At Shaw Landscape Group, we spend our days designing and building landscapes that actually work for life on the NSW South Coast. From salty sea breezes in Wollongong to the warmer pockets of the Shoalhaven, local gardens need to be tough, functional and easy to enjoy.
Looking ahead to 2026, landscaping trends across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are all about sustainability, low-maintenance design and outdoor spaces that feel good to live in — not just look good on Instagram.
Here’s the top 2026 landscaping trends we’re seeing (and building) across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Gerringong and what homeowners are asking for now more than ever.
Gardens along the Illawarra and Shoalhaven coastlines need to handle wind, salt spray, sandy soils and sudden weather shifts. In 2026, we’re seeing a big move toward coastal‑tough planting palettes that embrace local conditions instead of fighting them.
Layered planting using hardy shrubs, grasses and groundcovers creates gardens that stay lush year‑round
with far less upkeep.
Native landscaping continues to be on trend in 2026 — but it’s not just for bush blocks anymore. Homeowners are choosing native plants best suited for the Illawarra and South Coast that support wildlife, reduce water use and still deliver a rustic yet, modern look.
Well‑designed native gardens can be structured, relaxed or somewhere in between — and they thrive in our local climate.
This one’s huge for 2026: designing for lower potable water use—think smart plant choices, better soil prep, mulching, and efficient irrigation.
Many homeowners are also integrating rainwater tanks and automated or WiFi enabled irrigation systems into their landscapes to keep gardens healthy while lowering water bills. It’s all about efficiency, convenience and protecting your landscape investment.
Lawns aren’t disappearing… but they’re definitely shrinking. In 2026, people want space back for entertaining, fire pits, plunge pools, veggie beds, and dog zoomies. This trend lines up with the broader push in Australian garden design toward multi-purpose outdoor spaces and practical, sustainable choices.
The result? Lower maintenance and more ways to actually enjoy your backyard.
Outdoor rooms are becoming a must‑have across Illawarra and Shoalhaven homes. Decks, pergolas, built‑in seating and outdoor kitchens are being designed as natural extensions of the house. When done right, these spaces add value and create year‑round usability — even in coastal conditions.
We’re seeing more lifestyle landscaping on the South Coast—especially where the view is doing half the decorating already (hello escarpment + ocean outlooks).
More of our clients are asking for gardens that support birds, bees and local wildlife. Biodiversity‑friendly landscapes focus on habitat planting, seasonal flowering and reduced chemical use.
These gardens don’t just look great — they help create healthier ecosystems and more resilient outdoor spaces.
With heavier rainfall events becoming more and more common, permeable paving and rain gardens are growing fast in popularity. These solutions help manage stormwater naturally, helping to slow water down, manage it effectively and put it to good use, while adding texture and visual interest with added green space to the landscape.
This is the sweet spot trend: gardens that look relaxed and layered, but still well designed. Australian 2026 trend forecasts keep circling back to wellbeing, sustainability, and gardens that feel meaningful and realistic—
not high-maintenance showpieces.
Think layered planting, softer edges and natural materials — all carefully planned to stay low‑maintenance. It’s a style that suits South Coast homes perfectly and ages beautifully over time.
Edible gardens are becoming a design feature, not an afterthought. Raised veggie beds, espaliered fruit trees and herb gardens are being seamlessly integrated into overall landscape designs.
It fits right into the multi-use, wellbeing-driven garden trend direction.
In 2026 “new” will no longer be synonymous with “better”. Landscape designers are embracing the beauty of weathering, anticipating materials to shift, soften & tell the story of time.
Think oxidised corten steel or naturally greyed off hardwood. The use of specific materials that age gracefully is growing and we are building with the understanding that the final aesthetic comes not from paint, but time itself.
In the Illawarra, slopes are just part of life — so in 2026, we’re finally stopping the fight and leaning into them.
Rather than flattening blocks into submission, great landscape design now uses elevation to create layered garden spaces. Think terraced lawns, stepped paths, split-level entertaining areas and planting that reveals itself as you move through the site.
When done properly, changing levels become part of the experience, not a headache. Slopes add interest, improve drainage and help define how outdoor spaces are used.
Bottom line? Let’s live with the land, not against it. The best Illawarra landscapes are the ones that work with their terrain.
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Thinking About Updating Your Landscape in 2026?
If you’re planning a landscape upgrade in the Illawarra or Shoalhaven, focusing on local plants, water efficiency and functional outdoor spaces is the smartest place to start.
Do these three things and your garden instantly feels updated:
- Reduce lawn and widen your entertaining zone
- Switch to local/coastal-tough plants
- Mulch + upgrade irrigation (bonus points if rainwater can feed it)
At Shaw Landscape Group, we design and build custom landscapes that suit your home, lifestyle and local conditions. If you’re ready to future‑proof your garden for 2026 and beyond, we’d love to help.
Click HERE to get in touch with our friendly team today.