How to Lay Stepping Stones (a DIY Guide)

There’s something uniquely satisfying about a well-placed, neat garden path. Whether it’s a shortcut or a meandering walkway through your backyard, a stepping stone path is one of the easiest and most rewarding projects for Aussie homeowners. Affordable, functional and surprisingly fun to install, stepping stones can elevate the look of your landscape while keeping muddy footprints off your lawn.

Real life project using our Bluestone Organic Stepping Stones

If you’ve ever wondered how to lay stepping stones the right way, let us walk you through everything, from picking materials to setting stones securely for a long-lasting finish. 

Why Choose a Stepping Stone Path?

Stepping stones are both visually appealing and incredibly practical, offering a clear walking route across grass, gravel or mulch, which helps protect your garden and reduce wear on your lawn. A lot of homeowners love this option for its versatility, using it as a pathway leading to a shed or clothesline, creating access between garden beds or guiding through decorative areas.

Lunar Round Stepping Stones Project by Environ Landscape Solutions

What makes this project great for DIYers is the minimal tools and materials required, with no concrete pouring or complex equipment needed.

Choosing the Right Stepping Stones

Your first decision is picking the right type of stone or paver. At Australian Landscape Supplies, we stock a wide variety of options to suit different budgets and garden styles:

• Natural stone (e.g. bluestone, sandstone): Stunning and durable, these stones are ideal for modern or rustic landscapes.

• Concrete pavers: These are affordable and uniform in shape, making them great for contemporary designs or high-traffic areas.

• Decorative pre-cast stones: These come in fun shapes, colours and textures to add personality to your yard.

One tip to keep in mind is to match your stone choice to your existing garden features. For example, natural stone pairs well with native plants and earthy palettes, while geometric pavers suit clean, structured gardens.

Project by Environ Landscape Solutions

Plan Your Path and Prepare the Ground

Before grabbing a shovel, take a moment to visualise your layout. Use a string, a garden hose or spray paint to map out the path, and make sure to keep it natural – gentle curves often look more inviting than rigid lines. Walk naturally and mark where your foot lands. Most people find that 500–600mm from centre to centre provides a natural stride.

Think about where you want the stones to begin and end. For heavily used paths, aim for consistent spacing, while decorative garden trails can have looser spacing and be more organic.

Once you're done with the outline, mark the position of each stone and dig a hole roughly 50–100mm deeper than the stone's height. Make sure you remove all grass, weeds and roots because these can rot or shift, making your stones unstable. Ensure the base is roughly flat and compacted too, as uneven bases cause stones to rock or settle unevenly.

Planning to install over gravel or mulch? You’ll still want to dig down slightly to embed each stone and keep them secure.

Real life project 

Create a Solid Base

This is the step that many skip and later regret. A solid base prevents shifting and helps the stone sit level for years to come.

Add a 50mm layer of compacted base under each stone and tamp the base down firmly with a hand tamper or the flat side of a rubber mallet. You can use:

• Crusher dust: Offers excellent compaction and drainage

• Road base: Great for high-traffic paths

• Washed sand: Easy to level and adjust

Lunar Round Stepping Stones Project by Environ Landscape Solutions

Lay the Stepping Stones

Place each stone into its hole and gently press it into the base layer.

• Use a spirit level to check both the individual stone and the line of the overall path

• Adjust height by adding or removing base material

• Tap lightly with a rubber mallet to set the stone without cracking it
  
  

Real life project 

Aim to have the top of each stone sit just above the surrounding ground. This helps with drainage and prevents them from becoming a tripping hazard.

Finishing Touches

Once all the stepping stones are securely laid and level, it’s time to finish the job by filling in the gaps. This final step helps lock the stones in place and integrates them seamlessly into your landscape. There are several options you can choose from depending on your desired look and function. 

Washed sand is one of the easiest fillers – simply sweep it in to help stabilise the stones. Decorative gravel or pebbles not only secure the stones but also add contrast and improve drainage. For a softer, more natural aesthetic, mulch or bark can blend the path into surrounding garden beds. 

If you want a lush and colourful finish, consider planting low-growing groundcovers like creeping thyme or dichondra between the stones. These add a beautiful organic touch while softening the hard edges. If you're using sand or soil between the gaps, lightly water the area to help everything settle and compact properly.

Lunar Round Stepping Stones Project by Environ Landscape Solutions

Pro Tips for a Professional Look

First, never skip the base layer – it’s what keeps your stepping stones stable over time. 

Protect yourself during installation by wearing gloves and knee pads, especially when digging or adjusting heavy pavers. If you’ve chosen natural stone, applying a stone sealer is a great way to help resist stains and weather damage, especially in exposed areas. Finally, before locking everything in place, take a moment to step back and review your path’s alignment. A small adjustment early on can save you a lot of time and effort later.

Real life project using our Bluestone Organic Stepping Stones

Ready to get started?

Laying stepping stones is the perfect project to kickstart your DIY landscaping journey. With a bit of planning and the right materials, you’ll end up with a garden path that looks great, feels solid underfoot and adds charm to any outdoor space.

We’ve helped countless Queenslanders bring their gardens to life with high-quality landscaping products here at Australian Landscape Supplies. Whether you're after natural stepping stones, gravel fillers, sand or tools to get the job done, we’ve got you covered.

Explore our full range of landscaping supplies and tools today, or drop by for expert advice for your next weekend project!