Outdoor Kitchen Benchtops Australia

Sintered stone Taj Mahal outdoor BBQ

Australia has the perfect climate for outdoor cooking. Warm days, long nights, and easy living make the outdoor kitchen one of the most used areas in many homes. The benchtop is the most important part of the space. It takes the heat, the sun, the spills, and the daily use.

This guide explains the best outdoor kitchen benchtop materials in Australia, what to avoid, and why sintered stone is now the leading choice for long term strength and low care.

Other articles you might like:

  1. Outdoor Kitchen Layouts
  2. Building and outdoor kitchen with a BBQ
  3. Choosing the right stone for outdoor spaces

What makes a good outdoor kitchen benchtop

Outdoor benchtops must handle more than indoor ones. They face heat from the BBQ, sun exposure, changes in temperature, food spills, and cleaning products. A good outdoor benchtop needs five things.

  • Heat safety
  • UV stability
  • Low water absorption
  • Strong and chip safe
  • Easy care with simple cleaning

Many common indoor materials struggle outdoors. Some can fade, crack, swell, or stain when exposed to sun or weather. This is why choosing the right surface matters.

The best outdoor kitchen benchtop materials in Australia

Below is a clear breakdown of the most common options and how they perform outdoors.

Material Heat Safe Sun Safe Water Safe Care Level
Sintered Stone Very high Very high Very high Low care
Granite High Medium to high Medium Needs sealing
Concrete High Medium Medium Needs sealing
Regular Tile High Medium Low Grout stains
Porcelain Tile High Medium Medium Low to medium

Why sintered stone is the top outdoor benchtop choice

Sintered stone is now the leading outdoor kitchen surface in Australia. It handles heat, sun, rain, and daily food use without the issues seen in many other materials.

It is made from natural minerals that are pressed and heated at extreme levels. This creates a strong surface that stays stable outdoors. It is also one hundred percent government approved as a safe material alternative to the former high crystalline silica engineered benchtops used in many older homes.

For the outdoor entertainers, this is the perfect blend of style and function. A safe and sustainable surface that stands up to the Aussie sun with ease. 

Key benefits

  • Very strong and hard to chip
  • Heat safe for outdoor cooking
  • UV stable so it does not fade
  • Stain safe and very easy to clean
  • Works in full sun and near the BBQ
  • Needs no sealing or ongoing care
  • Comes in many natural stone looks

Best colours for outdoor benchtops

These colours work very well outdoors in Australian light.

These tones handle sun well and pair with timber decks, stone pavers, coastal landscaping, and modern outdoor furniture.

Marvel gold sintered stone used for BBQ areaPictured: Marvel Gold 

Outdoor kitchen benchtop ideas

  • Run one long benchtop along the back wall with a built in BBQ
  • Use the same slab for the island and the back bench for a joined look
  • Add a raised ledge behind the BBQ to protect from heat
  • Use a slab splashback for easy cleaning
  • Choose matte finishes for soft outdoor light

Concrete look sintered stone outdoor kitchenPictured: Tambora

Can sintered stone be used in full sun

Yes. This is one of the main reasons people choose it. It does not fade or yellow even in strong Australian sunlight.

Can it sit next to a BBQ

Yes. Sintered stone is heat safe and handles the temperature changes that come from outdoor cooking.

Is it safe for outdoor food prep

Yes. It is a low care surface that does not need sealing and does not hold stains or smells.

Next steps

If you are planning an outdoor kitchen in Australia, choosing the right benchtop will shape how the space feels and how long it lasts. Sintered stone gives you the look of natural stone with far greater strength and almost no care.

Explore our full range of sintered stone colours below or visit one of our showrooms.

View the sintered stone range

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