Tucked away amongst the trees in Burbank, Brisbane this bush side billabong remains one of our favourite projects we’ve ever created at Pond Works.
Built in 2021, this natural twin waterfall and pond system was designed to feel like it had always belonged within the landscape and to be a peaceful escape where the owners could unwind after work and enjoy the sound of running water and reconnect with nature from the comfort of their own backyard.
What was once a relatively flat landscape has been transformed into a layered bush retreat complete with waterfalls, large basalt boulders and a relaxed entertaining space next to the water.
The Burbank project before construction began — originally a flat planted landscape that would later become a natural bushside billabong retreat.
Designing a Natural Bush Billabong
The vision for this project was simple: create a future that felt natural, calming and immersive.
The owners wanted somewhere they could sit with a quiet beer at the end of the day and simply enjoy the serenity. The surrounding bushland setting provided the perfect canvas for a natural ecosystem pond inspired by Australian billabongs and rainforest waterways.
One of the most rewarding parts of this build was shaping the landscape itself. Rather than removing excavated soil from site, all of the materials excavated to create the pond was used to form the elevation and foundations for the waterfall system. This allowed us to create natural height and depth within what was originally a very flat landscape.
The result is a twin waterfall feature that feels as though it emerges naturally from the surrounding bush.
On-site earthworks in progress — excavated soil being reused to create natural elevation for the waterfall system.
Project Specifications
Pond & Waterfall Details
- Approximately 6m x 4 m ecosystem pond
- Approximately 800-900mm deep
- Twin waterfall design
- Fed via bore water
- Built using approximately 28 tonnes of basalt boulder rock
Equipment Installed
- Aquascape Biofalls 2500 biological filter
- 2 x Aquascape Aquasurge 20,000 pumps
The combination of large basalt boulders, flowing water, and surround planting helped soften the feature into the environment while still creating a strong visual impact from the entertaining area beside it.
The completed bushside billabong — a natural ecosystem pond with twin waterfalls set into a basalt rock landscape.
The Entertaining Space
Positioned beside the pond is what Greg Wittstock, The Pond Guy described as a “party patio” during his visit to the project when he was in Australia in 2023.
Whether you call it a pergola, patio, or gazebo-style entertaining space, it became the perfect viewing point for the water feature. The structure was intentionally placed so the owners could sit close to the waterfalls, hear the movement of water, and fully enjoy the atmosphere the pond created.
This space completely changed how the owners use their backyard. What was once simply a planted area became a destination and somewhere to gather with friends, relax quietly or simply take in the surroundings.
The finished water feature and entertaining space — a peaceful bush retreat where the gazebo overlooks the twin waterfalls and pond.
Wildlife & Natural Surroundings
One of the most special parts of this project is the wildlife it attracts.
Kangaroos and wallabies are regularly seen lingering amongst the surrounding trees, often watching quietly from the bush edges while the waterfalls run in the background. Combined with the sound of moving water and the natural stonework, it creates an atmosphere that genuinely feels removed from suburban life.
It’s the kind of space that encourages you to slow down and simply sit still for a while.
Wallabies often visit the edges of the property, adding to the natural bushland atmosphere around the water feature.
Long-Term Enjoyment
The owners also chose to become part of the Pond Works Maintenance program following completion of the project, helping keep the pond healthy, balanced and looking beautiful as the landscape continues to mature.
Years later, the feature continues to thrive and remains one of those special spaces that feels just as enjoyable today as it did when it was first completed.
A Project That Still Inspires Us
Even years after construction, this project remains one of our favourite water features we’ve ever built.
It captures everything we love about natural ecosystem ponds by using landscape, elevation, rock, water movement and surrounding environment together to create a space that feels authentic and timeless.
In 2023, the project was visited by Greg Wittstock, further cementing it as one of the standout projects within our portfolio.
For us, this project was never just about building a pond. It was about creating a place where people could truly relax, reconnect with nature and enjoy the simple feeling of sitting beside water at the end of the day.