Bluestone paving, supplied and laid
Most Perth bluestone pages are stone yards. IBP Paving supplies it and lays it. It sits within our stone paving in Perth and the paving services we have run from Landsdale for over 20 years, and the lifetime workmanship warranty covers the bed, the laying and the joints.
One Perth range we supply and lay is Freo Stone's Ocean Bluestone, which comes as pavers, matching pool capping and irregular garden steppers. We can also lay bluestone you have already chosen from another yard. Either way, book a free site measure or call 0449 020 336.
What bluestone is and which finish to choose
Bluestone is the common Australian name for basalt, a volcanic rock formed as lava cools. Look closely and you will see small pinholes, sometimes grouped into what the trade calls cats paw, left by gas as the rock set. Colour varies from flat grey to blue grey, and the blue grey stone usually costs a little more.
Freo Stone describes its Ocean Bluestone as greys with white and gold swirls, misty grey when dry and deeper when wet. The range is a 600 x 300 x 25 mm paver, a 600 x 300 x 25 mm capping for pool edges and steps, and a honed irregular stepper about 500 to 700 mm across and 30 mm thick.
The finish matters more than the colour, because it sets the grip:
- Sawn is cut flat with a diamond blade and grips better than honed while staying even underfoot.
- Flamed or sandblasted is roughened for traction outdoors.
- Honed is smooth and velvety, better suited to walls and indoor floors than wet outdoor areas.
- Polished should not go outside at all.
Several suppliers claim a P5 slip rating for bluestone, but slip resistance depends on the exact stone and finish. Freo states only that Ocean Bluestone is non slip. Before bluestone goes around water, ask the supplier for the AS 4586 test report for that stone.
Source: Armstone, Bellstone, Natural Stone Paving and Stone Pavers Australia product guides; Freo Stone price list, September 2026.
Pool surrounds, paths and stepping stones
Pool surrounds and coping. Matching capping lets the paving run right to the water's edge in the same stone. Handbook HB 198 recommends at least P4 (or barefoot class B) for pool surrounds and P5 (or class C) on steps and ramps leading into the water, so choose the finish with that in mind. A bluestone look skimmer lid kit keeps the box from breaking up the paving. See our pool paving page for coping and falls.
Paths, patios and walkways. A 600 x 300 mm paver in stretcher bond gives a clean line to the front door or across an alfresco. Irregular bluestone steppers set into gravel or lawn suit a curved route through planting, which our garden path paving page covers in more detail.
Driveways. Thickness advice from stone suppliers runs from no less than 30 mm for pavers generally to 60 mm for driveways. Freo's bluestone pavers and capping are 25 mm, so a driveway in that stone needs a concrete slab under it, or a thicker bluestone from another supplier. We confirm which at the measure. Base builds are on our driveway paving page.
Source: HB 198-2014 recommendations as tabled by Ozgrind; Natural Stone Paving; Armstone; Freo Stone price list, September 2026.
Bluestone in Perth sun, sand and salt
Heat. Dark stone takes on heat. Armstone warns that bluestone can become uncomfortable underfoot after long periods in direct sun, and for areas in strong westerly sun it suggests a lighter stone such as limestone. Around a pool that faces west, we keep bluestone to the shaded side or pair it with a lighter stone.
Sand. Landsdale and the northern corridor sit on deep, free draining grey Bassendean sand, while coastal suburbs sit on Spearwood sand over Tamala limestone, where digging can hit caprock. See our Landsdale page for the inland picture.
Salt. Within about 1 to 2 km of the ocean, salt carried on the wind drives efflorescence, the white bloom that comes up through paving. Suppliers describe bluestone as salt resistant and suited to pool coping, though we found no independent test data. Coastal suburbs such as Hillarys get the most wind borne salt. Freo also warns that salty cracker dust directly under the stone can cause salt attack, so it stays out of the bedding.
Crossovers. The verge section of a driveway is set by council. Natural bluestone is not a listed crossover material in most Perth council guidelines. The City of Joondalup and the City of Stirling list flagstone type products, while the City of Wanneroo lists concrete or brick paving. Any bluestone crossover needs the council's approval before we lay it.
Source: City of Wanneroo, City of Joondalup and City of Stirling crossover guidelines; City of Wanneroo and Perth Groundwater Atlas soil notes; Armstone; Freo Stone.
How bluestone is laid
The method depends on the stone's thickness and what sits under it; we confirm it at the measure. For Freo Stone bluestone, Freo's installation guidance sets the base, and Freo says laying outside it can compromise the stone warranty:
- Compacted ground, with yellow plasterers sand as the final screed in contact with the stone.
- No salty cracker dust directly under the stone.
- Restrained edges and full joints.
- Joints filled with a bagged joint powder such as Adbri Pave Set, swept in, settled with a plate compactor run over carpet, then misted to set. Never washed white or yellow sand.
Thinner stone on a concrete slab goes down on a moisture sensitive adhesive, and because of the pinholes a pre-sealer before grouting stops grout staining the face. Every job falls away from the house, with runoff directed to garden, lawn or a soakwell.
Sealing and care. Freo's advice is to seal only if the site needs it, and that no sealer beats the wrong sealer. For Ocean Bluestone it names CCS Streetscape or Spirit Seal for a natural look and CCS Stain Block for a darker wet look, and says Crommelin sealers are not compatible with its stone. For cleaning, sweep first, spot clean, keep a pressure washer about 30 cm off the face on a wide spray, and never use acid. More on sealers and resealing is on our paving sealing and cleaning page.
Source: Freo Stone bluestone page, installation, sealing and care guidance; Armstone.
What bluestone paving costs in Perth
We found no published Perth supply and lay rate for bluestone, so we quote it per job after measuring rather than invent a figure.
On Freo Stone's September 2026 price list, inc GST and marked on sale, Ocean Bluestone pavers are $69 per square metre, capping is $38 per lineal metre and irregular steppers are $59 each, supply only. That makes the stone cheaper to buy than any travertine on the same list, which starts at $79.90 per square metre. As indicative Perth industry ranges, Perth Pavers puts installed travertine and porcelain driveways at $200 or more per square metre.
The laying cost depends on the base (compacted sand or a slab), the amount of cutting, capping and steps, access for barrows and machines, and whether sealing is wanted. Other materials are in our Perth paving cost guide.
Source: Freo Stone price list, September 2026 (supply only, inc GST); Perth Pavers, Driveway Pavers Perth, June 2026. Indicative Perth industry ranges, not IBP's price list.
Bluestone or another stone
Choose bluestone for a dark, contemporary look on paths, patios and shaded pool areas. Choose limestone or travertine where bare feet meet full afternoon sun. For a driveway, also compare granite. For an irregular look, bluestone also comes as crazy paving, fitted by hand on a mortar bed.
