Native Australian Garden & Boardwalk in Forrest

November 2022

The great thing about our recycled timber is the life it’s already led. Every piece has its own unique markings, perhaps from its tree days, or its second life in a building, factory, wharf, bridge, telegraph pole, or any number of other forms it may have taken.

Using timber from Thor’s Hammer, Lachlan Richardson designed and created this garden and rustic recycled timber boardwalk in Forrest, Canberra.

Built on top of a dry creek bed, the boardwalk takes visitors on a journey through a vibrant mass of native Australian wildflowers and large river rocks.

Typical of Lachlan’s design style, the layout invites curiosity in the garden details, and reminds visitors to pause, and to rejuvenate.

Underneath the boardwalk, rainwater harvesting trenches were installed to store water for potential dry spells in the future. The raised boardwalk also helps to avoid interruptions to the natural flow of water into the dry creek bed.

Solid lengths of 150 x 50mm recycled mixed Australian hardwoods were used, including a mix of Ironbark / Dense Reds, Blackbutt / Dense Browns, and Spotted Gum. The timber was salvaged from housing demolitions, and these particular pieces are old floor joists (structural pieces of timber that are laid horizontally underneath floorboards, to provide support).

Strong and durable, the species used are ideal for exterior projects like this one. The pieces of timber have been left untreated to patina and weather in the sun giving them a slight ‘silver’ look that helps them blend into the surrounding landscape. The boardwalk outside of the Thor’s Hammer Workshop & Showroom is a similar example, if you want to come and check it out.