Cedar Picnic Tables in Australia
Cedar is a popular choice for outdoor furniture in North America and Europe. In Australia, however, cedar picnic tables are far less common, and for good reason. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is not grown commercially in Australia, meaning every cedar picnic table sold here is imported, adding significant cost and lead time. More importantly, cedar is not rated under the Australian Standard AS 5604 for timber durability in ground or near-ground contact, which is the environment most outdoor picnic tables face.
If you have been searching for a cedar picnic table in Australia and found limited options, that reflects the reality of the market. Australian furniture makers, including Auscraft, work with locally grown and milled hardwoods that outperform imported cedar in nearly every metric that matters for the Australian climate.
This guide compares cedar against the three Australian hardwoods Auscraft uses: Spotted Gum, Ironbark and Merbau. The comparison is factual and fair, if cedar genuinely suited Australian conditions better, we would say so. It does not.
How Cedar Compares to Australian Hardwoods
Cedar is a softwood. In timber classification, softwood does not mean "soft to the touch", it refers to the botanical origin (conifer vs. angiosperm). However, cedar is genuinely less dense than Australian hardwoods, which has direct consequences for outdoor furniture durability.
The key comparison metrics are Janka hardness (resistance to surface wear and denting), natural durability class under AS 5604, and dimensional stability (resistance to warping and splitting as moisture content changes seasonally).
Western Red Cedar has a Janka hardness of approximately 350 lbf. Spotted Gum sits at 11 kN (approximately 2,472 lbf). Ironbark exceeds 14 kN. Even Merbau, the softest of the three Auscraft species, is rated at 8.6 kN, more than double cedar. For a picnic table that will see decades of use, be dragged across concrete, and absorb the weight of adults and children daily, this difference is meaningful.
Durability Ratings: Cedar vs Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Merbau
AS 5604 classifies timber into durability classes for above-ground and in-ground contact. Class 1 is the highest rating, expected service life of 25+ years above ground without chemical treatment. Class 4 is lowest.
| Timber | Type | AS 5604 Class (Above Ground) | Janka Hardness | Available in Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar | Softwood | Not rated (import) | ~350 lbf | Import only |
| Spotted Gum | Hardwood | Class 1 | 11 kN | Yes, NSW, QLD, VIC |
| Ironbark | Hardwood | Class 1 | 14+ kN | Yes, NSW, QLD |
| Merbau | Hardwood | Class 2 | 8.6 kN | Yes, imported, widely stocked |
The practical upshot: Spotted Gum and Ironbark are expected to outlast cedar in Australian outdoor conditions by a significant margin, with no chemical treatment required. Cedar will require more frequent maintenance, resealing, and is more vulnerable to surface checking (small cracks along the grain) in high-UV and humid conditions.
Cost Comparison
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Because cedar must be imported to Australia, landed costs are higher than locally milled hardwood. A cedar picnic table from an Australian supplier, if you can find one, will typically be priced similarly to or above an equivalent Spotted Gum table, without the durability advantage.
When you factor in the 25-year service life of a Class 1 hardwood table against an estimated 10 to 15 years for cedar in Australian conditions, the cost-per-year calculation strongly favours hardwood. A Spotted Gum picnic table that lasts 25 years at $1,800 costs $72 per year. A cedar table at $1,500 lasting 12 years costs $125 per year, 73% more over time.
For commercial buyers, councils, schools, hospitality venues, this lifecycle cost difference is material. Many procurement guidelines now specify minimum durability class ratings precisely to avoid premature replacement costs.
Climate Suitability in Australia
Australia's climate presents specific challenges that cedar was not evolved to handle. High UV intensity degrades surface finishes faster than in temperate northern hemisphere climates. Humidity swings in coastal and subtropical regions cause more significant timber movement. And for coastal locations, salt air accelerates degradation of any surface finish and penetrates checks in the timber grain.
Spotted Gum and Ironbark have evolved in eastern Australia over millions of years. They are structurally adapted to this climate. Their high tannin content provides natural resistance to insects and fungal decay. Their density limits moisture absorption. In contrast, cedar, even with annual re-oiling, will show surface checking and colour fade more quickly in Australian conditions than in the Pacific Northwest climates it is native to.
For high-UV and coastal locations, Auscraft recommends Spotted Gum or Ironbark over cedar for any outdoor application. For inland and protected settings with lower humidity variation, Merbau is a practical mid-range option.
Our Recommendation
Ready to order? Request a free quote from our West Gosford NSW workshop, we respond within one business day.
If you specifically want the aesthetic of cedar, its warm reddish-brown tone and tight grain, the closest Australian equivalent is Spotted Gum, which achieves a similar visual character while significantly outperforming cedar on every durability metric. Ironbark is darker and denser, suited to high-traffic commercial applications. Merbau is a warm mid-brown, commonly used in decking and outdoor furniture across Australia for its balance of cost and durability.
All Auscraft picnic tables are custom-built to order in West Gosford, NSW, and delivered Australia-wide. View our full range at picnic tables Australia, or explore treated pine vs hardwood for another common comparison. For custom sizing or commercial enquiries, visit our technical specifications page or get a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cedar good for outdoor furniture in Australia?
Cedar can be used for outdoor furniture in Australia but is not an ideal choice. Western Red Cedar is not grown commercially in Australia (all cedar is imported), is not rated under AS 5604 for outdoor durability, and is less dense than Australian hardwoods such as Spotted Gum and Ironbark. In Australia's high-UV and humid coastal conditions, cedar requires more frequent maintenance than Class 1 rated hardwoods and is expected to have a shorter service life.
What Australian timber is most similar to cedar for outdoor furniture?
Spotted Gum is the closest Australian hardwood equivalent to cedar in terms of appearance, warm reddish-brown tone, tight grain, attractive figure. It significantly outperforms cedar on durability, rated Durability Class 1 under AS 5604 with an expected above-ground service life of 25+ years. Merbau is another option with a similar warm tone, rated Class 2.
Why are cedar picnic tables hard to find in Australia?
Cedar is not grown commercially in Australia, all cedar timber sold here is imported, primarily from North America. This adds cost and supply chain complexity. Australian furniture makers predominantly use locally grown hardwoods (Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Merbau) which are more readily available, better suited to Australian conditions, and carry formal AS 5604 durability ratings that cedar does not have.
How long does a cedar picnic table last in Australia?
In Australian outdoor conditions with regular maintenance (re-oiling every 12-18 months), a cedar picnic table can last 10 to 15 years. In coastal, tropical, or high-UV environments without consistent maintenance, the lifespan may be shorter. This compares unfavourably to Class 1 Australian hardwoods like Spotted Gum and Ironbark, which are expected to last 25+ years above ground without chemical treatment.
Compare all our hardwood options. View the range →
