The Best Lawn Grass for Backyards

Determining what is the best turf for backyard lawns is a bit like asking, “How long is a piece of string?” Every home is different. This guide walks you through the key things to consider when choosing instant turf for the perfect backyard lawn and crowns champions across multiple categories.

Factors in Choosing the Best Grass for Lawn Installations

Before jumping into specific turf types, let’s break down the critical factors that will guide your decision.

Sunlight Levels

Often, the most critical factor. Like any plant, all grass species need sunlight to grow via photosynthesis, but their requirements vary significantly between varieties. There are some that simply won’t survive on less than 6 hours of full sunlight a day. Observe how much sunlight your yard receives throughout the day, factoring in any seasonal changes, to assess how much sun your lawn will receive overall.

Full Sun – 6+ hours of direct sun. Ideal for most grass varieties, especially sun-loving grasses like some types of couch grass and Kikuyu.
Partial Shade – 3–6 hours of direct sun, or consistent filtered/dappled light. Requires shade-tolerant varieties like Buffalo grass and Zoysia.
Heavy Shade – Less than 3 hours of direct sun. Very challenging for most types of grass; specific shade-tolerant grasses like Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo are your best bet here – though even these may struggle. Keep in mind that heavily shaded lawns will grow more slowly and won’t handle wear as well.

Lawn Use – Showpiece or Playground?

How will you use your lawn? An ornamental front yard has different needs than a backyard that hosts regular games of backyard cricket or energetic pets.

High Traffic Areas – If your lawn needs to withstand heavy foot traffic, prioritise grass varieties known for high wear tolerance and rapid self-repair, such as TifTuf Bermuda or Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu.
Low Traffic / Ornamental – If foot traffic isn’t a major concern, such as in front yards or decorative areas, then you can choose whichever turf you prefer, as long as it suits the other site conditions.

Look and Feel

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you might want to consider:

Leaf Texture – Do you prefer the finer blades of couch grass or Zoysia grass, or the lusher, wider blades of soft leaf Buffalo grass like Sir Walter?
Colour – Like fine wines, premium turf types have their own subtle colour variations, spanning from the yellow-tinged emerald tones of Eureka Kikuyu through to the verdant dark green colour characteristic of Sir Grange Zoysia.
Density – A dense turf creates a more carpet-like feel. Choices like TifTuf or Zoysia are great for this effect.

Other Considerations

Allergies – Some people (and pets) are sensitive to grass pollen, suffering symptoms like hayfever or itchy skin. Varieties, including Sir Walter DNA-Certified Buffalo and Sir Grange Zoysia, are known for being low-allergenic due to minimal seed head production. Kikuyu, on the other hand, can produce more, especially if not mown regularly.
Maintenance Level – Be realistic about how much time you’re willing to spend on lawn care. Some grasses need frequent mowing (Kikuyu, TifTuf), while others are genuinely low maintenance (Sir Walter, Sir Grange). Consider fertiliser and watering needs too.
Extreme weather conditions – Australia’s climates vary widely. Consider your local climate – do you get severe frosts (common in southern/alpine areas) or extended hot dry spells? It’s so important to choose the best turf for the variable Melbourne climate when the weather demands resilience for both frosts and drought.

Sir Walter is a great all-rounder who can handle extreme heat and cold. Although a warm-season grass type, it keeps its colour well during the winter. RTF Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass that maintains steady growth and evergreen colour, keeping a healthy lawn look year-round in chilly climates.

What is the Best Turf for Australian Lawns? Breaking Down Our Top Picks

Based on the factors above, here are our recommendations on the best grass for lawn use across common conditions and user profiles.

Best Overall – Sir Walter DNA-Certified Buffalo Grass

For a reliable, great-looking lawn that ticks most boxes for Australian homeowners, Sir Walter Buffalo turf is hard to beat. It blends ease of care with robust performance in as much as 70 per cent shade coverage and wide-ranging soil types. A true Aussie all-rounder, it can withstand heat and cold, drought and flooding rains – all while requiring minimal upkeep. You beauty!

Why it wins:

Excellent balance of shade tolerance (best in class for warm season grasses) and full sun performance
Good drought tolerance thanks to its deep root system
Good wear tolerance for typical family use
Great low-maintenance option (less mowing and fertilising)
Soft leaf feels great underfoot
Low-allergenic

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda offers higher wear and drought tolerance if you get at least 4 hours of full sun a day and don’t mind more regular mowing.

Best on a Budget – Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu

When toughness and value are top priorities for sunny yards, Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu delivers exceptional durability without the premium price tag. It establishes quickly, creating a dense lawn fast.

Why it wins:

Excellent value for money
Exceptional wear tolerance and rapid recovery make it ideal for very high traffic areas
Thrives in full sunlight and handles heavy rain well
Strong stem growth provides durability

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda turf is also relatively cost-effective and offers better drought tolerance, though Kikuyu repairs slightly faster.

Best for Allergy Sufferers – Sir Walter Buffalo

If allergies are a concern for your family or pets, choosing a lawn known for low pollen and seed head production is essential. Sir Walter Buffalo stands out in this category.

Why it wins:

Produces very few seed heads (a common allergen source)
Consistently recommended as a low-allergenic grass type
Its soft leaf is non-irritating

Honourable Mention – Sir Grange Zoysia also produces minimal seed heads and has fine, soft leaf blades that feel great underfoot.

