Australia New Zealand Golf: Great Golf Courses
This non-stop golf adventure brings you to some of the top courses in Australia and New Zealand, including Barnbougle, Kauri Cliffs, and Cape Kidnappers. Gorgeous scenery, unique wildlife tours, and magnificent wineries make for a truly spectacular golf getaway.
This Australia New Zealand Golf: Great Golf Courses vacation was designed for a couple from North Carolina who loved golf. Since we are passionate golfers ourselves, we love planning golf vacations in our special corner of the world! This vacation was a wonderful combination of Australia and New Zealand’s great golf courses.
They started their Australia New Zealand Golf: Great Golf Courses vacation in beautiful Tasmania, where they golfed both Lost Farm and Barnbougle Dunes. The rugged northeast coast of Tasmania is one of the most ideal places in the world for a links golf course. On this coastal strip, where stark beaches fold into undulating farmlands, the 2 legendary courses of Barnbougle Golf Links have been crafted out of an extraordinary landscape. After golfing some Top 100 golf courses in Tasmania, they flew to Melbourne so they could golf at the world-famous Kingston Heath. Kingston Heath Golf Club is ranked as the No. 2 course in Australia. They enjoyed a private wine tasting tour in the famous Yarra Valley. And then flew to Sydney to play at the New South Wales Golf Club.
Then their Australia New Zealand Golf: Great Golf Courses vacation took them to New Zealand. They played at the fabulous Gulf Harbour Country Club, as well as a game at their incredible golf resort in the Karikari Peninsula. To cap off their whirlwind golf adventure, they stayed at 2 of our favorite grand golf lodges in New Zealand: The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. These incredible luxury lodges offer an amazing getaway for golfers and non-golfers alike, set among some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery. They were able to play a round at both top-ranked golf courses. They also stopped in Te Arai to play one of the hottest golf courses in New Zealand
At last, it was time to say goodbye to New Zealand and begin their journey back home. Their Australia New Zealand Golf: Great Golf Courses vacation was the perfect getaway, with some exceptional challenges on the course and unforgettable experiences in these unique countries!
One note about golf availability: Certain courses, specifically Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, and New South Wales have certain tee time blocks during the week that welcome international guests and may impact availability. Also, as with with the case of any course around the world, there may be events or renovations that may affect access to the facilities.
Accommodations
- 4 Nights Barnbougle Lost Farm Lodge
- 3 Nights QT Melbourne
- 3 Nights Cappella Sydney
- 1 Night Qt Auckland
- 2 Nights The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
- 3 Nights Te Arai Links
- 2 Nights The Farm Cape Kidnappers
Golf
- 18 Holes Lost Farm Golf Course
- 18 Holes Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course
- 18 Holes Royal Melbourne
- 18 Holes Kingston Heath
- 18 Holes New South Wales Golf Club
- 18 Holes Kauri Cliffs
- 18 Holes Te Arai North
- 18 Holes Te Arai South
- 18 Holes Cape Kidnappers
Transportation
- 4 Days Rental Car Tasmania
- 4 Days Rental Car Melbourne
- Private airport transfers Sydney
- Private airport transfer Auckland
- 7 Days Rental Car New Zealand
Touring
- Private Wine Tasting Tour Yarra Valley
Insider Tip
Corinne Goodman, Owner
While golfing at the world-ranked Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm courses in Tasmania, and you feel like you just can’t get enough and are fanging for a bit more? Well, you’re in luck. Say hello to Bougle Run, the newest member of the family which opened in 2021. It’s a unique 14-hole layout: 12 par-3’s and 2 short-ish par-4’s. The concept is similar to what has been done at Pinehurst with The Cradle, and at Bandon Dunes with Bandon Preserve. I’m sure Bougle Run will undoubtedly prove to be as popular as its famed big brother and sister. So go out and have a hit!
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Australia! Begin your golf adventure in Tasmania. This island-state is a unique corner of Australia, known for its ruggedly beautiful landscapes and wild coastline. Arrive at the island’s north for a 3-night stay at Lost Farm Lodge next to the famed Barnbougle Dunes. Explore Tassie’s spectacular natural attractions with short, scenic hikes, and stop in at Pub in the Paddock to enjoy a drink with the locals (including a beer drinking pig). Back at the lodge, you can enjoy fine Tasmanian food and wine.
Lost Farm Lodge
Day 2
Today, enjoy a round of golf at the highly acclaimed Barnbougle Dunes, which mirrors the wild, coastal links courses of Scotland, following undulating dunes. Golf at Barnbougle is a game of strategy, where each shot requires tactical thought, and a little creativity can be very rewarding. It’s strong enough to test gifted golfers, yet fair enough to be enjoyed by the average player.
Lost Farm Lodge
Day 3
Today, play Barnbougle’s other famous course, The Lost Farm. With a reputation for minimalist course design and a philosophy that traditional, strategic golf is the most rewarding, head architect Bill Coore created the 20-hole Lost Farm with the intention of complementing the canvas provided by the dramatic Anderson Bay coastline. This course’s coastline fairways present a different challenge than Barnbougle Dunes, and will excite golfers of all abilities.
Lost Farm Lodge
Day 4
Today is completely at leisure to enjoy the gorgeous scenery, world-class food and wine, and friendly local characters of Tasmania. Perhaps enjoy a privately guided wildlife tour of Tasmania with our mates at Pepper Bush Adventures, or try a tour of the Tamar Wine Valley, well known for pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, and sparkling varietals.
