Guides · Updated November 2026
How much does an exposed aggregate driveway cost in Melbourne?
An exposed aggregate driveway in Melbourne typically costs between about $120 and $200 per square metre installed, so a standard 50 m² single driveway lands around $6,000 to $10,000 and a double driveway of 80 to 100 m² around $10,000 to $18,000. Aggregate choice, slab thickness (125 to 150 mm), site preparation, the council crossover and sealing make up the difference. We quote after a site visit.
Prices on this page are indicative ranges for Victoria at the time of writing, not a quote. Based in Keilor East, Melbourne. Working across metropolitan and regional Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
What you're paying for
Exposed aggregate costs more than plain concrete because the mix, the pour and the finish are all different. The crew has to work to the exposure window, wash or retard the surface evenly, and seal it once it's cured.
- Mix: a minimum 32 MPa mix with the chosen stone (Dromana, Lilydale, river pebble, Castlemaine quartz and others). Decorative stones and coloured oxides add to the per-metre rate.
- Thickness and steel: driveways go in at 125 mm minimum and up to 150 mm where caravans, boats, trucks or other heavy vehicles use them, with steel reinforcement throughout.
- Preparation: cut, crushed rock base (Class 3 minimum), drainage and formwork. A sloping site or removing an old driveway adds to it.
- Crossover: the section between the kerb and your boundary is council-controlled and often needs a permit and a specified profile.
- Sealing: a penetrating or film sealer protects the stone and the colour; it's reapplied every few years.
Typical Melbourne ranges
Indicative only. Every quote we give is fixed and itemised after we've seen the site.
- Single driveway, about 50 m²: $6,000 to $10,000.
- Double driveway, 80 to 100 m²: $10,000 to $18,000.
- Paths and alfresco areas: priced per square metre, usually a little higher because of the smaller pours.
- Removing an existing driveway: typically $1,500 to $4,000 on top, depending on thickness and access.
How to keep the cost down without cheapening the job
- Choose a locally quarried aggregate rather than an imported pebble.
- Do the driveway, paths and crossover in one visit so the crew, pump and concrete come once.
- Keep the design simple: curves, bands and inlays all add formwork and finishing time.
- Decide on sealing at the start; it's cheaper done with the pour than as a return visit.
Questions we get asked
How long before I can drive on an exposed aggregate driveway?
Keep cars off for seven days. Foot traffic is fine after a day or two, and the concrete reaches full design strength at 28 days.
Does exposed aggregate need sealing?
We recommend it. Sealing holds the colour, stops oil and tyre marks soaking in and makes the surface easier to clean. It needs redoing every two to four years depending on use.
What about the council crossover?
Most Melbourne councils need a vehicle crossing permit and inspect the work. We handle the profile and the pour; you or we lodge the permit depending on the council.