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.

From $5,599
per person
16 days
Airfare additional cost
Based on
2 travelers

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. We included an OGIO All Elements Fleece Pullover in their package to handle the all-weather golf courses of Tasmania and New Zealand.

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.

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.

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!

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 the stylish Hotel Lindrum. Your evening is free to explore Melbourne’s colorful streets, indulge in gourmet cuisine, enjoy boutique shopping, and more.
Crown Promenade Melbourne

Day 6 – 8
The next 3 days are yours to spend at your leisure. There are some fantastic nearby golf courses to explore. We recommend a tee time at Kingston Heath, the Royal Melbourne, or a links course on the Mornington Peninsula, such as Moonah or The Dunes. The Royal Melbourne was the location of the Presidents Cup 2011; our contacts can get you in for an exclusive tee time.

You may also wish to enjoy some unique Australian experiences in and around Melbourne. Visit Healesville Sanctuary for exclusive wildlife interactions, like cuddling a wombat or wading with a platypus; take a helicopter flight over the famous Twelve Apostles; fly to King Island for a day tasting gourmet cheeses and wines; or head to Philip Island to see the penguin parade at dusk.
Crown Promenade Melbourne

Day 9
A nonstop flight today gets you to Auckland, where you’ll pick up a rental car and drive to the northern part of the city, the stylish North Shore. Just off Takapuna Beach and 10 minutes from downtown Auckland, your accommodations have panoramic views of Rangitoto Island, Auckland Harbour, and the Hauraki Gulf.
3.5-star hotel in North Shore Auckland

Day 10
Green fees, golf cart, and rental clubs are covered for you this morning at Gulf Harbour Country Club, just a short drive from your hotel. Consistently rated in the top 5 courses of New Zealand, Gulf Harbour contains ocean views and rolling terrain across the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore New Zealand’s most populous city.
3.5-star hotel in North Shore Auckland

Day 11
Today 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.
4-star golf resort in Karikari Peninsula

Day 12
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 13
You’ll golf Kauri Cliffs today, with golf cart and rental clubs ready. This course is consistently ranked among the world’s Top 100 Golf Courses. Hugging the west coast of the North Island in the Bay of Islands, Kauri Cliffs golf course overlooks the absolutely breathtaking Cavalli Islands and Cape Brett; 15 holes have spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, 6 of which are played alongside cliffs that plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest, and farmland. After your game, the afternoon is at leisure to try a boat charter in the scenic Bay of Islands or simply relax at your luxurious lodge.
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs

Day 14
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 15
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 afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the natural beauty of Hawke’s Bay. Activities at the lodge are too many to list, but one of our favorites is taking some quad bikes for a spin around the expansive property. For the wine lovers, world-class wineries in Hawke’s Bay are just a short drive away.
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Day 16
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.

  • 4 nights Barnbougle Lost Farm Lodge, Tasmania
  • 4 nights Crown Promenade Melbourne
  • 1 night Auckland
  • 1 night Karikari Peninsula
  • 2 nights The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs – includes breakfast and dinner
  • 2 nights The Farm at Cape Kidnappers – includes dinner
  • 16 days rental car
  • Barnbougle Dunes green fees
  • Barnbougle Lost Farm green fees
  • Gulf Harbour Golf Club green fees, cart hire, and club rental
  • Carrington Golf Course green fees, cart hire, and club rental
  • Kauri Cliffs green fees, cart hire, and club rental
  • Cape Kidnappers green fees, cart hire, and club rental
  • OGIO All Elements Stretch Fleece Pullover

“Strangely, the clubhouse at Barnbougle Dunes does not overlook the golf course. However, the club house at Lost Farm more than compensates. The views out the windows are unbelievable, but don’t miss the outside balcony area tucked away on the northern end. Sit back, have a beer, and reminisce about the highlights of your game.”
–Shannon, Down Under Endeavours