‘Welcome to The Garden. I have designed this space in celebration of seasonality; a beautiful gift shared between nature, our kitchen, and ourselves. I want you to feel the magic of change; The rich hues of autumn, the absolute delight of summer fragrances, the humbling honesty of winter, and the promise of renewal in spring’s first growth. This space will continue to evolve, and I hope you will return and experience the joy for yourself.’
Paul Bangay
Paul Bangay is one of Australia’s most influential landscape designers, widely recognised for shaping some of the country’s most refined private and public gardens. His work spans more than three decades and is grounded in a clear, disciplined approach to structure, proportion and planting, resulting in landscapes that feel composed, enduring and deeply connected to place.
His portfolio includes some of Australia’s most notable garden projects, from large rural estates in Victoria and New South Wales to sophisticated coastal and urban gardens. Internationally, his work extends to New Zealand, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, with each project responding closely to its architectural and environmental context. Well-known gardens such as Stonefields in Victoria and the rural landscapes surrounding his own Portsea garden reflect his ability to balance strong formal design with softness, seasonality and restraint.
Paul’s design language is informed by classical principles — symmetry, axes and strong spatial planning — interpreted through a contemporary lens. Planting is layered and deliberate, allowing gardens to change throughout the year while maintaining a consistent sense of structure. Rather than creating static landscapes, his gardens are designed to evolve, offering variation in colour, texture and mood with each season.
In addition to his design practice, Paul has published several influential books on garden design, including The Garden, The Defined Garden and Big Garden Design, which have helped shape modern Australian landscape thinking. His contribution to the field has been formally recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to landscape architecture.
Paul’s collaboration on The Garden in The Rocks reflects this same approach — a living landscape shaped by structure, seasonality and care. Designed to change over time, it offers guests an immersive outdoor experience that feels generous, grounded and quietly restorative, whether visited once or returned to often.
