Australia’s Best Landscapes Awarded: Community, Country & Climate All Big Winners

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has awarded the country’s best landscapes during its annual Festival of Landscape Architecture. Winners were revealed in a ceremony held in Lutruwita/Tasmania on Tuesday 21 October.

AILA’s National Jury presented 36 awards to projects spanning 17 categories. AILA National Jury Chair Kate Luckraft praised the winning designers for forging vital new collaborations between landscape architects, communities and academics. She also lauded the profession’s commitment to climate-positive design.

In summarising the impact of this year’s winning work, Kate said: “Across the board, projects enriched by First Nations collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking exemplify how landscape architects are shaping resilient, climate-conscious places that reflect a deeper understanding of Country and community.”

NSW research & resilience project takes two gongs

The Living Lab Northern Rivers (LLNR) project won an Award of Excellence (the highest honour for Community Contribution) – and also took home a Regional Achievement Award. Designed by University of Technology Sydney and Living Lab Northern Rivers, LLNR aims to create sustainable and resilient opportunities for the region – via a permanent shopfront and the creation of reports, exhibitions, design studios and workshops.

Established on Bundjalung Country after the 2022 floods, LLNR brings together communities, First Nations knowledge holders, government, business and universities. The Jury described the award-winner as a “groundbreaking hybrid model of research, co-design and practice” that offers a “powerful model for climate adaptation and community-led change”.

Seawall saviour: winning design aligns nature, culture & community

Another of the evening’s dual award winners was the Wagonga Inlet Living Foreshore by REALMstudios. This NSW project was the recipient of both the Climate-Positive Design Award of Excellence and the Land Management Award of Excellence.

An initiative of the Eurobodalla Shire Council, in Narooma, the project integrates multiple restoration strategies – including living shorelines, bank stabilisation, saltmarsh rehabilitation and oyster reef restoration – creating an adaptive, resilient coastal ecosystem in readiness for changing coastal conditions.

The Jury described the project as an outstanding example of coastal protection in harmony with nature, culture and community. “The design is to be commended for leading the replacement of a failing seawall with innovative nature-based solutions that restored over 3,000 square metres of saltmarsh, brought back rare oyster reefs, and created vital habitats for marine and birdlife.” The highly collaborative effort involved Traditional Custodians, scientists, agencies and volunteers, empowering Indigenous rangers and fostering strong partnerships.

Victorian gardens dominate winner’s podium

Two Victorian designs were declared the nation’s best gardens. Green Our Roof, by Hassell Studio, and Hedge House by Emergent Studios (Bush Projects) each received a Landscape Architecture Award.

Olympic initiative honoured with President’s Award

Green Pathways, Gold Places is an advocacy campaign that provides an actionable framework to ensure the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games deliver a legacy of connected, inclusive and high-quality public realm outcomes for communities across Queensland.

An initiative of AILA, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia, and the Design Institute of Australia, Green Pathways, Gold Places was applauded as a worthy winner of the 2025 AILA President’s Award.

The campaign calls for the creation of a 2032 Design Coordination Unit within the Office of the Queensland Government Architect; an integrated green grid; an Olympic forest; and precinct-based design approaches. The Jury described Green Pathways, Gold Places as “uniting industry and government in a shared vision”.

What is landscape architecture and how does it benefit all Australians?

Landscape architecture brings nature into the heart of daily life, shaping parks, precincts, wetlands and public spaces that invite us to gather, connect and belong. Well-designed landscapes strengthen local economies by attracting visitors and creating jobs, but their deeper value lies in cooling our cities, restoring ecosystems and caring for Country.

The 2025 AILA National Awards celebrate the projects and practitioners reimagining how we live with landscape and each other.

More information: aila.org.au