QLD vs NSW Spotted Gum Decking: What’s the Difference?

What sets QLD and NSW Spotted Gum decking apart

Spotted Gum is one of Australia’s most trusted hardwoods for decking, specified for its durability, strength and character. However, you’ll often see it listed as either Queensland (QLD) or New South Wales (NSW) Spotted Gum.

While they both deliver excellent performance on site, there are visual and practical differences between the two timbers. Here’s what you should know.

Spotted Gum Decking – Benefits

Regardless of origin, Spotted Gum remains a premium timber for external decking.

• Native Australian hardwood
• Durability Class 1 (above ground) for long life
• High density and strength, ideal for high-traffic areas
• Naturally resistant to termites
• Ideal for bushfire-prone areas
• Widely used across residential and commercial projects.

From a structural and longevity perspective, QLD and NSW Spotted Gum perform the same.

Queensland (QLD) Spotted Gum Decking

Appearance & Colour

QLD Spotted Gum is known for richer and darker colours. Expect greater variation across boards, including deep browns, chocolate tones, greys and occasional red hues. This natural variation gives the timber a strong visual impact.

Grain & Texture

• Prominent gum veins
• Feature interlocked and wavy grain, including a fiddleback figure
• Noticeable board-to-board variation, even within the same pack

Density

• Slightly denser than the NSW Spotted Gum
• Feels sturdier when handling

Note: The colour variation is a feature, not a defect, and should be clearly communicated to clients to avoid confusion.

New South Wales (NSW) Spotted Gum Decking

Appearance & Colour

NSW Spotted Gum typically presents as lighter and more uniform in tone. Colours are softer browns, greys and honey hues, with less red variation compared to QLD Spotted Gum.

Grain & Texture

• Cleaner, more consistent grain
• More uniform appearance across boards than QLD Spotted Gum
• It’s slightly easier to achieve a consistent overall look

Density

• Slightly less dense than the QLD Spotted Gum
• Feels lighter when handling

Note: The consistency from board to board can be an advantage on projects where a refined or minimalist look is required.

Installation Tips

To get the best outcome from either option:

• Always pre-drill fixings due to the timber’s density
• Use stainless steel fasteners to reduce staining risk
• Correctly space boards to allow for natural timber movement
• Acclimatise boards on site before installation
• Pre-coat boards and soon after installation to manage colour and weathering

Bowens offers pre-coating services for all timber decking. To learn more, visit our pre-coated timber service page.

Timber Decking at Bowens

Bowens supplies a range of QLD and NSW Spotted Gum decking in a variety of sizes. For an extensive range of timber decking, explore Bowens online with options such as Karri decking, Merbau decking, Blackbutt decking, Grey Box decking and more.

Still unsure what timber decking you need for your job. Check out our blog “Deck Out the Deck,” for an overview of our timber decking range.