Economic analysis of
LANDSCAPE FEATURES IN AUSTRALIA’S 20 MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES
NERIDA CONISBEE RAY WHITE CHIEF ECONOMIST
Australia’s most expensive homes reveal as much about their owners through what’s missing in their landscapes as through what’s included. While these properties feature sophisticated swimming pools, formal gardens, and elaborate privacy solutions, they notably lack elements like flying foxes (zip lines), adventure playgrounds, or recreational areas designed for children and teenagers.
This absence reflects the demographic profile of ultra-wealthy property purchasers in Australia, who have traditionally tended to be older. Their outdoor spaces function primarily as extensions of adult-oriented indoor living - prioritising sophisticated entertainment zones, visual impact, and privacy rather than diverse family recreational areas.
For this analysis, we examined the outdoor spaces of the 20 highest-priced properties sold in Australia over the past 12 months. This review identified eight key landscape features that characterise premium properties.
Key landscape findings
1. ARCHITECTURAL SWIMMING POOLS
(80 per cent prevalence)
Swimming pools in premium properties are no longer just recreational features but architectural statements requiring substantial six-figure investments. The prevalence of infinity edges, glass walls, and dramatic lighting systems reflects calculated decisions about property differentiation and view maximisation. One Palm Beach property featured a cantilevered pool extending toward the ocean horizon, seemingly floating in space while creating a visual connection between built and natural environments.
The economics are compelling: while a standard pool might add marginal value to an average home, an architecturally integrated water feature in a premium property creates a multiplier effect, enhancing both the immediate living experience and the property’s market positioning. Our analysis shows these distinctive water features typically deliver value well beyond their implementation costs when thoughtfully integrated into the overall design concept.
2. SOPHISTICATED PRIVACY SOLUTIONS
(95 per cent prevalence)
Avoiding prying eyes through strategic landscaping represents one of the most consistent investments across luxury properties. Rather than utilitarian fencing, premium properties employ layered approaches combining mature specimen trees, architectural hedging, and topographic modifications to create security without visual barriers.
One Point Piper property used mature tree transplantation and green wall installations to create complete privacy from neighbouring properties while maintaining harbour views. The prevalence of these sophisticated screening solutions demonstrates their perceived value in the luxury market, where privacy combined with outlook represents a premium combination that significantly enhances property valuation.
3. CLIMATE-ADAPTIVE FORMAL GARDENS
(75 per cent prevalence)
The economic analysis of garden design reveals fascinating adaptations of European formal aesthetics to Australian conditions. Premium properties consistently feature structured garden rooms and formal layouts executed with native and Mediterranean plant species selected for drought tolerance, creating a balance between traditional luxury garden aesthetics and practical environmental considerations.
These formal gardens represent substantial ongoing investments, with annual maintenance costs often exceeding six figures. However, this spending pattern indicates that established gardens with mature elements create significant competitive advantages in the luxury market.
4. MULTI-FUNCTIONAL OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT ZONES
(85 per cent prevalence)
Luxury properties increasingly feature comprehensive outdoor living environments that function as extensions of interior spaces. These areas include fully-equipped outdoor kitchens, weather- protected dining spaces, and integrated audiovisual systems. The most exceptional properties create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments while maintaining consistent design language and material quality.
From an investment perspective, these outdoor entertainment zones effectively increase a property’s usable living space at a lower per-square-metre cost than interior expansion.
5. SUSTAINABLE LUXURY FEATURES
(50 per cent prevalence)
Half of the analysed properties featured significant sustainable landscape elements, indicating a growing value proposition for environmental features in the premium market. Advanced rainwater harvesting systems, solar arrays integrated into architectural elements, and comprehensive native plantings represent substantial investments that deliver both practical benefits and market differentiation.
A Mosman property incorporated a water management system that retained most rainfall on-site while supporting extensive gardens. This investment created both operational efficiency and resilience against water restrictions, positioning the property advantageously in a market increasingly concerned with sustainability and self- sufficiency.
6. WATERFRONT INTEGRATION STRATEGIES
(55 per cent prevalence)
For properties with water frontage, specialised landscape elements that mediate between built and natural environments were popular. Private beaches, custom boating facilities, and engineered seawalls represent substantial investments that directly enhance lifestyle utility and property distinctiveness.
One Palm Beach property featured a private beach, along with a custom- designed boathouse that doubled as a self- contained guest pavilion. These waterfront integration elements can require a seven- figure investment.
7. STRATEGIC LIGHTING AS DESIGN ELEMENT
(80 per cent prevalence)
Landscape lighting in premium properties transcends simple illumination and becomes sophisticated architectural elements. Computer-modelled lighting systems highlighting specimen trees, water features, and architectural elements represent substantial technical investments. These systems create dramatic nighttime environments that effectively double the property’s visual appeal by creating entirely different day and night experiences.
One Rose Bay property included timers and environmental sensors, creating programmable lighting scenes that responded to seasons and weather conditions. While representing a significant capital allocation, these systems create distinctive nighttime environments that substantially extend usable outdoor time and enhance overall property presence.
8. TENNIS COURTS
(30 per cent prevalence)
Interestingly, our analysis revealed relatively low prevalence of dedicated recreational facilities beyond swimming pools. Only 30 per cent of properties featured tennis courts, reflecting important demographic insights about the luxury property market.
The limited presence of these recreational elements likely reflects the demographic profile of ultra-wealthy property purchasers, who tend to be older with adult children. This pattern indicates a preference for entertainment spaces suited to mature social interaction rather than family-oriented recreational facilities. Properties featuring tennis courts typically marketed them as part of wellness programs rather than family recreation, reflecting buyer priorities focused on adult lifestyle rather than children’s activities.
