When it comes to hardscaping your garden, the right choice of surface can transform the look, feel, and longevity of your outdoor space. Two of the most popular materials in Australian gardens are concrete pavers and natural stone — but how do you decide which is best for your needs?

In this guide, we compare both options across several key factors, including cost, appearance, durability, maintenance, and installation.

Concrete pavers and natural stone stack up when it comes to style, strength, cost, and care. Here’s a detailed breakdown on what each material brings so you can confidently shape your ideal garden space:

Concrete Pavers

• Available in a wide variety of colours, textures, and shapes
• Can mimic the look of stone, brick, or slate
• Perfect for cohesive, contemporary designs

Modern concrete pavers can be smooth, honed, or textured, giving you full control over the final look. Brands like Austral Masonry offer a consistent colour palette that matches retaining walls and garden edging.

Natural Stone

• Unique and varied in colour and grain
• Offers a premium, organic feel
• Common types: sandstone, bluestone, granite, travertine, limestone

Stone lends a timeless elegance but can be harder to match or expand later due to its natural variability.

Concrete Pavers

• More cost-effective per square metre
• Uniform size reduces installation time
• Ideal for large areas or tight budgets

Natural Stone

• Generally more expensive due to quarrying and processing
• May require sealing and special care
• Labour costs are often higher for installation

For most homeowners, concrete pavers offer a better balance of cost and quality, especially for large-scale paving projects.

Both materials are durable, but how they age and perform under pressure differs.

Concrete Pavers

• Strong compressive strength
• Designed for heavy foot or vehicle traffic
• Surface may wear over time, especially unsealed finishes

Natural Stone

• Extremely hard-wearing and weather-resistant
• Holds up well in harsh climates
• Can be prone to cracking if not installed correctly

Tip: Choose sealed or slip-resistant finishes for high-traffic or pool-adjacent areas.

Maintaining a garden can consume time and resources. In fact, Local Agent Finder shared that it costs up to AU$3,000 to landscape new plants with retaining walls. This is why choosing low-maintenance, durable materials can significantly reduce long-term upkeep.

Concrete Pavers

• Low maintenance when sealed
• Easy to replace individual damaged units
• Stains may occur if unsealed

Natural Stone

• Requires sealing (sometimes annually)
• Materials like limestone are more prone to staining from leaves, rust, or oils
• Some types are sensitive to harsh cleaning agents

If convenience is key, concrete pavers typically require less upkeep.

Concrete pavers are designed for faster, easier installation.

• Regular sizing allows for modular layout
• Ideal for DIY projects or tight timelines
• Lower waste due to fewer offcuts

Natural stone may need cutting, sorting by colour, and careful alignment — making professional installation more common.

Concrete pavers allow for:

• Custom shapes and geometric designs
• Mix-and-match formats
• Integration with edging, garden walls, and steps

Natural stone shines in more organic designs — curved paths, rustic patios, and heritage gardens.

Choose high quality concrete pavers if you want flexibility, consistency, and a modern aesthetic at a lower price point. But opt for natural stone if you're going for a luxury, timeless garden with a larger budget and long-term vision.

Here are some things you need to know about installing and maintaining concrete pavers:

Pavers can be installed directly on compacted ground (sand or gravel base), which allows for better drainage and flexibility. However, laying them over concrete can provide added stability in certain conditions, such as high-traffic areas or regions with shifting soil.

You can make your own concrete pavers using moulds, a concrete mix, and basic tools like a trowel and release agent. Although DIY pavers can be cost-effective and customisable, its quality may lack the consistency, strength, and finish quality of professionally manufactured options.

Concrete pavers are manufactured to be highly durable. These are less prone to cracking than poured concrete because they can flex with ground movement. If damage does occur, individual pavers can be replaced without disturbing the surrounding area.