Rural Fencing- Which One Is Right For You?

Fencing Solutions for Rural Properties in Australia (Up to 5 Acres)

Choosing the right fencing for a rural property in Australia is crucial, as it impacts security, livestock management, aesthetics, and property boundaries. Surprisingly, it has little effect on perceived value at sale to most city buyers who have no idea of the costs of such things.

The right choice depends on factors like purpose, cost, durability, and ease of installation. Below, we explore the most common fencing solutions available for rural properties up to 5 acres, discussing their costs, availability, installation requirements, longevity, durability, and ideal applications.

1. Post and Wire Fencing (Plain & Barbed Wire)

A classic and affordable fencing option, post and wire fences use timber, steel, or concrete posts with multiple strands of plain or barbed wire. The most used fencing option across Australian rural properties.

• Cost: Low to moderate ($5 - $15 per metre, depending on materials)

• Availability: Readily available at rural suppliers and hardware stores like Bunnings or local fencing suppliers

• Installation Requirements: Requires setting posts (spaced 3-5 metres apart), stretching wire tightly, and securing with tensioners

• Longevity: 10-30 years, depending on post material and wire quality

• Durability: Withstands weather conditions but needs regular tensioning; barbed wire can rust over time

• Best For: Livestock containment (cattle, sheep), boundary marking

Issues: - Needs regular maintenance, easy for stock & wildlife to become tangled and trapped

2. Hinged Joint (Ringlock) Fencing

A woven wire fence with tight hinge joints, commonly used for livestock control and now also mostly used as boundary fencing for newly created rural residential blocks.requires some experience to ensure correct tensions.

• Cost: Moderate ($7 - $20 per metre)

• Availability: Available at most rural supply stores

• Installation Requirements: Posts (timber or steel) spaced 3-5 metres apart, with the fence stretched and stapled to posts

• Longevity: 20-30 years

• Durability: Stronger than plain wire; withstands pressure from animals

• Best For: Sheep, goats, horses, and general livestock control

Issues: - Often unseen by wildlife who become trapped so needs regular checking.

3. Electric Fencing

Uses electric pulses to create a psychological barrier rather than a physical one, can be used in conjunction with all fencing types.

• Cost: Moderate to high ($10- $40 per metre, including energiser and posts)

• Availability: Available from specialist fencing suppliers and agricultural stores

• Installation Requirements: Requires an energiser, insulated posts, and careful grounding setup

• Longevity: 10-20 years with regular maintenance

• Durability: Can be damaged by weather and vegetation; requires regular checks

• Best For: Cattle, horses, and keeping pests like kangaroos or feral animals out

Issues: - Can cause severe injuries to horses when electrified wire placed too low, must always run along top rail for best containment and longevity. Requires industry experience to install.

4. Wooden Post and Rail Fencing

Traditional and visually appealing, often used for horse properties or boundary fencing can be installed with little or no experience.

• Cost: High ($30 - $100 per metre, depending on timber quality)

• Availability: Requires sourcing quality hardwood or treated pine

• Installation Requirements: Labour-intensive; posts must be set in concrete, and rails nailed or bolted

• Longevity: 15-40 years, depending on timber treatment

• Durability: Strong but susceptible to termites, rot, and weathering without proper treatment

• Best For: Horse paddocks, decorative boundary fencing.

Issues: - Requires at least annual maintenance and repair for best aesthetic results.

5. Steel Pipe Fencing

A highly durable but expensive fencing solution, often used for high-traffic livestock areas. Requires professional fabrication for best visual results.

• Cost: Very high ($50 - $150 per metre)

• Availability: Available through specialist steel fabricators and fencing suppliers

• Installation Requirements: Requires welding or bolting steel sections together; concrete footings needed for posts

• Longevity: 40+ years

• Durability: Extremely strong and resistant to weathering

• Best For: Horse paddocks, cattle yards, high-strength applications

Issues: More difficult to move, remove and repair, may require skills and equipment not readily available.

6. Chain Link (Cyclone) Fencing

A secure and versatile fencing option often used for smaller enclosures.

• Cost: High ($50 - $100 per metre)

• Availability: Available at hardware and fencing supply stores

• Installation Requirements: Requires posts set in concrete, with wire mesh stretched and secured

• Longevity: 30+ years with galvanised or PVC-coated options

• Durability: Highly resistant to weather and impact

• Best For: Small livestock enclosures, security fencing

Issues: - can become noisy and dangerous if left to become loose.

7. Rabbit and Vermin-Proof Fencing

Designed to keep out pests like rabbits, foxes, and wild dogs. Requires experienced installer to ensure proper containment.

• Cost: Moderate to high ($10 - $30 per metre)

• Availability: Available at rural fencing suppliers

• Installation Requirements: Needs buried mesh to prevent digging and a strong wire structure

• Longevity: 20+ years

• Durability: Resistant to animal damage but requires regular maintenance

• Best For: Protecting crops, gardens, and small livestock from predators

Issues: - checking and maintenance needed daily to weekly in order to keep intact.

8. PVC or Vinyl Fencing

A low-maintenance and aesthetically pleasing option. Proper installation with PVC welding required to ensure longevity.

• Cost: High ($50 - $120 per metre)

• Availability: Limited suppliers in Australia; mostly special-order

• Installation Requirements: Posts set in concrete, with interlocking panels

• Longevity: 30+ years

• Durability: Weather-resistant but less impact-resistant than steel

• Best For: Entrance statements, decorative boundary fencing, equestrian properties

Issues: damage costly to repair but very rare.

9. Stone or Brick Fencing

A long-lasting and decorative fencing solution.

• Cost: Very high ($100 - $300 per metre)

• Availability: Requires specialist suppliers and stonemasons

• Installation Requirements: Labour-intensive and requires solid foundations

• Longevity: 50+ years

• Durability: Extremely strong and weather-resistant

• Best For: Premium entrance statements, boundary fencing, high-end rural properties

Issues; - Availability of matching materials in the event of damage,

Choosing the Right Fence for Your Needs

Fence Type Cost (per metre) Lifespan Best For

Post & Wire $5 - $15 10-30 years Livestock, boundary

Hinged Joint $7 - $20 20-30 years Sheep, goats, horses

Electric $8 - $30 10-20 years Cattle, pest control

Post & Rail $30 - $100 15-40 years Horses, decorative

Steel Pipe $50 - $150 40+ years Horses, high-impact areas

Chain Link $50 - $100 30+ years Security, small enclosures

Rabbit Proof $10 - $30 20+ years Crop and livestock protection

PVC/Vinyl $50 - $120 30+ years Decorative, equestrian

Stone/Brick $100 - $300 50+ years Premium boundary

What’s right for You?

The best fencing solution for your rural property depends on your budget, land use, and required durability. For livestock, wire-based options like hinged joint or electric fences are practical. If aesthetics and longevity are priorities, post and rail or stone fencing may be ideal. Understanding each option’s costs, durability, and maintenance needs helps you make an informed decision for your Australian rural property. Another contributing factor might be your thoughts on protecting local wildlife, particularly kangaroos and emus which often become entangled in the barbed wire traditionally run along the top of most fences. A solution to this is to secure something visible along the top of your existing or newly fitted fence. Anything which can be seen such as a good size piece of timber, or PVC pipe at least 3inches or 75mm in diameter. It seems to work well especially where fences are put up along well used tracks. An alternative would be to simply lower the fence slightly at that point to keep the integrity of the boundary but stop the heart-breaking issue of having to euthanize or free a medium sized scared, angry animal.

Whatever you choose it all has to sit with your conscience and budget.

Until next time