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Child Item

Backyard transformation with kid-friendly play zones

JDX

🖼️

The project:

A backyard overrun by invasive bamboo that had become a muddy, uneven space our kids could barely enjoy. Rather than simply covering up the problem, I decided to remove every rhizome I could find, install root barriers, and establish two safe play zones designed to last.

I transformed an unusable bamboo-infested backyard into two clean, low-maintenance play zones with a Merbau walkway leading to a custom-built cubby house and another zone for junior sports. The backyard has become the heart of our home, with room for backyard cricket, footy, soccer, birthday parties, cubby adventures and everyday family memories

- Materials:

Materials Used

Timber and Building

https://www.bunnings.com.au/140-x-45mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-5-4m_p8032274 https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-45mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-2-4m_p8032172 https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-22mm-decking-h3-treated-pine-2-4m_p8032583 https://www.bunnings.com.au/200-x-50mm-2-4m-treated-pine-sleeper_p8032702

- Tools:

Power Tools: (Ozito, Ryobi, Paslode and AEG)

Hand Tools & Landscaping:

Safety Gear: Gloves, ear defenders, and safety glasses.

- Step 1:

Bamboo Removal (Zone 1): Excavated the first general play zone using a Trojan Mattock to hunt down and remove every trace of invasive rhizomes. Installed heavy-duty root barriers to ensure they are not likely to return. Added raised garden beds for finishing touch.

- Step 2:

Turf Base Preparation: Levelled, laid, and compacted the road base using a small plate compactor from the Bunnings Hire Shop. Topped it with grey crusher dust, then rolled and compacted it to a smooth flat finish

- Step 3:

Laying the Turf: Rolled out the artificial turf, secured it with turf pegs, and brushed in Ki-Carma turf sand. Selected plants added to planter boxes.

- Step 4:

Building the Cubby (Framing & Subfloor): Excavated and levelled the ground for the cubby site. Assembled the treated pine subfloor (145x45mm supports, 90x45mm joists) and constructed the 70x35mm wall framing. Added structural bracing to keep the cubby solid and square.

Constructed a seamless step-down transition from our existing main upper deck to a new lower Specrite Merbau walkway. This provides clean, safe access from the existing deck straight to the cubby.

- Step 5:

Second Artificial Grass zone, rhizome removal etc and QA Cat inspection

- Step 6:

Cubby finalisation

Installed the Colorbond roof with insulation underneath, finished cladding the exterior with weatherboards, and added custom touches: a marine-ply barn door, sliding Perspex windows, and upgraded safety steps. Painted the exterior with Dulux Weathershield for long-lasting weather protection. Paint on steps included anti-slip additive.

- Step 7:

Final QA Cat Sign Off

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Comments

EricL

Hello @JDX

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your backyard makeover project.

This is an incredible backyard transformation that has created the perfect space for family life. The custom raised garden beds, Merbau walkway and beautifully built cubby house all come together to create a backyard that's both practical and inviting, while the generous lawn provides plenty of room for games, celebrations and everyday fun. It's clear a great deal of planning and craftsmanship went into every stage, and the finished result is a fantastic outdoor space where lasting family memories will be made for years to come.

Again, thank you for sharing this amazing project.

Eric