Traditional turf lawns are often high water users and can look unsightly during water restrictions and times of low-rainfall. There are a number of traditional lawn turfs that are relatively low water users including Sir Walter Buffalo.
You may want to consider a native grass lawn. One of the most successful native grasses that creates the look of a traditional lawn is weeping grass (Microlaena stipoides). It can be mown regularly and will grow well in a wide range of soils. Weeping grass is drought, frost and shade tolerant, but does not cope with heavy traffic or dog urine. It is excellent for a front lawn and can be grown from seed or plugs.
If you like clumps of tussocky grasses then kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra), Wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia spp.) and common tussock grass (Poa spp.) are
great alternatives.
You can also use groundcover plants that form dense mats, don’t require mowing and perform well in the shade. Examples include: kidney plant (Dichondra repens),
creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolia) and native mint (Mentha diemenica).
Or you may prefer to do away with a lawn/plant alternative altogether. Lawn areas can be replaced with gravel, granitic sand, pavers or mulch chips. If you are laying pavers, it is important to direct water onto garden beds or keep it on site by planting mondo grass for example, in between pavers. There are also permeable pavers on the market that allow water to seep through the paver to the soil below.