The cane furniture will really look nice in your verandah. As for plants, jump online and browse for some hardy plants on the Aussie websites. They are a wealth of information and if you do have a large planter box or pot make sure you put it on wheels. That way you can take your plants in and out of the house. Also put a base under the pot/planter so it catches the water and does not ruin your nice floor. You can pick these from a garden store in your area. Good luck! :) btw hope you don't mind me your spelling error "taught" should be "taut", I really hope folks correct my spelling too! cheers.

I've only done part of enclosure, put cane chairs in w/- cushions but dogs ate the cushions incl those surrounding table. I did sleep outside at opposite end of patio w/- mosquito net over bed. Son & d-in-law upset about this but I sd it was like camping out but not leaving home. They returned in April to attend wedding & insisted I sleep indoors, so moved mattress back inside but dogs had eaten mattress in the middle!

Can't you just line that part where insulation is and leave rest unlined ie don't need flush ceiling

Great you are making some improvements. I was going to suggest some screening in front of the two windows so cupboards work. With you steps widen as much as possible and then add a horizontal plank on top of the retaining wall you have to act as a long seat. This and the steps will give more informal seating and add some depth. Consider some tall plants at start of your wind tunnel to disperse the wind or angled slats