How Much Does a New Lawn Actually Cost?

Sometimes people ask us about shade tolerance.

Sometimes they ask about wear tolerance.

Sometimes they want to know which turf variety is best for kids, pets, or a backyard cricket pitch.

But our most common question, before we even start talking about turf varieties, square metres, and whether any services are required:

“What's the pocket damage?”

And honestly, fair enough. You're going to spend a lot of time looking at your lawn, enjoying your lawn, and a varying amount of time maintaining it. It's a big call to make and (hopefully a lifelong) investment.

Unfortunately, it's not one we can answer without knowing:

1. How big is your yard?

2. Which turf variety are you picking?

3. Are you adding services?

To show you how much those three factors can move the price, let's run through two example scenarios.

Two lawns, two different price tags

Kylie wants 200m² of Sir Walter DNA Certified. She prepped her yard in advance, picked up the turf for free from our Brendale storefront with her ute, and took the day off work to lay it. At $14.50/m², Kylie's new lawn comes to $2,900, because she's doing everything else herself; she's just paying for the turf.

Keith also wants 200m² of Sir Walter DNA Certified, and he wants the full-service experience. His turf is the same $2,900. Keith doesn't have a suitable vehicle, so he opts for delivery to Noosa Waters for $220. On top of that, he adds professional installation for $440 and a full site preparation (old lawn removed, soil levelled, drainage improved, All-Rounder fertiliser applied) for an estimated $5,000 (incl. GST). Keith's new lawn comes to $8,560.

As you can see, price isn't a sweeping answer. Now, there are people with a small yard, people with acreage, some that Sir Grange Zoysia and others opt for Couch and that number is going to yo-yo. The price is a reflection of size, variety, and how much of the job you want to DIY or go pro for.

[A quick note on Keith's prep cost: preparation jobs always require an on-site visit, because every yard is different; things like slope, soil condition, and access all impact the time and resources the project will require. The figure above is a genuine starting point to give you an idea.]

Factor 1: How big is your yard?

Turf is priced per square metre, so the bigger the space you're turfing, the higher the turf cost. Simple.

The good news: pickup is free no matter what, and our delivery is based on zoning.

If you're not sure exactly how many square metres you're working with, our area calculator will give you a guide.

Factor 2: Which variety are you picking?

Our turf varieties vary in price based on the time and resources required to grow them, the research and development behind the variety, and the premium benefits they offer.

Every variety we stock is chosen for one reason: performance in Australian conditions.

We're a Lawn Solutions Australia member and AusGAP (Australian Genetic Assurance Program) certified. AusGAP ensures strict quality standards, meaning our turf:

• Is grown and harvested to certified standards

• Is free from weeds and disease on delivery

• Is prepared to perform at its best in your yard

Here's our range and the price tag attached to each one:

• Nullarbor Couch $7.00/m²
• TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda $13.28/m²
• Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo $14.50/m²
• Zoysia Australis $14.50/m²
• Stampede Hybrid Buffalo Grass* $15.50/m²
• Sir Grange Zoysia $24.00/m²

There's a big difference between our most affordable and most premium options - because there's a big difference between the turf itself. The right pick comes down to how shady your yard is, foot traffic, the look you're after, whether you have pets, need something hypoallergenic, and more. Not just the upfront number (more on that below).

*Stampede Hybrid Buffalo Grass is currently on Limited Release (July 2026). For availability, please contact our office at 1300 781 175.

Factor 3: Are you adding services?

At GoTurf, we can be as hands-on or as hands-off as you need.

• Turf pickup from our Brendale storefront or the GoTurf farm is free. GoTurf Brendale (57/109 Leitchs Rd, Brendale QLD 4500) is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, 7:30 am – 1:00 pm. The farm is by appointment only, so please stick to the pickup times you're provided with.

• Turf delivery is based on how far your turf is travelling. Fees vary by zone and will be calculated at checkout, or you can use our postcode checker on our delivery page. You'll also be able to select your preferred delivery day at checkout.

• Installation varies with how many square metres you're purchasing and is calculated automatically at checkout. Regardless of whether you opt for installation or DIY, turf must be laid the same day as delivery or pickup.

• Preparation starts from $1,800, but always requires a site visit since soil condition, drainage, and what's being removed vary so much from yard to yard.

Consider the ongoing cost, not just the upfront price

Here's the part people often miss: a cheaper lawn upfront doesn't necessarily mean a cheaper lawn to maintain.

Nullarbor Couch is our most budget-friendly variety per square metre, but it's also a fast-growing, full-sun grass with the highest fertiliser appetite of anything we stock.

• Zoysia varieties (Sir Grange & Zoysia Australis): These hardy grasses thrive with minimal feeding; seasonal applications are plenty. We recommend Pro Plus or Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser.

• TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda: This drought-tolerant variety needs fertiliser as little as twice a year. More frequent feeding can actually create maintenance headaches like thatch. GoTurf All Rounder Fertiliser and LSA Premium Lawn Fertiliser are both ideal.

• Sir Walter DNA Certified: Seasonal applications cover maintenance, but increase to every 4–6 weeks during the growing season for premium results. We recommend  GoTurf All Rounder Fertiliser and LSA Premium Lawn Fertiliser.

• Nullarbor Couch: Nullarbor has higher maintenance requirements than our other varieties. During summer, it's best to mow every 5–7 days to keep it from spreading where it's not wanted. Fertilise seasonally to maintain a dense, vigorous sward, but increase to every 4–6 weeks during the growing season for premium results. We recommend GoTurf All Rounder Fertiliser and LSA Premium Lawn Fertiliser.

To put that in dollars: a 10kg bucket of GoTurf All Rounder Fertiliser ($66) covers up to 500m². If your 500m² Zoysia or TifTuf lawn only needs that two or three times a year, you're looking at roughly $132–$198 annually on fertiliser. A Nullarbor Couch lawn fed every 4–6 weeks through the growing season can roughly double that spend over a year, on top of the extra mowing a fast-growing couch demands.

None of this means Couch isn't a great option. For a full-sun yard where you don't mind the extra upkeep, it absolutely is. It just means the cheapest turf per square metre isn't automatically the cheapest lawn over five or ten years, and that's worth keeping in mind if price is your biggest determining factor.

Get an accurate number for your yard

Every lawn is different, and the only way to get a true cost is to punch in your square metreage, variety, and services. You can use our online area calculator as a starting point, then head to our turf range to find the right fit. Our team is always here to help you with making a call on the variety and working out the cost. Our store and office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Saturday, 7:30 am – 1:00 pm. You can give us a call on 1300 781 175, email us at sales@goturf.com.au, or pop into GoTurf Brendale and we’ll help you find and price the yard of your dreams.

Prices in this article are current as of July 2026. Turf, fertiliser, and all other costs can shift over time. If you're reading this well after publication, give us a call or check our site for up-to-date pricing.