Acres by Design supports aspiring lifestyle-focused acreage owners to transform Adelaide Hills properties into desirably elegant estates.
They’re not simply designed to be beautiful, but also functional; built with sustainability in mind for long-term ease and enjoyment. By guiding clients through our thoughtful design process, practical land management, and expert advice across every stage of ownership, they move from “too hard basket” to “dreams really do come true”.
Acres by Design creates an environment where every client feels understood, reassured, and backed by genuine expertise — a calm, grounded collaboration that replaces stress with trust. Through gentle education and hands-on support, they help families step into a premium acreage lifestyle feeling capable, informed, and excited about the legacy they’re building.
Our mission is to design, shape and maintain properties that thrive for decades to come, providing families a sense of deep peace every time they arrive — a ripple effect that enriches their wellbeing, strengthens their connection to the land, and creates a legacy that can be enjoyed for generations.
In short, Acres by Design exists to help acreage owners step into a life that feels expansive, calm, and deeply connected to the land they’ve chosen.
Our Services
FARM / LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
At Acres by Design, we develop tailored landscape masterplans that thoughtfully integrate access, infrastructure, production areas, environmental considerations, and outdoor living spaces into one cohesive vision. Every design responds to the unique opportunities and constraints of the property while reflecting the aspirations of the people who call it home.
Our process balances creativity with practicality, blending agricultural insight, landscape design expertise, and local knowledge to create properties that are beautiful to look at, enjoyable to live on, and efficient to manage.
As the design evolves, each stage builds naturally upon the last, transforming ideas into a clear and inspiring plan that delivers lasting value, resilience, and timeless country elegance.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Thoughtfully designed infrastructure forms the foundation of a successful acreage property. We plan and coordinate practical infrastructure solutions that support both everyday functionality and long-term land management objectives. From fencing, laneways, and access roads to water systems, stock infrastructure, and service areas, every element is carefully considered within the context of the broader landscape.
Our designs prioritise efficiency, durability, and visual harmony, the outcome is a well-connected, highly functional property that feels effortless to navigate, maintain, and enjoy for years to come.
GARDEN DESIGN / MAINTENANCE
Creating timeless gardens that bring beauty, functionality, and a sense of calm to everyday living. From the initial consultation through to design, construction, planting, restoration, and ongoing maintenance, every stage is thoughtfully tailored to your property, lifestyle, and vision.
Our approach combines creative landscape design with practical expertise, ensuring each garden feels seamlessly connected to its surroundings while remaining sustainable and enjoyable to maintain. We carefully prepare soils, source premium-quality plants suited to the conditions of your site, and oversee the installation of features such as paving, retaining walls, water elements, and outdoor lighting.
Whether transforming an existing garden or creating an entirely new landscape, our focus is on delivering outdoor spaces that feel elegant, welcoming, and through ongoing care, we help your garden continue to flourish and evolve, creating a beautiful sanctuary that can be enjoyed for years to come.
LIVESTOCK
MAINTENANCE
We assist clients in developing practical, ethical, and sustainable livestock systems tailored to their goals, land capability, and lifestyle requirements. From nutrition and animal health through to breeding programs, pasture utilisation, and marketing considerations, our guidance supports systems that enhance both animal welfare, livestock and property performance.
PROPERTY
ACQUISITION
Purchasing acreage is an exciting opportunity. We provide comprehensive pre-purchase assessments that help prospective buyers make informed and confident decisions. Through detailed site inspections and professional analysis, we identify the strengths, challenges, opportunities, and limitations of each property.
Our recommendations consider your intended use, lifestyle goals, infrastructure requirements, and long-term vision, providing clarity before you commit. Whether you're seeking a productive farm or lifestyle acreage, we help ensure the property aligns with your aspirations from the outset.
SOIL PASTURE
MANAGEMENT
Healthy, resilient landscapes begin with healthy soils. We develop tailored soil and pasture management strategies designed to improve fertility, increase biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem function, and support long-term productivity. By combining sound agricultural science with practical land stewardship principles, our approach focuses on building resilient landscapes that remain productive, environmentally responsible, and sustainable for generations to come, ensuring your land continues to thrive long into the future.
Our approach
Acres by Design transforms properties into desirable lifestyle acreage homes that are not just beautiful, but truly lived-in and loved. With 26 years rooted in farming, formal qualifications and a hands-on background in horticulture, livestock and construction, Darren and Melanie bring a rare blend of professional expertise, depth of knowledge and lived experience.
With a deep passion for the Adelaide Hills, they blend creative landscape design, practical land management, and full service stewardship to help families enjoy the best of their land characteristics. Every property is thoughtfully crafted to respect the landscape, wildlife, and residents, creating a sanctuary where families can relax, thrive, and build a legacy.
Their genuine love for the Adelaide Hills guides every project. They honour its beauty, protect its character and design large scale estates that feel naturally part of the landscape rather than imposed upon it. The result is acreage that works beautifully, lives effortlessly and feels right at home in the Hills.
What our clients are saying...
Want more info?
Ready to learn more about our in-depth design process, property management strategies and services, and pricing? Your property's success is as important to us as if it were our own, so it's essential to make sure we're a good fit. Pop your details below and we'll get back to you to organise a time to chat.
Contact us
Darren 0428 888 366
Melanie 0427 799 388
