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How to make steep backyard more accessible?

Kia Ora Team!

I'm looking for some advice on how I could flatten/make the garden more accessible. I've considered putting terraces - essentially mini retaining walls.

We have considered putting in three rectangular flattened sections.

I'm open to any ideas!

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Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @SamB,

Thanks for sharing the photo, that really helps. You’ve got a fairly steep site there with the building already elevated on posts, so terracing is absolutely the right line of thinking if you want to make the space more usable and safer to move around.

Given the slope and what looks like loose fill and weed mat already in place, trying to “flatten” it in one go wouldn’t be realistic or stable. Creating a series of stepped terraces with small retaining walls is the most practical and durable solution. Three rectangular platforms is a sensible idea, and it would let you break the height into manageable sections rather than fighting the whole slope at once. Each terrace can then be designed with a clear purpose, for example access paths, planting areas, or even a small lawn or seating zone.

From the photo, drainage will be critical. Any retaining walls you install will need proper drainage behind them so water doesn’t build up and push them over time. That usually means free-draining material like crushed rock behind the wall, geotextile to keep soil out, and a way for water to escape downslope. Without this, even well-built walls can fail. Because you’re already seeing erosion and exposed soil, addressing water movement will make a big difference to long-term stability.

In terms of materials, you could go with treated timber sleepers for a more natural look or concrete sleepers for maximum longevity. The height of each mini retaining wall matters too. Keeping individual walls relatively low makes them easier to build, cheaper, and less likely to need engineering approval, depending on your local council rules.

Access between levels is another thing to think through early. Steps built into the terraces or along one side will make the space far more practical than relying on the slope itself. Given the building above, you may also want to think about how water currently runs off the roof and where it ends up, as that will affect how the new garden beds behave.

You’re definitely on the right track, and this is a project that can be staged over time rather than done all at once. If you can sketch out roughly where you’re thinking the three flat sections would go and how high each one might be, that would make it much easier to give you more specific guidance on wall types, heights, and construction details.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

SamB

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60998#Comment_60998

Kia Ora Mitchell.

Thanks for your reply. We have just finished clearing the area more and have done some measurements. We've decided on doing two terraces. Ive made some preliminary markings with stakes to give me an idea on size (please ignore how wonky they are!!) Here are their measurements.

Left side is 3m

Right side is 3.5m

Front and Back is 5.5m

The questions I have are,

1) Would it be best to have the upper terrace its own structure, or is it okay to have it connected to the posts of the shed above?

2) Do you think two terraces would be good with the measurements I included?

3) Is there an easy option to creating a staircase? Ive seen lengths of wood with steps pre cut in them (you essentially just need to attach steps to them) - If that is still a thing!

Hopefully you can see the pegs and string in the below photos.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93106#Comment_93106

You'll need to install independent posts for the top terrace, which will be the ones doing the heavy lifting. The sheds posts would not have been designed to hold back soil.

Two terraces should work with the dimensions you’ve given, but it’s worth checking local regulations on maximum retaining wall heights before you start, because if the walls end up taller than allowed, you may need engineering approval. Two terraces will mean each retaining section is taller than if you had three, so it’s best to confirm it’s doable as a DIY project in your area.

For the staircase, the easiest approach is usually to cut the steps into the slope itself and use sleepers to form each step and tread. You can then fill the treads with gravel for a clean finish. While pre-cut stair stringers exist, they’re generally designed for above-ground use, not for terraces built into the slope. On a terraced area like yours, building the stairs into the slope with sleepers will give you the strongest and most natural-looking result.

Mitchell

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93106#Comment_93106

Hi @SamB,

You might get some further inspiration from one of our most popular projects on the site from last year - Tiered makeover for steep backyard by @Spackle48.

Jason

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