Newly released book The New Australian Garden by Michael Bates tells of how gardens has changed

NO longer just the place to keep the plants and the barbecue, our gardens are increasingly becoming destination spaces to relax, work and play in, says a garden designer who has written a new book.

Landscaper and author of The New Australian Garden Michael Bates. Images from The New Australian Garden by Michael Bates. Picture: Jason Busch.

NO longer just the place to keep the plants and the barbecue, our gardens are increasingly becoming destination spaces to relax, work and play in.

Garden designer Michael Bates says he is constantly inspired by the creative ways homeowners are turning their backyards into an extension of their home.

“In the ’70s there was a barbecue area, everyone sitting around a redwood table and a swimming pool,” the Bates Landscape founder says.

“Now, every activity that we do inside we want to do outside – outdoor lounges, fire pits, even outdoor showers and bathrooms.”

Outdoor bathtub in an Eastern Suburbs garden.

Bates shows off some of the many ways the traditional lawn can be transformed into a modern masterpiece in his recently released book The New Australian Garden.

It features 18 landmark gardens created by top designers and architects, which include large sculptural designs, cosy sanctuaries, an outdoor bath and a vast mix of native and exotic plants.

“The rules are now that there are no rules,” Bates says. “As long as it looks good there’s no reason why people shouldn’t experiment and have fun.”

Hammock in the Tallowong garden.

Big sofa in an Eastern Suburbs backyard.

Bates says features such as large window spaces and bi-fold doors are becoming a common addition for people looking for a seamless transition between their interiors and exteriors.

The book also has examples of landforms – created by contouring soil to turn flat grounds into elevated sculptural shapes.

Shower and day bed in an Eastern Suburbs garden.

A pear sculpture and land shaping in the Tallowong garden.

Bates says he believes it will be the next big thing in landscape design.

“It’s a fairly inexpensive way of creating a powerful sculpture,” he says.

The New Australian Garden by Michael Bates, published by Murdoch Books. RRP $59.99. Details: murdochbooks.com.au