Thank you @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for your comments. Much appreciated.

All materials apart from drainage gravel and decorative pebble from Bunnings. Used landscape supplier for gravels due to volume required. Pebble is ...

A compressor might be a good idea as we have a pretty large area and many coats. Thanks Poppop

Thanks r23on, good point about the ends. Many thanks

Thanks Razzer, I think sanding will be the key.

Many thanks Jason, looking forward to some sage advice.