Lost Farm Lodge
Day 5
Enjoy a private transfer to the airport and fly to Melbourne, Australia’s “second city” and the hub of chic style and delicious food. Pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel.You will arrive into time to get a round of golf in at Kingston Heath Golf Course. Your evening is free to explore Melbourne’s colorful streets, indulge in gourmet cuisine, enjoy boutique shopping, and more.
QT Melbourne
Day 6
Today you take a private transfer to golf at Royal Melbourne. The Royal Melbourne was the location of the Presidents Cup 2011; our contacts can get you in for an exclusive tee time.
QT Melbourne
Day 7
Depart from your hotel towards the Yarra Valley, visiting an iconic local winery renown for its bubbles, prepared in the traditional Champagne style. Enjoy a great morning tea and cheese tasting at the local dairy. Choose a winery to suit your tastes from more than fifty in the region. Sample some of the regions best produce, prepared to perfection at a favourite local lunch spot. Spend some time at Healesville Sanctuary, a wildlife park of national renown where you can feed the kangaroos and play with the possums. As an alternative, you might like to visit Australia’s best gin distillery or an iconic local brewer to taste some more of the regions favourite exports. Turn back for Melbourne through the rolling hills. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and native parrots.
QT Melbourne
Day 8
Today you are off to Sydney, your last stop in Australia. Spend the day at your leisure in Sydney. If you like, we can arrange dinner reservations at a waterside restaurant, where you can watch in amazement as the Sydney Opera House is lit up with dazzling animations.
Capella Sydney
Day 9
After a short private transfer to the course, you are on to playing the New South Wales Golf Club. One of the most sensational golf courses in all of Australia, the New South Wales Golf Club boasts breathtaking panoramic views and the toughest and most testing holes in the country. The entire course offers tremendous views and an amazing series of holes that have been built around, over and through the hills and valleys toward the gorgeous coastline.
Capella Sydney
Day 10
Explore Sydney at your leisure today. Visit the popular Bondi Beach or Manly Beach, go shopping at fabulous boutiques, and discover the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.
Cappella Sydney
Day 11
A nonstop flight today gets you to Auckland. Once in Auckland, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to explore. Check out some of the restaurants and bars, maybe a lovely outdoor cafe overlooking the harbor.
QT Auckland
Day 12
Today pick up your rental car and it’s a scenic, 4- to 5-hour drive up to the Northlands to the Karikari Peninsula, home of your fabulous golf resort. See spectacular Kauri forests and sea vistas along the way to this location near the beautiful Bay of Islands. Covering 3,000 acres, your resort has a heated infinity pool, hot tub, acclaimed vineyard and winery, a working Black Angus beef stud farm, and 900 acres of restored wetlands on site. A wide range of leisure activities including horse riding, fishing, skeet shooting, and scuba diving are also easily arranged.
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Day 13
18 holes, an electric golf cart, and rental clubs have been arranged for your tee time today at your resort golf course. This championship-standard course encompasses a variety of terrains with sweeping ocean and vineyard views. After your game, drive to one of the most spectacular lodges in the world for golfers and non-golfers alike: Kauri Cliffs. Some would say this is the grandest of the grand lodges in New Zealand. You’ll have 2 nights at this one-of-a-kind luxury lodge, including multi-course dinner, cooked breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, complimentary minibar, and use of all lodge facilities except spa treatments.
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Day 14
Today you travel South through the beautiful landscapes of the island to the famous Te Arai Links. Your accommodation is luxuriously understated aesthetic and uncompromising build quality. The buildings blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, so that the architecture feels that it belongs in this absolutely stunning environment. The interiors, combine beauty, functionality and authenticity to create spaces that are calm, relaxing and provide enduring comfort.
Te Arai Links
Days 15-16
You get 18 holes on both the North and the South courses. Te Arai Links comprises two pure-links golf courses, nestled into the undulating coastal landscape – each offering different perspectives of the stunning sea views and islands beyond. As you walk and marvel at the beauty of the courses, you’ll see and hear the sound of crashing surf, and smell the salt in the air as you enjoy all the special details and hospitality on offer. Te Arai Links is a must-visit destination for anyone in search of the World’s best golf.
Te Arai Links
Day 17
Take 2 short flights to Hawke’s Bay today for another highlight of your golf adventure: Cape Kidnappers. A sister property of Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers is another world-renowned golf course. Your stay includes pre-dinner drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a la carte dinners, heated infinity pool, Jacuzzi, mountain bikes, and ample walking trails. One absolute must-do while you’re here is the scenic nature walk to view adorable kiwi birds in the wild. The kiwi is New Zealand’s national bird, yet it can be quite difficult to spot in the wild. Cape Kidnappers’ kiwi researchers will roust the sleeping birds from a nap, and you can hold them in your hands!
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Day 18
You’ll have 18 holes at the amazing Cape Kidnappers Golf Course today. Designed by famed architect Tom Doak, this par-71 track is always near the top of the world golf course rankings. Stand 140 meters above sea level and look out across the waves far below in Hawke’s Bay. Three times, you’ll have to make the perilous leap from the end of one ridge to the end of the next. Careful—it takes 10 seconds of hang time for your ball to reach the ocean below.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Day 19
Today marks the end of your magical golf vacation in Australia and New Zealand. Drive yourself to the airport for your flight back home with your swing perfected and eyes agog at the amazing views from some of the South Pacific’s most magnificent golf courses.
About this vacation
Cost Per Person
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