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Table Of Contents
Property
Daylesford House 5
Style
Modern Entertainer
Location
Daylesford, Victoria,
Australia
Year
2025
Design Notes

1,000m² backyard, designed and built for The Block Daylesford. 9.5/10.

Services & Products from this project

Daylesford House 5, The Block

Modern landscape courtyard with basalt stepping stones, outdoor daybed, and steel-clad buildings at Daylesford House 5
Modern Entertainer
Silver award badge for The Block Season 21, House 5, scoring 9.5 out of 10 and achieving 2nd Place Backyard Week in Daylesford 2025, framed by laurel wreath graphics.

Summary

We transformed over 1,000m2 of bare earth on The Block Daylesford into a layered, entertainment focused landscape with a Pickleball court, statement fireplace and mature Bottle Tree. Scoring 9.5/10 from the judges, it was technically the highest scoring garden of Backyard Week.

Published April 6, 2026
Special Thank you to:

The Block (Channel 9) – Broadcast Partner
Contestants: Robby and Mat
Trendz (fireplace brand/item awarded during competition)
Palm Life (25-year-old Bottle Tree supplier)
Straightcurve (edging product/brand)

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Property
Daylesford House 5
Style
Modern Entertainer
Location
Daylesford, Victoria,
Australia
Year
2025
Design Notes

1,000m² backyard, designed and built for The Block Daylesford. 9.5/10.

Over 1,000 square metres of bare earth. Tight timelines. Cameras rolling.

When Robby and Mat engaged us for The Block Daylesford, the brief was clear. Create a backyard that feels established, generous and ready to entertain. And do it under competition pressure.

The design needed to balance impact with liveability. A space for long lunches. Family gatherings. Quiet evenings by the fire.

A full sized Pickleball court and a statement Trendz fireplace, both secured during the competition, became key anchors within the layout. To counterbalance these strong hardscape elements, we introduced a magnificent 25 year old Bottle Tree sourced from Palm Life. It grounds the space instantly. Mature. Sculptural. Unmistakably Australian.

The site’s natural slope wasn’t something to fight. We shaped it into sweeping planes of lawn that draw the eye outward, softened by curved garden beds edged in Straightcurve steel for clarity and structure. Basalt steppers float through textured aggregate paths, weaving between dichondra groundcovers and layered planting that blends native and deciduous species for year round colour and movement.

Strategically placed boulders introduce vertical punctuation, giving the garden weight and presence.

The result scored 9.5 out of 10 from all four judges. Technically the highest scoring garden of Backyard Week. A surprise bonus point twist shifted the official win, but the design speaks for itself.

It feels relaxed. Refined. Perfectly at home in Daylesford.

Landscape Design & Planning

Aerial landscape design plan showing pool, pickleball court and garden layout for Daylesford House 5 from The Block
Over 1,000 square metres planned around a full-sized pickleball court and resort-style pool. Curved lawn areas flow between structured garden beds, with the mature Bottle Tree anchoring the entertainment zone.
Modern outdoor fireplace with wood storage flanked by curved lawn areas and native plantings at Daylesford House 5
The Trendz fireplace anchors the entertainment zone, with curved lawn planes drawing the eye outward across the slope. Basalt steppers weave through textured paths between native and deciduous layers.
3D design render showing modern backyard with curved lawns, fireplace, outdoor seating and timber deck at Daylesford
Curved lawn planes flow around the central fireplace, creating natural gathering zones. Timber decking extends the indoor living space while basalt steppers weave through textured paths.
3D aerial render showing complete landscape design for The Block Daylesford House 5 with pickleball court and pool area
The full 1,000m2 design laid out for The Block House 5, with curved lawn areas flowing around the pickleball court and pool pavilion. We shaped the natural slope into entertainment zones that feel both generous and intimate.