Best Grass Type for Active Users – TifTuf Bermuda Grass

For backyards that play host to frantic footy games or dynamic doggos, you need turf that can handle the pressure. TifTuf Bermuda was bred for this, and is the ideal choice for active families in lightly shaded to full sun backyards.

Why it wins:

Incredibly wear-resistant with exceptional tolerance for heavy foot traffic
Fast-repairing nature due to vigorous runner growth
Maintains density under pressure
Extremely low water needs mean it stays strong even under drought conditions or fast-draining sandy soils
Can be mown super low (as short as 3mm on some golf courses’ greens), meaning homeowners can turn backyards into sports fields

Honourable Mention – Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu grass offers slightly faster repair but isn’t quite as drought-tolerant.

Best ‘Lazy Lawn’ (Low Maintenance) – Sir Walter Buffalo

Not in love with those gardening gloves and want a beautiful lawn without dedicating every weekend to it? Sir Walter Buffalo fits the bill for an easy-care yet attractive home lawn.

Why it wins:

Requires significantly less mowing than faster-growing grasses like Kikuyu or TifTuf
Lower fertiliser needs
Good drought tolerance suited to dry climates, meaning less frequent watering once established
Natural density helps suppress weeds

Honourable Mention – Sir Grange Zoysia requires even less mowing and fertiliser but needs good drainage and is slower to establish/repair.

Best For Pool Surrounds – Sir Grange Zoysia

Creating a sophisticated look around pools or in feature lawn areas requires specific characteristics. Sir Grange Zoysia offers a premium, fine-leafed aesthetic combined with practical benefits.

Why it wins:

Very fine, dense leaf creates a premium, carpet-like appearance
Good salt tolerance makes it suitable near salt-chlorinated pools
Low maintenance in terms of mowing/fertilising keeps it looking neat
Good performance in full sun to partial shade

Honourable Mention – TifTuf Bermuda also has a fine leaf and excellent wear tolerance, making it another good option, especially if faster repair is needed.

What About Cool Season Grasses? Introducing RTF Tall Fescue

While warm season grasses dominate most Australian lawns, cool season grasses like RTF Tall Fescue offer unique advantages, particularly for staying green through the cooler months. If you live in the south or an alpine area with a colder environment, it’s worth considering this option.

Role & Benefits – RTF Tall Fescue maintains its deep green colour through winter when warm season types show winter dormancy. It has good shade tolerance and handles cooler climates well. Its deep root system offers reasonable drought tolerance for a cool-season variety. Self-repairing rhizomes give it better wear characteristics than older fescues.
Considerations – It generally requires more water during hot, dry summers than drought-tolerant warm-season grass varieties. It may struggle in extreme heat compared to Buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, or Zoysia. Best suited for areas with moderate foot traffic or consistent moisture.

Making Your Choice & Next Steps

Choosing the best lawn grass involves balancing your priorities, including sun exposure, usage, maintenance preferences, desired look, and budget. Hopefully, this guide has helped clarify which turf variety might be right for your needs. Remember that proper site preparation before you lay turf is crucial for establishing a healthy lawn, regardless of the grass type you choose. Ongoing lawn care, including appropriate watering, mowing, and fertilising, will ensure your turf thrives for years to come. Read more about installing your new lawn with natural turf here.

Still unsure? Call our team to discuss your ideal lawn turf on 1800 622 455, or use our handy turf selector tool to choose the right grass for your needs.

Best Lawn Grass FAQs

I asked a relative what is the best turf and they said couch grass – is this true?

Your relative remembers correctly! For a long time, couch grass (also commonly known as Bermuda grass) was the ‘green and gold standard’ for durable Australian lawns, prized for its fine leaf and ability to handle heavy foot traffic in full sun. However, while still tough in sunny spots, traditional couch grass varieties can struggle significantly in shade, require frequent mowing to manage their stem growth and prevent spreading, and often brown off completely during winter dormancy.

Thankfully, modern turf breeding offers fantastic alternatives that often better suit Aussie backyards. Grass varieties like Sir Walter Buffalo provide excellent shade tolerance and are genuinely low-maintenance. Advanced Bermuda grass cultivars like TifTuf deliver incredible drought tolerance far beyond other grasses from the couch family. And Zoysia grass, such as Sir Grange, offers a fine-leaf look with minimal upkeep. These newer grass types generally provide a better balance of year-round performance, appearance, and easier lawn care compared to traditional couch for most home lawns.

What are the advantages of instant turf over lawn seed?

Instant turf gives you a beautiful lawn immediately, ready for light use, much faster than waiting for seeds to germinate and grow. It provides guaranteed coverage with your chosen turf variety, reducing initial weed problems and patchy results common with seeding. Enjoy a mature, healthy lawn in days, not months!

What are the best drought-tolerant varieties for full sun?

For full sun areas demanding high drought tolerance, TifTuf Bermuda is an outstanding choice, requiring significantly less water once established. Sir Grange Zoysia also boasts excellent drought resistance. While Sir Walter Buffalo and Eureka Kikuyu handle dry conditions well, TifTuf and Sir Grange Zoysia generally lead for water efficiency in sunny spots.