A gabion is a heavy-gauge galvanised (or galvanised and PVC-coated) wire mesh basket, filled on site with rock. Stacked and tied together, gabions make a gravity wall — the weight of the rock holds back the soil.
Why choose a gabion wall?
- Naturally free-draining. Water passes straight through the rock, so there is no build-up of water pressure behind the wall — a big advantage on wet or sloping blocks.
- Flexible. Gabions tolerate some ground movement without cracking, which suits reactive clay soils.
- Distinctive look. Filled with sandstone, bluestone or recycled concrete, they suit modern and contemporary gardens, commercial sites and creek banks.
- Can include seating and planting. Timber tops turn them into bench seats; planting pockets soften the face.
Things to know before you choose gabions
- They are wide. Gabion baskets are commonly around 500mm to 1m deep, and taller walls need wider bases. On narrow boundary sites a concrete sleeper wall takes far less space.
- Rock fill is heavy. Expect a lot of material to be delivered and placed; machine access makes a big difference to cost.
- Taller walls need engineering. Like any retaining wall, gabion walls over about 1m or carrying loads need an engineer's design. See engineered walls.
- Mesh quality matters. We use heavy galvanised mesh with proper lacing and bracing so baskets don't bulge over time.
How we build a gabion wall
- Excavate and level a compacted base (or concrete footing where specified).
- Lay geotextile fabric behind the wall so fines don't wash through the rock.
- Assemble and lace the baskets, fitting internal bracing wires.
- Hand-pack the visible face for a neat finish, then fill the core.
- Close the lids, stack the next course set back into the slope, and backfill.
Want to compare prices with other wall types? See the retaining wall cost guide.
Recent work
Frequently asked questions
Are gabion walls good for retaining?
Yes — gabions are proven gravity retaining walls, used on roads and creek banks as well as homes. They drain freely and tolerate ground movement. They do need more width than sleeper walls.
How long do gabion walls last?
With heavy galvanised or galvanised-and-PVC-coated mesh, gabion walls can last for decades. Mesh gauge, coating and proper lacing are what determine lifespan.
What rock goes in a gabion wall?
Hard, durable rock larger than the mesh openings — commonly sandstone, basalt/bluestone or recycled concrete. We hand-place the front face for a neat finish.
