Tel: (02) 6495 7877
Density - 950 to 1100 kg/m³
Hardness - Very hard, Janka rating 11.0 kN
Durability Above ground - Class 1 / 40 years Durability In ground - Class 2 / 25 years
Naturally termite-resistant
BAL 29
Readily available
Australian Spotted Gum Timber
Spotted Gum is a premium Australian hardwood renowned for its strength, durability, and distinctive wavy grain, making it an exceptional choice for decking. Its rich color palette, ranging from pale greys to deep browns, enhances outdoor spaces with natural beauty. Highly resistant to termites, impact, and bushfire (BAL-29), Spotted Gum decking is well-suited for harsh Australian conditions. Its natural oils provide superior weather resistance, ensuring long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. Ideal for residential and commercial applications, Spotted Gum decking combines durability, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability for a stylish and resilient outdoor solution.
What are the benefits of using Spotted Gum Timber in Building and Construction?
Durable
It has a Class 1 durability rating for above-ground use and Class 2 in-ground, meaning it resists decay, rot, and insect attack—suitable for long-term outdoor use.
Workability
It machines well, holds nails and screws strongly, and has minimal shrinkage or movement, making it a builder- and installer-friendly timber for a wide range of applications.
Hardness & Strength
Spotted Gum is one of the hardest commercial timbers in Australia, making it ideal for high-traffic areas, heavy-duty structural applications, and flooring.
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Fire Resistant
Spotted Gum meets the BAL-29 bushfire rating, making it a reliable choice in bushfire-prone areas without requiring additional fire treatments.
Spotted Gum Properties
Spotted Gum trees grow naturally in:
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New South Wales (NSW): Mainly along the coastal areas and tablelands, particularly from the Hunter region northward.
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Queensland: Widespread from the southeast up into central coastal areas, thriving in both coastal and inland environments.
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Victoria: Found naturally in the far eastern parts, especially near the border with New South Wales.
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Western Australia: A related species (Corymbia maculata) occurs naturally in small pockets along the southwest coast.
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Spotted Gum is a very hard and durable Australian hardwood, with a density typically ranging from 950 to 1100 kg/m³. It is prized for its strength, natural durability, and striking grain, making it one of Australia’s premium native timbers.
Spotted Gum is a hard and resilient timber, with a Janka hardness rating of around 11.0 kN. Its impressive strength and durability make it ideal for flooring, decking, and structural applications.
Spotted Gum is rated Durability Class 1 for above-ground use and Class 2 for in-ground use. This means it offers excellent natural durability, lasting over 40 years above ground and around 25 years in direct ground contact without treatment.
Spotted Gum is naturally termite-resistant, making it a strong and reliable choice for structural, decking, and outdoor applications without requiring chemical treatment.
Susceptible: This timber is susceptible to attack by lyctid borer in the sapwood.
Spotted Gum has excellent fire resistance and is rated up to BAL-29 under the Australian Standard AS 3959, making it a suitable choice for building in bushfire-prone areas.
Typical uses of Spotted Gum timber include:
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Decking
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Flooring
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Posts and beams
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Cladding and screening
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Outdoor furniture
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Landscaping and retaining walls
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Structural applications (including framing and bridges)
Its combination of strength, durability, natural beauty, and termite resistance makes Spotted Gum a highly versatile timber for both structural and decorative uses.
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Colour variations in Spotted Gum Timber
Spotted Gum is known for its striking colour variation, ranging from pale greys and soft creams through to rich browns and deep, earthy reds. The sapwood is usually distinctly lighter, almost white to light brown, creating a beautiful contrast. Its texture is moderately coarse but even, and the grain is often wavy or interlocked, giving Spotted Gum its characteristic flowing, organic appearance. This natural movement in the grain enhances its visual appeal, especially when finished.
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Some of our Spotted Gum products
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Get The Spotted Gum Timber Look
Add a touch of natural elegance with the Spotted Gum timber look. Its unique blend of warm browns, greys, and subtle spotted patterns brings character and contemporary appeal to any space. At North Eden Timber, we offer premium Spotted Gum products for flooring, cladding, and structural applications — perfect for creating a stylish, durable Australian finish.
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Some common questions about Spotted Gum Timber
Spotted Gum Timber is a high-quality Australian hardwood derived from several species of the Corymbia genus, most commonly Corymbia maculata. It is highly valued for both its strength and aesthetic appeal, making it one of Australia's premium timber choices for various applications.
Spotted Gum is a highly versatile Australian hardwood used in decking, flooring, structural framing, posts, cladding, and landscaping. Its strength, durability, and natural resistance to fire, termites, and decay make it ideal for both residential and commercial applications, including use in bushfire-prone areas (BAL 29 compliant). With its attractive grain and colour variations, it’s also a popular choice for furniture, joinery, and architectural features.
Yes, Spotted Gum is suitable for bushfire-prone areas. It is one of the few Australian hardwoods rated as compliant for use in areas up to BAL 29 (Bushfire Attack Level 29) without needing fire-retardant treatment. Its natural density, low flammability, and durability make it a preferred choice for decking, cladding, and structural applications in bushfire zones.
Spotted Gum is naturally durable and termite-resistant, so it generally doesn't need to be treated before use in above-ground applications. However, for applications that require extra protection, such as in ground contact or high moisture areas, ACQ-treated Spotted Gum is an excellent option. ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) treatment enhances the timber’s resistance to termites, decay, and fungal attack, making it suitable for landscaping, posts, and other ground-contact uses. For above-ground, external applications, a protective finish like oil or sealer is recommended to maintain its appearance and weathering performance.
Spotted Gum timber is highly durable. It ranks among the top hardwoods in Australia with an excellent resistance to wear, decay, and termites. Its Janka hardness rating is quite high, making it ideal for areas that experience heavy foot traffic or exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Spotted Gum includes several species, with the most common being Corymbia maculata (the classic Spotted Gum), Corymbia variegata (Grey Spotted Gum), and Corymbia citriodora (Lemon-scented Gum). The most widely used is Corymbia maculata, known for its rich colour and strength. Corymbia variegata is more subdued in hue, while Corymbia citriodora is valued for its lemon scent. All types share excellent durability, fire resistance, and termite resistance, making them suitable for a range of outdoor and structural applications.
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"The best friend on earth of man is the tree: When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the earth."
Frank Lloyd Wright
North Eden Timber
18 Sir William McKell Drive
Pambula
2549