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Outdoor Entertaining Areas Melbourne — Ideas & Cost Guide

By Antonio PrimeScape  |  April 2026  |  63 five-star reviews

Melbourne's lifestyle is built around outdoor living — but getting the design and execution right makes the difference between a space you use every weekend and one that collects leaves. Here's what we've learned from building hundreds of outdoor entertaining areas across Melbourne.

Getting the Size Right

The most common mistake is undersizing. A 3x3m (9m²) patio looks generous in a backyard but is crowded with a table for four. Our rule of thumb:

• Dining area only: Minimum 3m x 4m (12m²)
• Dining + BBQ: 4m x 5m (20m²)
• Dining + BBQ + lounge: 5m x 6m+ (30m²+)

Drainage Is Critical

Every paved entertaining area must fall away from the house at a minimum 1:80 gradient. This is non-negotiable. We've seen many DIY jobs and cheap contractor installs where water pools against the house — this causes damp, foundation issues, and eventual cracking. It's one of the things we're most strict about on our jobs.

Material Choice for Alfresco Areas

Sawn bluestone: Slip-resistant, elegant, suits contemporary and traditional homes. Gets warm in direct sun but cools quickly. Our most popular choice for premium alfresco areas.

Travertine: Beautiful warm tone, very popular for that Mediterranean entertaining area look. Needs sealing every 3–4 years.

Clay brick pavers: Warm tone, durable, easy to extend or repair. Our recommendation for value-focused projects.

Large-format porcelain: Modern, clean look, zero maintenance (no sealing needed). Requires a perfectly level mortar base — not suitable for DIY.

Budget Guide for a 20m² Paved Entertaining Area

• Brick pavers: $2,500–$4,000 (materials + labour, no demo)
• Bluestone: $3,500–$5,500
• Travertine: $3,000–$5,000

These are paving-only figures. Add a pergola/patio roof and you're looking at an additional $6,000–$20,000 depending on the structure.