Tropical safari-themed backyard makeover

mydreamgarden6688-50

🖼️

The project:

After my Mum passed away I wanted to create something special for Dad a peaceful place where he could enjoy his afternoon glass of wine. What started as a simple backyard makeover became so much more. Dad, now almost 90, has an incredible eye and designed a pipe from our rainwater tank to feed both water features. He still chooses where every new statue belongs. Together we’ve spent countless hours planting, moving rocks and watching our tropical Sanctuary grow. It’s no longer just a backyard it’s where we spend time together and make our happiness memories.

- Materials:

Scott’s Osmocote 50l premium potting mix

Brighton Masonry charcoal pavers 300x300 x 40mm

Paving sand 20kgs

Weed mat, Garden gloves, spade, Shovel, Solar pumps, Holman Irrigation, Elephant plants, Bromeliads, bougainvillea, Birds nest, bird of paradise, Garden mulch, colourful ceramic pots & matching saucers, Pine Sleepers

- Tools:

Wheel barrow , spade, Trolly, Secateurs, rake, bucket PVC Glue, Stanley Knife, Garden Hose, Shovel, Mattock

- Step 1:

cleaned down the fence to give the whole space a fresh starting point

- Step 2:

Laid a garden hose out in the middle of the backyard and moved it around until I had a circle I wanted

- Step 3:

Marked out the garden bed, put down weed mat to kill the grass.
Then put the pine sleepers around

- Step 4:

Laid concrete pavers to create a place to sit

- Step 5:

Filled the garden up with potting mix

Planted out the garden beds with Tropical plants with colour and were also low maintenance

- Step 6:

filled spaces with colourful pots & matching saucers

Added the statues, including the Gorilla

- Step 7:

installed two water features with solar pumps and ran irrigation piping from the water tank to both so they could both run on tank water

- Step 8:

Added solar lights & solar spotlights so the garden looks just as good in the evening

- Step 9:

The final result

I still can’t believe I created this space. Dad & i love to sit outside in my Jungle Oasis

I think my favourite thing about my garden is the round circle garden where it all started to come to life

Also in loving memory of Mum my sister gave me this beautiful memorial of Mum to sit in the front of my garden

EricL

Hello @mydreamgarden6688-50

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

What a beautiful tribute to your family and the memories you've created together. Transforming an ordinary backyard into a lush tropical safari retreat has taken incredible vision, and every garden bed, water feature and carefully chosen statue adds to the peaceful atmosphere. It's especially heartwarming that your dad has played such an important role in shaping the space, from designing the water system to choosing where each new feature belongs. The result is far more than a stunning garden, it's a place filled with love, connection and treasured moments together.

Thank you so much for sharing this amazing project with the community.

Eric