Alfresco & outdoor kitchens in Pakenham & Cardinia.
From a standalone BBQ-and-sink station ($8K) through to a fully enclosed alfresco room with pizza oven, fridge, dishwasher, sound system and ceiling fans ($80K). The fastest-growing outdoor-living category in Cardinia Shire.
Four levels of outdoor cooking.
Level 1: BBQ kitchen station ($8K–$15K).
A masonry or stone-clad bench with built-in BBQ, optional sink with cold water, storage cupboards, optional bar fridge. Under an existing pergola or freestanding. Best for owners who want the cooking outdoors but don’t need a full entertaining room. Most popular spec: Beefeater Discovery 4-burner, ZipHydro sink tap, stone-clad bench, Vintec bar fridge.
Level 2: Full outdoor kitchen ($15K–$30K).
Adds hot water plumbing, dishwasher, full-size outdoor fridge, multiple cooking surfaces (BBQ + side burner + pizza oven option). Often a 3m+ run of bench. Power-sealed against weather, marine-grade hinges and stainless-steel construction. Best for serious entertainers and larger-family hosting.
Level 3: Enclosed alfresco room ($30K–$50K).
An attached or detached structure with proper walls (or sliding-stack glass on 2-3 sides), full roof, all outdoor-kitchen features, ceiling fans, heating (radiant or gas), sound system, screen TV, bar seating. Effectively a small extension that uses indoor-outdoor flow. Most common in Lakeside, Beaconsfield, Mt Eliza-adjacent blocks.
Level 4: Pavilion-class outdoor room ($50K–$80K).
Pool-side or garden-feature pavilion with everything in Level 3 plus premium finishes (stone walls, exposed timber beams, custom joinery, architectural lighting), often a wood-fired pizza oven on a feature chimney, sometimes a powder room. The acreage and Lakeside premium-block spec.
Specifications we get right.
- Gas: dedicated outdoor-rated gas line, certified by licensed plumber, with shut-off near the appliance.
- Plumbing: hot and cold to sink + dishwasher, drain to legal point of discharge, frost-rated for Pakenham winters.
- Electrical: RCD-protected outdoor circuit, weatherproof powerpoints, dedicated circuits for fridge + dishwasher, LED lighting on a separate switch.
- Ventilation: rangehood ducted properly if the kitchen is enclosed; otherwise open-air ventilation OK.
- Drainage: floor slopes 1:80 minimum to drain spills toward grate, not back into the house.
Common pitfalls.
- Pizza oven without proper chimney clearance — fire risk on BMO properties
- Outdoor fridge in direct sun — energy use doubles, life halves
- Cheap stainless that pits within 2 years (marine-grade 316 minimum)
- Drainage trapped behind a wall — mould and slab cracking within 18 months
Where we work.
Free alfresco kitchen consultation.
Brand + appliance samples. Honest level-of-build advice.