Case Study: Alpine and Secret Gardens

Secret Gardens of Sydney and Alpine have tackled a steep waterfront block on Sydney Harbour and turned it into a beautiful terraced garden.

This steeply sloping block on the water in the northern suburbs of Sydney is unique due to its size and the fact that it has not been subdivided like many of its neighbours.

Secret Gardens wanted to take advantage of this little slice of Sydney Harbour frontage by creating a beautiful and engaging walk from the back door of the house down to the water level. 

This journey, which was previously only possible by inclinator, spans a distance of approximately 200 metres as it traverses across a steep block that drops about 40 metres from street level to water level.

The house is very large and is a structural masterpiece and so Secret Gardens’ focus was purely horticultural minimising the constructed elements in the garden and creating a botanical experience where the plants take centre stage.

The biggest challenge, of course, was site access.  Materials were brought in by hand, by barge and via a 100 tonne crane with its 58 metre boom arm only just reaching over the house.

The main construction materials were sandstone for the walling and paving and timber for the decking.  Stairs and extra inclinator stations were added so that people can access and enjoy all the level lawn areas that Secret Gardens managed to create on this 60 degree sloping block.

Alpine Nurseries supplied all the plants for the gardens and the end result, as you can see from the pictures is stunning.

Matt Cantwell of Secret Gardens noted that “Of course the stock had to be the best, we expect that from Alpine on all of our jobs but most importantly we needed to know that they would be able to accommodate our requirements with regards to deliveries to barges as well as being able have their truck wait around as the crane slowly delivered extensive plant supply over the house in a cage to the lower levels of the garden.  We use Alpine because we know that apart from great plants they provide a fantastic service.  Many of our jobs are difficult; we need them to work with us to solve the logistics.” 

Secret Gardens considers Alpine Nurseries to be an integral part of the service they provide to their clients and part of their professional team.