Exploring the Top Golf Courses in Australia & New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand offer some of the most scenic and exclusive golf courses in the world. Courses like Royal Melbourne, Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, and Barnbougle frequently earn spots on global Top 100 lists. With cliffside fairways, ocean backdrops, and rolling countryside, these destinations combine sport and scenery in a way few others can.

Golfers seeking a luxury experience are drawn here for more than just great design. These courses offer a sense of place—one where world-class play is matched by natural beauty, privacy, and high-end accommodations. It’s this rare combination that sets the region apart from more traditional golf hubs in the U.S. or Europe.

Below is our list of the best golf courses in Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand:

• Tara Iti Golf Club: Often ranked among the top 10 courses globally, Tara Iti is an ultra-exclusive private club located north of Auckland. With its fescue fairways, ocean views, and minimalist design, it’s a must-play for serious golfers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime round. Access, however, is reserved for those with a personal connection. Play is permitted only when accompanied by a member, making a round here both a rare privilege and a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Putting on the greens at Formosa Country Club - Tourism New Zealand - Golf Travel in New Zealand and Australia
Formosa Country Club is known for its fabulous greens and great seaside views. Image: Tourism New Zealand

• Te Arai Links: Just down the coast from Tara Iti, Te Arai offers two world-class courses: the North and South. Designed by Coore & Crenshaw and Tom Doak respectively, they provide scenic coastal views and an unforgettable links experience, all with luxury accommodations onsite.

• Kauri Cliffs: Located in the Bay of Islands, this iconic course combines sweeping ocean panoramas with challenging play. Kauri Cliffs is consistently ranked in the top 100 golf courses worldwide and features onsite luxury lodges for a seamless golf vacation.

• Kinloch Club: This inland Jack Nicklaus-designed course near Lake Taupo features dramatic terrain and a strategic layout. Rated as one of the top parkland courses in New Zealand, it offers a different but equally rewarding experience.

• Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club: Known as the spiritual home of New Zealand golf, Paraparaumu is the country’s premier links course and has hosted numerous New Zealand Opens. It ranks as one of the best golf courses in New Zealand for offering a pure golf experience with coastal winds and sandy terrain.

• Cape Kidnappers: Designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak, the Cape Kidnappers par 71 golf course measures 7,119 yards and will challenge every golfer, no matter your skill level. Located on 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pastureland in Hawke’s Bay, the Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers you 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and luxury accommodation. One visit, and you’ll quickly understand why it’s one of the top golf courses in New Zealand.

Down Under Endeavours has exclusive relationships that allow us to secure coveted tee times at some of New Zealand’s most elite and difficult-to-book golf courses. We give you access where others can’t.

Golf Course at Cape Kidnappers - Cape Kidnappers - Golf travel in New Zealand and Australia
The breathtaking setting of Cape Kidnappers. Image: Cape Kidnappers


Australia:

• Barnbougle Dunes: Barnbougle’s original course is like no other Links golf course in Australia. Meandering along Tasmania’s North East Coast, Barnbougle Dunes is where thrilling golf and gorgeous scenery meet. Acclaimed US designer Tom Doak and Australian Mike Clayton designed this course with influence from the traditional links courses of Scotland and Ireland. Here, it is a game of strategy; each shot must be tactically thought through, with a little creative pizzazz.

18th hole at Barnbougle Dunes - Barnbougle Dunes - Golf Travel in New Zealand and Australia
The famous 18th hole of Barnbougle Dunes. Image: Barnbougle Dunes

• Barnbougle Lost Farms: Sitting adjacent to The Dunes, this 20-hole Links golf course is located on Tasmania’s North-East coast. Barnbougle Lost Farms was designed and built by the world-renowned US golf course design company Coore & Crensha and has captured the attention of international golfers of all skill levels. With a minimalistic course design, the philosophy that traditional, strategic golf yields the most rewards is emphasized.

