For homeowners, schools and businesses across Brisbane, Gold Coast and South East Queensland, we know the battle of keeping your lawn looking lush and green all year round. Some years it rains so hard that your ground is always muddy and the grass gets ripped up by pets or kids running and playing sports. The next year it might be a dry year and between the lack of rain and the harsh Queensland sun, the grass and soil dries out to crispy brown and if not carefully tended to with watering and fertilising it will quickly die off and leave you with a brown, patchy outdoor area.

While the look of natural grass when healthy is fantastic, the time and monetary investment to maintain it can be a real drain. Between mowers, whipper snippers, fuel, fertiliser, watering and aerating, the costs can begin to add up. On the other hand, artificial grass (or synthetic turf), definitely has a higher initial investment cost, the long term savings of both time and money start to pay off.

Upfront Costs: Artificial Lawn vs Natural Grass

  • Artificial Grass Installation Cost
    On average, synthetic turf costs starting from $120 per square metre to supply and install. At Surface Pro Group, we install high-quality turf for residential yards, schools, childcare centres, and commercial projects across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The exact price can vary depending on site conditions—larger areas with good access typically reduce costs per square metre. More remote sites, with difficult access (for example we can’t get machines into the site, so works need to be done by hand) or if there are requirements for more base preparation can increase the cost as these types of installation are much more labour intensive.

  • Natural Lawn Installation Cost
    Laying natural grass is significantly cheaper upfront. Turf rolls like couch or buffalo grass usually cost between $7–$30 per square metre, plus installation and soil preparation. On a 100m² yard, natural turf might only cost $1,000–$1,500 to install, compared to approximately $12,000 for synthetic turf.

At first glance, natural grass looks like the cheaper option—but that’s only part of the picture.

Ongoing Maintenance and Running Costs

Where synthetic turf really shines is in the tally for your ongoing savings.

Artificial Lawn Maintenance

  • No mowing required – earn money by selling your old lawn mower!

  • No fertilisers or soil conditioners needed

  • No irrigation or sprinklers required

  • Occasional leaf blowing to remove debris and keep fibres upright

  • Quick rinse to clear away dust or pet mess

  • Every few years you may need to add some more sand to the artificial grass, especially if it’s in an area of heavy foot traffic or is subjected to significant rain or flooding. Adding more sand helps to keep the grass blades upright and keeps the grass firm underfoot.

In Brisbane and Gold Coast climates, where lawns struggle through hot summers and water restrictions, these savings add up fast. Over a 10-year period, maintenance costs for artificial grass are minimal compared to natural turf.

Natural Lawn Maintenance

  • Weekly or bi-weekly mowing in warmer months – this could be taking 30-90 minutes of your time depending on your yard.

  • Regular watering—average Brisbane lawn uses around 1,000–2,000 litres of water per week in a dry summer

  • Fertilising 3–4 times a year

  • Weed and pest control

  • Resurfacing or patching dead spots

For a 100m² lawn, you might easily spend:

  • $500–$700 annually on water (depending on your council)

  • $300–$500 on mowing or equipment (equipment, fuel and service costs)

  • $200–$400 on fertilisers and lawn care products

  • $100-$200 for seasonal treatments such as aeration, seeding, etc.

That’s around $1,000–$1,500 per year, or $10,000–$15,000 over a decade, and that isn’t factoring in the cost of your time to complete all these mowing, watering, and fertilising tasks!

Long Term Value

While the upfront cost of artificial lawn is significantly higher, the long term savings of both your time and money make it an appealing investment. A quality installation can last 15-20 years, with your turf staying green despite droughts, floods, pets or high foot traffic. For Childcare centres, families and schools artificial grass offers the peace of mind that these safe, even surfaces reduce trip hazards, mud and dirt.

When weight synthetic turf vs natural grass weighing your options comes down to your lifestyle:

Choose synthetic lawn if:

  • You want low maintenance, year round green lawn.
  • You live in areas with water restrictions (common in Brisbane and the Gold Coast summers).
  • You want durability and long term savings.

Choose natural grass if:

  • You prefer the look and feel of real lawn.
  • You enjoy mowing, watering, whipper snipping and fertilising.
  • You’re on a limited budget at the time of installation

At Surface Pro Group our artificial lawn installations are custom designed to work for your outdoor goals and your site. Get in touch with our team today if you’re ready to enjoy lush, low maintenance lawn all year round!