Softfall Mulch – Playground Certified Eucalyptus Mulch

Independently Tested. No Asbestos Detected.

Our softfall mulch (eucy mulch) is independently tested to AS 4454:2012, the Australian Standard for composts, soil conditioners and mulches: no asbestos detected (including trace asbestos), heavy metals below the standard’s unrestricted use limits, and clean of physical contaminants. Combined with its impact-absorbing playground performance, that makes it the safe choice for schools, childcare centres, public playgrounds and backyard play areas. Test certificate available on request.

Softfall Mulch is a certified playground‑safe mulch made from clean, shredded eucalyptus timber.
Designed for use under playground and recreational equipment, it provides a cushioned, impact‑absorbing surface that meets Australian safety standards for playground surfacing.

• Impact absorption — Reduces the risk of injury from falls
• Certified safe — Meets Australian Standards AS 4422 for playground surfacing
• Durable eucalyptus timber — Resists breakdown and compaction for long‑lasting performance
• Low maintenance — Easy to top‑up and refresh as needed
• Attractive natural look — Complements outdoor play areas and landscaping

Ideal for schools, childcare centres, public playgrounds, and backyard play areas, Softfall Mulch offers both safety and a natural aesthetic.
Its eucalyptus composition provides durability, comfort underfoot, and a fresh, natural scent.

Softfall playground mulch

Our softfall mulch is a shredded eucalyptus playground mulch — no sharp edges, non-toxic, and independently tested with no asbestos detected. It is used as the impact-absorbing surface beneath swings, slides and climbing equipment at schools, childcare centres, councils and backyard play areas across Sydney. Playground surfacing is assessed against AS/NZS 4422 (impact attenuation); lay softfall to the depth your certifier specifies for the equipment fall height.

How much softfall mulch do I need?

For a compliant playground surface, softfall is laid deep — commonly around 300 mm — so it cushions falls from play equipment. At 300 mm, one cubic metre covers roughly 3–3.5 m²; as a general garden mulch at 75 mm it covers about 13 m². Tell us your play-area size and equipment fall height and we will help you work out the depth and quantity.

Where softfall mulch is used

• Schools, preschools and childcare centres
• Council parks and public playgrounds
• Backyard swing sets and cubby areas
• Horse arenas and high-traffic paths

Why eucalyptus softfall?

Shredded eucalyptus is durable and knits together as a cushioned layer, resists compacting to mud the way finer products can, and weathers to a natural finish. It also doubles as a premium eucalyptus garden mulch for beds where you want a long-lasting, natural cover.

Softfall & playground mulch delivery — Penrith & Sydney

Bulk softfall (playground) mulch delivered by the cubic metre across Penrith and Western Sydney, or Sydney-wide for larger orders — or pick up from our Jamisontown yard. Call 1300 935 483 for a delivered price to your postcode.

Choosing playground mulch

Playground mulch — softfall — is shredded timber laid deep enough to cushion falls under play equipment. It is not the same product as garden chip. Genuine softfall is produced for impact absorption: long, fibrous shreds that knit together into a springy mat instead of compacting hard or scattering.

What to check before you buy

• Certification — genuine softfall is tested to the playground surfacing standard (AS 4422). Ask to see the test certificate; ours is available on request.
• Contaminant testing — mulch for children’s areas should be independently tested (ours to AS 4454:2012) with no asbestos detected and heavy metals below the standard’s limits.
• Clean source timber — shredded plantation eucalyptus, never CCA-treated timber or demolition waste.
• Shred, not chip — fibrous shred knits into a stable cushioning layer; chunky chip rolls underfoot and migrates.

Depth, quantity and top-ups

Softfall only protects at depth — around 300mm under equipment once settled, so order with a settling allowance rather than to the bare minimum. As a garden mulch the same product goes down at about 75mm. Kick zones under swings and slide run-outs hollow out first: rake the mulch back level every few weeks and plan a top-up about once a year to hold your depth.

Softfall or ordinary mulch?

Use certified softfall anywhere children play under equipment with a fall height — schools, childcare, council parks and backyard swing sets. In garden beds either works, but eucalyptus softfall lasts longer than most chip mulches and weathers to a clean natural finish.

Installing new play equipment as well? Posts get set with concrete mix / core fill before the softfall goes down, so order both on the one delivery.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should playground mulch be?

Around 300 millimetres of settled depth under play equipment is the common benchmark for a compliant softfall surface, with the exact depth depending on the equipment's fall height. Order extra to allow for settling, and rake high-traffic spots level to maintain depth.

Is softfall mulch certified for playgrounds?

Ours is. It is a certified playground-safe surface tested to the Australian playground surfacing standard AS 4422, and independently tested to AS 4454:2012 with no asbestos detected and heavy metals below the standard's limits. The test certificate is available on request.

How often does softfall mulch need topping up?

Plan on a top-up roughly once a year to maintain protective depth, plus regular raking of the kick zones under swings and at slide run-outs, where feet hollow out the mulch fastest. High-use playgrounds at schools and childcare centres may need more frequent attention.

Can I use playground mulch in the garden?

Yes. Shredded eucalyptus softfall doubles as a premium garden mulch — laid at about 75 millimetres it suppresses weeds, holds soil moisture and breaks down slower than most chip mulches. One cubic metre covers roughly 13 square metres at garden depth.