Retaining Wall

Retaining Wall

Stop Wasting Money on Cheap Materials That Won't Last

One retaining wall job. Done properly. Our galvanised steel posts resist rust for decades. Premium concrete sleepers handle heavy loads without cracking. H4 treated timber stands up to moisture and termites. Plus drainage solutions to prevent water damage.

Professional quality, tradie-friendly prices | Bayswater stock ready to go

Retaining Wall Steels H C L

Concrete Sleepers

Timber Sleepers

Aggie Pipe

Builder’s Film

Buyer's Guide

Sleeper Retaining Walls in MelbourneSteel Posts & Concrete Sleepers, delivered VIC-wide

Build one retaining wall, done properly. We stock everything for a sleeper-style retaining wall in one place: hot-dip galvanised H, C & L steel posts, 40MPa concrete sleepers, H4 treated timber sleepers, plus ag pipe and drainage gear. Pick up from our Bayswater yard or get delivery across Melbourne metro and VIC.

Shop Steel Posts Shop Concrete Sleepers Call 0456 776 666

Prefer a mortarless block wall? Browse our retaining wall blocks (Versawall, AB & Versaloc).

Which steel post pairs with which sleeper?

The post you need is set by your sleeper thickness and the height of your wall. Use this as a quick guide — final selection should follow your engineer’s design.

Steel postSleeper thicknessTypical wall height*Best for
100UC (100 Standard)75–80 mm (200 x 80)Lower walls & garden bedsDIY and standard residential walls
150UC (150 Heavy Duty)100 mm (200 x 100)Mid-height wallsHeavier loads, taller walls
200UC (Heavy Duty)100 mm+High / engineered wallsLarge or engineered projects
C / PFC ChannelEnd & start posts—The ends of a wall run
L “Corner” PFCCorner posts—90° corners

*Indicative only. Actual height depends on soil, surcharge and post embedment — always confirm with a qualified engineer.

Important

Walls over ~1 m, or any wall with a surcharge (a driveway, structure or slope above it) generally need to be designed and certified by a qualified engineer, and may require council approval. Always check your local council’s requirements before you build, and call Dial Before You Dig (1100) before excavating.

How many sleepers & posts do I need?

Posts

Posts ≈ (wall length ÷ post spacing) + 1. Spacing is set by your sleeper length and wall height.

Sleeper courses

Courses = wall height ÷ 0.2 m (each sleeper is 200 mm tall).

Total sleepers

Courses × number of bays between posts. Not sure? Send us your dimensions and we’ll work it out.

Concrete vs timber sleepers

 Concrete sleepersTimber sleepers (H4 treated pine)
LifespanVery long — won’t rot, shrink or twistGood — treated for in-ground use
Termites & fireTermite-proof, non-combustibleTreated against termites; combustible
Strength40MPa high-strength, heavy loadsLighter loads / lower walls
FinishesPlain, Smooth, Woodgrain, Stackstone, Blockface (charcoal)Natural timber look
InstallHeavier — slot between steel postsLighter to handle

Drainage & what else you’ll need

Poor drainage is the number-one cause of retaining wall failure. Behind the wall, run slotted ag pipe at the base on a 1:100 fall, backfill with free-draining 10–20 mm aggregate, and lay builder’s film to separate soil from the drainage zone. You’ll also want compacted road base for the footing — both available in our crushed rock & aggregates range.

How to build a sleeper retaining wall

  1. Check compliance

    Confirm council rules and get engineering for walls over ~1 m or with a surcharge. Call Dial Before You Dig.

  2. Set out & excavate

    Mark the line, dig a level footing trench and compact a road-base base.

  3. Set the steel posts

    Set the H posts plumb at the correct centres for your sleeper length and wall height, locking them in with bagged concrete.

  4. Slide in the sleepers

    Drop concrete or timber sleepers between the posts, levelling each course.

  5. Drainage & backfill

    Lay ag pipe, backfill with drainage aggregate in layers, no more than one sleeper high at a time.

  6. Finish

    Cap or trim as required and clear surface water away from the top of the wall.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use concrete or timber sleepers?

Concrete sleepers last longer, are termite-proof, non-combustible and handle heavier loads (40MPa) — ideal for most permanent walls. Timber (H4 treated pine) is lighter to handle and gives a natural look, and suits lower walls. Both slot between our galvanised steel posts.

What size steel posts do I need?

As a guide, 100UC posts suit 75–80 mm (200x80) sleepers for lower walls, and 150UC suits 100 mm (200x100) sleepers for taller or more heavily loaded walls. 200UC is used for high or engineered walls. Your final size should follow an engineer’s design.

How far apart do the posts go?

Post spacing is set by your sleeper length and wall height — the sleepers span between the posts. Send us your wall length and height and we’ll help you work out post centres and quantities.

Do I need council approval or an engineer?

Generally, walls over about 1 m, or any wall carrying a surcharge (driveway, building or slope above), need to be engineer-designed and certified, and may need council approval. Always check with your local council first.

How do I stop water building up behind the wall?

Install slotted ag pipe at the base on a 1:100 fall, backfill with free-draining aggregate, and direct surface water away from the top of the wall. Dry, well-drained backfill keeps pressure off the wall.

Can I pick up, or do you deliver?

Both — pick up from our yard at 3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153, or we deliver steel, sleepers and drainage gear across Melbourne metro and Victoria. Call 0456 776 666 for a delivery quote.

Everything for your retaining wall

Steel Posts (H/C/L) Concrete Sleepers Timber Sleepers Retaining Wall Blocks Ag Pipe Crushed Rock & Aggregates Builder’s Film
Trade & DIY

Retaining Wall Materials Melbourne — Why Tradies Order From Us

Same products, better service — here’s the difference.

Steel posts, sale priced

100UC–200UC galvanised H, C & L sections in stock and already at sale prices — no waiting for specials.

1–2 day delivery

Order today, on site tomorrow on steel & timber across Melbourne metro; concrete sleepers in a few days.

Pick up at Bayswater

Load your ute now — easy parking and quick in-and-out at 3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153.

Volume pricing

Bulk orders get better rates — the more you buy, the better the price. Call for a quote.

Full galvanised range

Hot-dip galvanised steel posts and 40MPa concrete sleepers. Materials that last mean fewer callbacks.

Drainage gear stocked

Ag pipe and builder’s film on the shelf — grab everything for the job in one trip.

Pick up & trade counter3/5 Newcastle Rd, Bayswater VIC 3153
Call 0456 776 666
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