Behind the Build & Progress

Two landscape construction workers in orange safety vests and caps posing with tools on The Block Daylesford project site
We built over 1,000m2 of entertainment landscape under competition pressure, shaping natural slopes into sweeping lawn planes anchored by mature plantings.
Construction crew in high-vis safety vests posing together during landscape construction work at The Block Daylesford
Our crew delivered over 1,000m2 of landscape transformation under competition pressure. The team shaped natural slopes into entertainment zones around a Pickleball court and statement fireplace.
Landscaper in hi-vis vest and sunglasses with wheelbarrow full of plants during The Block Daylesford construction
Construction phase energy shows the scale of planting going into this 1,000m2 transformation. We moved mature specimens and layered plantings across the site to create instant establishment.
Two landscaping team members in high-vis vests celebrating with thumbs up at The Block Daylesford House 5 project site
Celebrating the highest technical score of Backyard Week - 9.5/10 from all four judges. We transformed over 1,000m2 of bare earth into an entertainment-focused landscape.
Large basalt boulders positioned throughout native garden beds with gravel paths and modern house backdrop in Daylesford
Basalt boulders anchor the planting beds, creating sculptural moments that feel naturally weathered into the landscape. Curved steel edging holds the garden's shape while natives establish.
Construction workers installing black circular water feature with bench seating during The Block Daylesford landscape build
The circular water feature takes shape as we balance hardscape anchors with the softer planting layers. Strategic placement creates a focal point that grounds the entertaining zone.
Circular black water feature with spout and lily pads surrounded by native grasses and basalt boulders in Daylesford garden
Water flows gently into the circular basin, creating movement and sound while native grasses frame the feature with texture and seasonal colour.
Construction workers operating skid steer loader on earthworks at The Block Daylesford House 5 landscape project site
Ground preparation shapes the foundation for our 1,000m2 Block transformation. Precise earthworks create the levels needed for the Pickleball court and sweeping lawn planes.
Two workers in high-vis vests preparing wheelbarrows with soil and materials at The Block Daylesford construction site
Materials staged and ready for the 1,000m2 transformation. We worked with tight timelines and camera pressure to deliver a garden that scored 9.5/10 from judges.
Construction workers in high-vis orange installing landscape features with excavator and boulders at Daylesford site
Boulder placement and earthworks shape the foundations of what becomes a 9.5/10 scoring backyard. We worked under pressure to deliver over 1,000m2 of entertainment-focused landscape for The Block.
Construction crew with mini excavator and curved pool installation at The Block Daylesford House 5 project site
Curved pool shell takes shape as we work the 1,000m2 site transformation. The excavator positions materials precisely within the tight television production timeline.
JCB telehandler positioning 25-year-old bottle tree during landscape construction at Daylesford House 5 on The Block
The 25-year-old bottle tree from Palm Life anchors the entertainment space immediately, bringing mature scale to balance the pickleball court and fireplace.
Large machinery transplanting mature bottle tree with workers in high-vis at Daylesford construction site
The 25-year-old Bottle Tree arrives by crane, instantly grounding the space with mature presence. We positioned it to anchor the entertainment zone while the Pickleball court takes shape behind.
Construction crew with excavator working on landscape earthworks at The Block Daylesford House 5 project site
Site preparation for over 1,000m2 of landscape transformation. We shaped the natural slope into sweeping lawn planes and garden beds before installing the Pickleball court and mature plantings.
Construction workers in high-vis using mini excavator with timber boxing frames for concrete footings at Daylesford site
Timber boxing frames mark out the concrete footings while we shape the natural slope into entertainment zones. The raw earth becomes structured outdoor rooms.
Modern black house with integrated Pickleball court, mature Bottle Tree and curved garden beds in Daylesford
The full-sized Pickleball court anchors this 1,000m2 transformation, balanced by a sculptural 25-year-old Bottle Tree. Curved beds soften the hardscape while basalt steppers weave through textured paths.
By: Paal Grant
Paal Grant is a regional Victorian landscape designer specialising in intelligent, low-maintenance acreage gardens that integrate architecture, climate and long-term performance across complex rural sites.

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