• Cape Wickham: Located on King Island, Tasmania, Cape Wickham is one of the most visually dramatic courses in the Southern Hemisphere. With holes hugging the shoreline and cliffs, this course blends rugged scenery with masterful layout.

• Victoria Golf Club: Another Sandbelt gem, Victoria offers championship-caliber golf and has hosted the Australian Open. It’s revered for its fast greens, bunkering, and elegant setting.

• Royal Melbourne Golf Club: Royal Melbourne has two courses, the East Course and the West Course. Each is ranked amongst the best in the world. The Royal Melbourne has hosted many national and international events and is the only golf club outside of the US to have been selected by the PGA Tour to host the Presidents Cup more than once. As a highly exclusive club, play is generally reserved for members, with tee times for non-members both limited and difficult to secure.

• Kingston Heath: It is one of the top golf courses in Australia and internationally ranked at 20 in the world, Kingston Heath is an 18-hole course, built on only 125 hectares. Manicured immaculately, its bunkering and use of dips and hollows will fool you if you’re not on your game! Deviate from the fairway and find yourself amongst the rough in long grass and sandy scrapes, testing your patience and your ability to get back into play.

Clubhouse at Kingston Country Club - Kingston Country Club - Golf Travel in New Zealand and Australia
The clubhouse at Kingston Heath. Image: Kingston Heath Golf Club

• 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. After a memorable day on the course, find yourself in the luxury of the clubhouse, where you can celebrate the day’s game and relax in style.

• The Cliffs, Kangaroo Island (coming January 2026): Australia’s newest world-class golf destination is currently under development on Kangaroo Island, scheduled to open in early 2026. The Cliffs promises dramatic coastal scenery, rugged terrain, and a remote, untamed feel that rivals Tasmania’s best. Designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s natural beauty, this course is poised to become one of the most exciting additions to Australia’s elite golf circuit.

Features and Amenities of Premier Golf Courses

The best golf courses in Australia and New Zealand offer much more than the game. Expect signature holes with ocean or mountain views, exceptional service, and stunning clubhouses. Many locations include spa facilities, gourmet dining, and partnerships with luxury golf resorts or vineyard estates. At courses like Cape Kidnappers or Barnbougle Lost Farm, eco-conscious design meets five-star living, offering a truly immersive golf getaway.

Booking Your Luxury Golf Vacation

The best months to travel for golf are spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when temperatures are mild and the scenery is at its peak. Booking tee times at prestigious clubs can require advance planning. Working with a specialist ensures access to otherwise limited reservations and experiences.

Down Under Endeavours creates custom itineraries that go far beyond the course. Pair your round with a dive on the Great Barrier Reef, a wine tour in Hawke’s Bay, or a stay in a private coastal lodge. Start here with by viewing our Australia Golf Vacations contact us to plan your vacation today.

Golfing Events and Tournaments in Australia/New Zealand

Both countries host respected tournaments each year. The Presidents Cup has been held multiple times at Royal Melbourne, while the Australian Open and New Zealand Open continue to attract top talent. These events offer opportunities to watch elite players or attend with VIP packages that include behind-the-scenes access. Down Under Endeavours can also incorporate tournament attendance into a longer, customized itinerary.

Why Choose Down Under Endeavours for Your Golf Vacation

At Down Under Endeavours, we don’t just sell golf trips. We live them. As avid golfers with over 25 years of experience crafting luxury vacations, our team has played many of the top-ranked courses we recommend. This firsthand knowledge allows us to build custom itineraries with insider insight and exclusive access.

We take care of every detail: tee times at world-class clubs, luxury accommodations, private transfers, and unforgettable experiences beyond the fairway. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or a group of friends, we personalize your journey to match your skill level, interests, and travel style.

From vineyard tee-offs at Kauri Cliffs to helicopter arrivals at Cape Wickham, our curated golf vacations in Australia and New Zealand offer the kind of experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Ready to begin planning your own golf outing to New Zealand or Australia? Browse our custom Australia and New Zealand vacation packages or give us a call at 888-367-0933. We would love to help you start planning your adventure of a lifetime!