Australian Character, Timeless Appeal
Sandstone
Australia has some of the world's finest sandstone deposits — and sandstone has been shaping Australian architecture and landscapes for over 200 years. Its warm, earthy tones and natural texture make it the most distinctively Australian of all building materials.
Origin
Australia (NSW, QLD, SA), India, South Africa
Hardness (Mohs)
6–7
Porosity
Medium
Finishes
Natural Split, Sawn, Honed, Sandblasted, Tumbled
What is Sandstone?
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed from sand grains cemented together by minerals over millions of years. The colour of sandstone is determined by the minerals present during formation — iron oxides create the warm reds, oranges, and yellows; silica creates the cooler creams and greys.
Australian sandstone is among the finest in the world. The Sydney Basin produces a distinctive golden-yellow sandstone that has defined the character of Sydney's historic buildings. Queensland's Helidon sandstone offers warm buff tones. South Australian bluestone (technically a sandstone variant) is prized for its distinctive dark grey colour.
Sandstone's natural split surface creates a texture that is impossible to replicate artificially. Each piece has a unique surface character — the result of millions of years of geological formation, not a factory process.
Applications
Outdoor Paving & Pathways
Sandstone is Australia's most popular outdoor paving material. Its natural split surface provides excellent slip resistance, its warm tones complement Australian gardens and landscapes, and it handles the full range of Australian weather conditions with ease.
Retaining Walls & Garden Edging
Sandstone's natural layered structure makes it ideal for dry-stack retaining walls and garden edging. The irregular edges and natural colour variation create a look that blends seamlessly with the landscape.
Pool Surrounds
Sandstone's natural texture and heat-reflective properties make it an excellent pool surround material. Its warm tones complement the blue of pool water, and its natural surface stays comfortable underfoot even in summer.
Building Cladding & Feature Walls
Sandstone cladding gives buildings a connection to the Australian landscape that no other material can provide. From heritage restorations to contemporary new builds, sandstone cladding adds character and permanence.
Varieties We Stock
Add Sydney Golden image
NSW, Australia
Sydney Golden
The iconic golden-yellow sandstone of the Sydney Basin. Used in Sydney's most historic buildings and still quarried today — a true piece of Australian geological heritage.
Add Helidon Buff image
QLD, Australia
Helidon Buff
Warm buff tones from Queensland's Helidon quarries. A versatile sandstone that works in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Add Mint Sandstone image
India (Rajasthan)
Mint Sandstone
Soft cream and mint-green tones. A popular imported sandstone that offers a cooler, more contemporary palette than Australian varieties.
Add Autumn Brown image
India (Rajasthan)
Autumn Brown
Rich brown and rust tones with natural variation. Creates a warm, earthy effect that complements Australian native gardens.
Add Kandla Grey image
India (Gujarat)
Kandla Grey
Cool grey tones with natural variation. A contemporary sandstone that works beautifully in modern outdoor spaces and complements steel and concrete.
Add York Stone image
South Africa
York Stone
Warm buff to golden tones with natural fossil inclusions. A premium sandstone with a distinctive character — each piece contains millions of years of geological history.
Caring for Sandstone
Seal on installation
Apply a penetrating stone sealer to all sandstone surfaces on installation. This reduces porosity and prevents staining from oils, organic matter, and iron oxidation.
Clean regularly outdoors
Sweep outdoor sandstone regularly to prevent organic matter from staining the surface. Wash periodically with a mild stone cleaner and a stiff brush.
Treat iron staining promptly
Sandstone containing iron minerals can develop rust-coloured staining when exposed to water. Treat promptly with an iron stain remover formulated for natural stone.
Avoid pressure washing at high pressure
High-pressure washing can erode the surface of softer sandstones. Use a low-pressure setting and keep the nozzle at least 30cm from the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to use Sandstone in your project?
Visit our Mulgrave showroom at 71 Roberts Avenue to view our full slab selection, or contact us to book a consultation.