Creating a native garden for wildlife: Simple steps to bring nature back

I recently watched the film Wilding, based on Isabella Tree’s book of the same name. It tells the story of a farm in England given back to nature. It's an incredible tale of transformation in even of the smallest of details: a divot left by a cow’s hoof becomes a tiny wetland, insects breed which then feed the birds. Everything is interlinked and shows that life can return when we step aside. 

On a much smaller scale, I've tried to do the same with my garden here in Australia — a space that was once nothing but lawn. Over time, I've replaced it with native plants, trees, water features and pockets of chaos planting. The transformation for me — and our local wildlife — has been incredible. 

Why Your Wildlife Garden Matters

Across Australia, we’ve lost over 50% of our native vegetation since European settlement.¹ Many of our birds, insects and mammals now depend on urban gardens as stepping stones between the wild spaces that remain. 

We may not know the exact total of land covered by gardens, but in our cities, residential homes account for around 70 percent of urban land and a significant share of that is outdoor space.² That’s a lot of potential habitat hiding in plain sight. Each backyard, courtyard and balcony is a small piece of a much larger puzzle — and when planted thoughtfully, these pieces can reconnect fragmented green spaces across our suburbs.

A verge garden (check with your local council first) planted with natives, a mixed hedge instead of a fence, or a grouping of flowering shrubs can provide vital shelter and food for pollinators and birds. When you see your garden as a piece of the larger landscape, it changes how you plant — and how you care for what grows there.

Find out more here about plants to avoid in your wildlife garden. 

What Can You Do To Support Local Wildlife in Your Garden?

1. Choose Native Plants That Feed and Shelter

Native plants are the backbone of every wildlife garden. They’re adapted to local conditions and offer food, pollen and shelter that introduced species can’t match.

• Grevilleas, callistemons and banksias feed honeyeaters and native bees.
• Lomandra, correa and westringia provide shelter for small birds and lizards.
• Layer groundcovers, shrubs and small trees to mimic natural habitats.

Start small and local — plants native to your region will attract wildlife faster than exotic varieties. These can often be found in indigenous nurseries - a quick Google search will help find one in your area. Check out our spring planting list for additional ideas. 

2. Add a Water Source

Water draws wildlife almost instantly. A shallow dish or birdbath helps everything from birds to frogs. 

Keep it shallow and textured
Use a dish that isn't too deeps so birds, bees and lizards can drink safely. Avoid smooth, slippery bowls — rough terracotta or stones give small creatures a way to grip and climb out.

Place it low, near cover
Ground-level dishes suit most wildlife. Position them close to shrubs or native grasses so birds feel protected and can retreat quickly if startled.

Keep it cool and clean
Place your water source in partial shade and top it up regularly, especially through summer. Refresh the water every couple of days to stop mosquito larvae forming.

It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive — even an old bowl tucked among the plants will have an impact.

3. Choose Organic Care Over Chemicals

A healthy garden is a balanced garden. Instead of relying on sprays and quick fixes, think about building long-term resilience.

Chemicals like broad-spectrum pesticides and herbicides can kill more than pests; they disrupt the soil web and harm the insects and birds that keep the garden alive. Organic alternatives work with nature rather than against it.

Here are a few simple swaps that make a difference:

• Neem oil or eco-oil sprays can manage sap-sucking insects like aphids without harming bees.
• Garlic or chilli sprays deter caterpillars and mites naturally.
• Companion planting — such as marigolds near vegetables — helps repel pests while attracting pollinators.
• Encourage predatory insects like ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings by planting pollen-rich flowers.
• Feed the soil, not the plant. Add compost, worm castings and organic mulch to build microbial life that naturally strengthens plant immunity.

4. Build Real Habitat, Not Just Pretty Planting

The best wildlife gardens have a structure. Animals need places to nest, rest, feed and hide. Without that, even the best planting won’t sustain them for long.

Think about your garden in layers and functions:

• Ground layer: Keep some leaf litter, twigs or mulch undisturbed — this creates moisture and shelter for beetles, skinks, frogs and ground-feeding birds.
• Habitat piles: Stack a few pieces of untreated timber, pruned branches or rocks in a shaded corner. Over time, they’ll host fungi, insects and microfauna that birds rely on.
• Nesting sites: Install a native bee hotel made from bamboo or drilled timber blocks, or a nesting box suited to your local birds (wrens, pardalotes, rosellas).
• Vertical structure: Climbing or dense shrubs like correa or hardenbergia create hiding spots and movement corridors.
• Water and shade: Combine these features near water sources to encourage safe foraging.

A well-designed wildlife garden works a bit like an apartment block — different residents, each with their own niche, all relying on the same structure.

5. Start Small but With Intention

Transforming your garden for wildlife doesn’t need to happen all at once. Choose one part of your garden — a corner of lawn, a front verge, or even a single planter. Replace turf with flowering natives, add layered planting, or set up a water dish surrounded by shade and structure. Observe what arrives and adjust as you go.

Every successful wildlife garden starts this way: one decision at a time, repeated. When neighbours see what’s possible, they often follow — and soon, one small patch becomes part of a living network across fences and streets.

If you’d like more detailed guidance, Gardens for Wildlife Victoria offers local programs, workshops and volunteer sessions that help homeowners design and plant gardens to support native species. It’s a great way to learn, connect and see what’s already working in your area.

For the Life of Your Garden

If each of us turned even a small part of our lawns into living habitat — a square metre here, a flower there — it's possible we could knit together thousands of micro-sanctuaries across our suburbs.

(¹Source: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water — “State of the Environment” Report.

² Source: The Value of Backyards, The Connective (2021).)