Many homeowners are surprised to learn that asphalt isn’t limited to just black or grey granite. With coloured asphalt, you can create a driveway that’s not only durable and low maintenance but also visually striking. Red gravel / laterite asphalt, in particular, is a popular choice across Perth for its natural look and ability to complement a wide range of property styles.
With more than 35 years in business delivering quality asphalt driveways across WA, NK Asphalt has helped thousands of property owners improve both the appearance and functionality of their outdoor spaces.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best coloured asphalt driveway options available in Perth and what to consider when planning your own installation.
What Are The Benefits of Coloured Asphalt?
Coloured asphalt offers the same durability and performance as traditional black asphalt, with the added benefit of visual impact. Whether used for residential driveways or public spaces, it’s a practical way to improve both form and function. Here are the top benefits of coloured asphalt driveways.
- Enhanced Street Appeal – A coloured asphalt driveway creates a clean, modern finish that instantly improves the look of your property. Red gravel asphalt in particular adds contrast against landscaping, fencing, and verge areas.
- Quick, Efficient Installation – Coloured asphalt is installed using the same process as standard hot mix asphalt. For most residential driveways, the surfacing can be completed in a single day, minimising disruption and ensuring a fast turnaround. Baseworks can take a little longer.
- Weather Resistance – Like all asphalt solutions, coloured asphalt performs well in Perth’s climate. It resists cracking from external stress, drains effectively in wet weather, and retains its integrity through seasonal changes.
- Improved Safety and Visibility – The use of colour in driveways, paths, and public areas can improve visibility for vehicles and pedestrians, particularly in low-light or high-traffic conditions. This is why red gravel asphalt is often used for pedestrian walkways, bus lanes and bike paths, as well as driveways.
- Fantastic Long-Term Appearance – Over time, coloured asphalt naturally lightens as the surface oxidises and the gravel aggregate becomes more visible. This process gives red asphalt a permanent, more natural finish that maintains its colour when older, unlike concrete that fades over time.
Coloured Asphalt for Perth Hills Homes
Red gravel asphalt is a popular choice for semi-rural driveways in the Perth Hills and outer suburbs, prevalent in suburbs like Kalamunda, Mundaring, Parkerville, Roleystone, Byford, Serpentine, Bedfordale, Brigadoon, Darlington, Greenmount, Gidgegannup, Gnangara, The Vines, and Swan Valley.
The rich, earthy tones complement the native bushland, eucalypts, and red clay soils that are common throughout the region.
Red asphalt driveway with kerbing by NK Asphalt.
For properties with long, sloped, or unsealed driveways, coloured asphalt provides a clean, durable surface that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings. It’s a practical upgrade from gravel, especially in semi-rural areas where appearance and performance both matter,
and where water run-off needs to be dealt with.
Many Hills property owners also opt for extruded kerbing to protect the driveway edges, channel run-off, and create a defined edge that works well with the look of red gravel asphalt.
Selecting the Best Colour for Your Asphalt Driveway
Red Oxide Asphalt
Black Asphalt
Colours will vary from photos and from one job to another, as the aggregate in the asphalt varies naturally.
Choosing the right asphalt colour isn’t just about kerb appeal, it’s about long-term value and how the material will interact with your landscape over time. Here’s what to consider when planning your project:
Think about your surroundings
Coloured asphalt works best when it complements nearby elements like gardens, fencing, or the natural landscape.
- Red gravel asphalt is a popular choice for homes surrounded by native bushland, clay-rich soil, or large garden areas. It reflects the natural tones of the Perth Hills and semi-rural areas, creating a cohesive, earthy look. It can also create a contrast to limestone walls.
- Black asphalt can be better suited to modern, minimalist homes, especially those with monochromatic or grey-toned colour schemes, structured landscapes, or sharp architectural lines.
Plan ahead
All asphalt changes appearance over time through oxidation, a completely natural process. This occurs as the surface is exposed to sunlight, oxygen, rain and regular wear. Over time, exposure to sunlight, rain and oxygen causes the asphalt binder to harden and oxidise, allowing the aggregate to become more visible and the surface colour to lighten to its final permanent colour.
This initial ageing process doesn’t affect performance, but it does affect appearance, so it’s important to plan for how your driveway will look in 12–24 months, not just on day one.
- Red gravel asphalt will lighten from a deep maroon / dark red to a lighter, reddish brown finish.
- Black granite asphalt will gradually lighten to a medium or light grey.
Match it to your home design
Think about how the driveway interacts with your kerbing, garden beds, fencing, and façade. A well-integrated asphalt driveway can:
- Highlight architectural features
- Frame the front yard
- Visually extend the home’s colour palette into the landscape (or contrast it for interest)
- Allow easy removal of leaves / twigs etc. to give a neater appearance.
Ask for recommendations
With over 35 years of being in business, and more than 13,000 jobs completed, NK Asphalt can help you choose a colour and finish that suits your property style.
We can also provide examples of similar projects near you, so you can see how different options look in real settings and how they perform over time, as real-life examples are more reliable than photos or screen images.
Get a coloured asphalt quote
If your job is 150m2 or more and in the Perth or surrounding areas.
