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.
