The modern Australian backyard has evolved well beyond a patch of lawn and a clothesline. Today’s outdoor spaces often feature thousands of dollars worth of furniture, equipment, and lifestyle features — outdoor kitchens, freestanding spas, cantilever umbrellas, swing egg chairs, and more. Protecting all of it properly requires a coordinated approach.

This guide covers the five most commonly neglected backyard items when it comes to cover protection — and what to look for in a quality cover for each.

1. Spa Pool and Hot Tub Covers

Why They Need Protection

A spa is typically the most expensive item in a backyard. Quality hot tubs range from $3,000 for an entry-level inflatable pool to $15,000–$30,000 for a hard-sided spa with jets and heating systems. Yet many spa owners cover the water surface (for chemical and heat retention) while leaving the external spa casing fully exposed.

The spa casing — whether rotomoulded polymer, fibreglass, or synthetic wood panels — degrades under sustained UV exposure, fading and becoming brittle. Salt air, bird activity, and leaf tannins add to the degradation.

What to Look For

A spa pool cover (as distinct from the floating thermal blanket that sits on the water surface) wraps the entire external casing of the spa. Look for:

• 420D Oxford cloth with UV silver nano-coating — the silver inner lining reflects UV and reduces thermal gain inside the cover
• Multiple size variants — spas vary enormously in footprint, from compact round designs to 4-person square models
• Handles or lifting tabs — spa covers can be awkward to position correctly; handles on key corners make a real difference
• High sides that reach down to the deck surface to exclude leaf litter and insects

Cacatua offers spa pool covers in multiple sizes for both square and rectangular spa footprints, with silver nano-coating on the inner face for UV blocking and heat reflection.

Maintenance Tip

Remove the spa casing cover during regular use and monthly maintenance sessions. Even breathable covers benefit from occasional “airing out” to prevent moisture accumulation in the gap between the cover and the spa surface.

2. Patio Heater Covers

Why They Need Protection

Freestanding patio heaters — the tall, mushroom-headed natural gas or propane models common in Australian outdoor dining setups — are often left outside year-round. When not in use (which in many homes is most of the year outside of winter entertaining), they’re exposed to UV, moisture, and grime accumulation.

The heating element at the top is particularly vulnerable to moisture and debris. A small pool of water in the reflector dish can corrode the burner assembly and create safety issues when the heater is next used.

What to Look For

A patio heater cover needs to accommodate the distinctive tall, narrow profile with a wide circular head. Look for:

• Tall narrow design that fits the full height of a standard freestanding heater (most are 200–240cm tall)
• Zipped side access for quick fitting without fully disassembling
• Weighted or secured hem to prevent billowing at the base
• Heavy-duty material at the top section, which bears the brunt of direct sunlight

Cacatua’s patio heater cover is cut to accommodate the mushroom-top profile, with a full zip down one side for easy on/off and a secure hem.

Usage Note

Always ensure the heater is fully cooled before fitting the cover — at least 30–45 minutes after use. Fitting a cover over a warm element, even a “cool” one, can accelerate degradation of the cover’s waterproof coating.

3. Outdoor Umbrella and Parasol Covers

Why They Need Protection

A quality cantilever or market umbrella — particularly the popular freestanding side-post (banana) parasol designs — costs $500–$2,000+. The canopy fabric is the most vulnerable component: sustained UV exposure causes colour fading and fabric weakening, while moisture trapped in folded pleats creates mildew that’s nearly impossible to fully remove once established.

What to Look For

An outdoor umbrella cover needs to:

• Slide over the collapsed umbrella without requiring detachment from the base
• Accommodate the full folded diameter — larger cantilever umbrellas fold to a significant girth
• Secure at the bottom with a drawstring or velcro strap around the post

Cacatua offers parasol covers in three sizes, accommodating standard market umbrellas and the larger side-post cantilever models. The covers use 210D Oxford with PVC inner coating for moisture barrier performance.

When to Use

For maximum canopy life, fit the cover whenever the umbrella will be closed for more than 24 hours. This is particularly important in the lead-up to summer, when UV intensity is highest and umbrella fabric is most at risk.

4. Swing Egg Chair Covers

Why They Need Protection

The hanging egg chair has become one of the defining features of the contemporary Australian backyard. These chairs — typically wicker, rattan, or PE rattan frames with cushioned interiors — are genuinely difficult to store inside due to their size and hanging mechanism. But left uncovered outdoors, the cushion fabric bleaches, the wicker/rattan frame dries out and cracks, and the hanging hardware corrodes.

What to Look For

A swing egg chair cover needs an unusual shape — much taller than a conventional chair cover, with enough internal volume to accommodate the hanging structure when draped. Look for:

• Full-length design that covers from the top canopy to the base of the seat
• Zip or velcro opening for easy fitting without unhooking the chair
• Soft inner surface that won’t abrade wicker or rattan weave

Cacatua’s egg chair cover uses 210D Oxford with PVC coating and a zip fastening, sized to fit the most common freestanding hanging egg chair dimensions.

5. Lawn Mower Covers

Often forgotten, the lawn mower is one of the most expensive single tools in a typical home. Ride-on mowers can cost $2,000–$10,000. Even a decent push mower is $500–$1,000.

Stored in a shed or garage, mowers still benefit from covers — dust and spider web accumulation in air filter areas and electrical connections is a genuine maintenance issue. Stored outdoors (as many are), a cover is essential.

Look for a mower cover with:

• Reinforced corners that won’t snag on cutting deck hardware
• Universal sizing that accommodates both push and ride-on models
• Secure hem that won’t blow off in wind

Cacatua offers 420D Oxford lawn mower covers with double-stitched construction and elasticated hemming.

Building a Complete Backyard Protection Plan

The smart approach is to cover everything — not just the obvious items. A $20 umbrella cover protects a $800 parasol. A $35 patio heater cover protects a $400 appliance. The return on investment is extraordinary.

At Cacatua, we’ve designed covers for every corner of the Australian backyard — all using the same heavy-duty Oxford fabric and UV-protective coatings that our core outdoor furniture and vehicle covers are built around.

Build your backyard protection kit at cacatua.com.au — shipped from Melbourne, designed for Australian conditions.