Get Away - Australia’s Top 10 Holiday Golf Spots

With the warmer weather upon us, and golfers Australia wide preparing for their summer break, we decided to look at the 10 best holiday regions in this country for golf. These are the popular tourism hotspots that are offer both quality courses as well as associated tourist attractions for the family or non-golf partner.

While Australians are traveling overseas in ever-increasing numbers, those looking for that perfect summer golf holiday would do well to focus their attentions on these regions and consider staying closer to home.

 

1 – The Mornington Peninsula (VIC)

Aside from the Melbourne Sandbelt, there are more Top 50 courses on the Mornington Peninsula than any other region in Australia. The combination of rolling sandy ground, stunning coastal views and an accommodating climate for the game, not to mention a vast population on its doorstep, made this a development hotbed during the 1990s and 2000s.

Golfers can enjoy such diverse offerings as The Dunes, Portsea, St Andrews Beach, Moonah Links (Legends & Open courses), RACV Cape Schanck and, for the well connected, 54 memorable holes at The National Golf Club. There are other good public courses across the Peninsula as well as some of Victoria’s best beaches, a number of gorgeous coastal walks, quaint villages, wineries, gardens, markets and summer festivals for the family. For first-timers to the region the Point Nepean National Park is not to be missed.

Golfing Highlights – The Cups Country terrain of The Dunes, St Andrews Beach, Moonah Links and The National, the Coffin hole at Flinders GC, views from the RACV Cape Schanck Resort and the Old Course at The National.

 

2 – The Gold Coast (QLD)

Queensland’s most iconic holiday destination, the Gold Coast is actually the sixth largest city in Australia, and growing quickly. It may not be the sleepy surf hamlet that it once was, but for visitors there are now ever-increasing attractions to complement the area’s magnificent beaches.

Golfers are well served here, with 8 of Australia’s Top 100 courses on your doorstep and others, like Brookwater, just a short-drive away. A holiday that included The Glades, Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove, Palmer Gold Coast (formerly Robina Woods), Palm Meadows and Lakelands would satisfy most players.

Golfing Highlights – The short holes at Glades, conditioning at Lakelands, manufactured undulations at Hope Island, the difficulty of Sanctuary Cove (Pines) and the 18^th holes at Palm Meadows and Robina Woods (now Palmer Gold Coast).

 

3 – Newcastle/Central Coast/Hunter Valley (NSW)

North of Sydney, the diverse Hunter Valley-Central Coast region has much to recommend for holidaymakers, including some of New South Wales’ leading golf courses. The timeless Newcastle Golf Club remains the area’s centerpiece, along with modern tracks like Ross Watson’s Magenta Shores and the Norman/Harrison Vintage course near Cessnock. Other courses of note include Horizons, Pacific Dunes, Kooindah Waters, Cypress Lakes and lesser-known country clubs like Nelson Bay and Belmont.

Away from the course there are an endless array of holiday attractions, from the beaches and lakes of the Central Coast and Port Stephens to the celebrated wineries of the Hunter Valley.

Golfing Highlights – The front 9 at Newcastle, the green sites at The Vintage and the sea views at Magenta Shores.

 

4 – The Bellarine Peninsula/Great Ocean Road (VIC)

Directly across Port Phillip Bay from the larger Mornington Peninsula, the Bellarine is similarly blessed with great golf and has the added attraction of being the gateway to the wonders of the Great Ocean Road.

The region is perfect for day trips from Melbourne or longer stay/drive holidays that can include a few rounds of golf. For most, the biggest attraction remains the old-school links at Barwon Heads, together with Tony Cashmore’s Thirteenth Beach Golf Links next door. Those taking their time and meandering along the Great Ocean Road are sure to enjoy the likes of Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Anglesea, Torquay Sands and the RACV Torquay Resort, which was recently redesigned by Ogilvy Clayton Golf Design.

Golfing Highlights – The sinister short 13^th at Barwon Heads, the beach holes at Thirteenth Beach and Port Fairy and the kangaroos at Anglesea.

 

5 – Sunshine Coast (QLD)

For many the most appealing destination in Queensland is the Sunshine Coast, with a more relaxed vibe than the Gold Coast but an equally superb mix of quality beaches, rivers and lakes. For beachgoers or outdoor adventurers there is plenty to do and see here. There is also some good golf, particularly at leading resorts like Pelican Waters, Palmer Coolum (formerly Hyatt Regency Coolum), Twin Waters and Noosa Springs.

Those looking to play a variety of golf on their holiday would be advised to also consider unassuming country clubs like Tewantin Noosa, Pacific Harbour, Mt Coolum, Caloundra and Peregian Springs.

Golfing Highlights – Tackling Coolum and trying to best the long-time Australian PGA host venue, avoiding bunkers at Pacific Harbour and Pelican Waters and attacking some of the water-logged holes at Noosa Springs and Twin Waters.

 

6 – Northern Tasmania (TAS)

Before Barnbougle there was no golf tourism into Northern Tasmania, but now it seems that every golfer in Australia has either been through Bridport or dreamed of doing so, and with good reason. These are unquestionably Australia’s best public golf courses, and together Lost Farm and Barnbougle Dunes have turned a remote and isolated stretch of coastline into one of our most enticing destinations.

Those who haven’t returned to Barnbougle since the opening of Lost Farm might be surprised at the comfort levels of the new accommodation compound, not to mention the wonderful new spa and restaurant facilities.

Whether you’re a regular visitor to Barnbougle or have never been before, a holiday coupling great links golf with the attractions of Launceston and the Tamar Valley is pretty hard to beat.

Golfing Highlights – The views, the value and the vibe of both Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm.

 

7 – The Murray River (VIC/NSW)

One of the world’s great river systems, the Murray is also one of Australia’s great holiday destinations. From fishing, camping and a host of water sport activities, there is something for everyone along its 2,500km length.

Golfers too are spoilt for choice here, with courses found in virtually every town along the river. Most are situated on the north side, in New South Wales, and were built during Victoria’s Poker machine-free years (pre 1990s) to attract social groups and golfing nomads. While poker machines are less of a lure than they once were, clubs like Yarrawonga & Border, Cobram-Barooga, Tocumwal, Murray Downs, Corowa, Rich River and the new Black Bull are still attractive to those looking for great value, great weather and well-conditioned fairways and greens.

Golfing Highlights – The Murray Course at Yarrawonga, the Old Course at Cobram, Murray Downs and the 9-hole Black Bull layout.

 

8 – Tropical North Queensland & The Whitsundays (QLD)

Though hardly an ideal summer spot, Tropical North Queensland and The Whitsundays are among the worlds leading tourist destinations. From the pristine beaches of the Whitsunday islands to the World Heritage-listed majesty of the Great Barrier Reef, this tropical paradise manages to drag millions of visitors to the region each year.

Golfers are also heading north in increasing numbers, thanks to established courses like Paradise Palms near Cairns and Palmer Sea Reef (formerly Sea Temple) near Port Douglas. The star attraction, however, is the new Hamilton Island Golf Club, built on its own tropical island and blessed with stupendous views of the Coral Sea.

Golfing Highlights – The strength of Paradise Palms and the experience of Hamilton Island.

 

9 – Mandurah & The Peel Region (WA) 

An hour south of Perth, Mandurah and the Peel Region is known to some as the Golf Coast and became a popular golfing precinct with the opening of a number of quality courses in the 1990s and 2000s. Including Kennedy Bay and Secret Harbour immediately to the north, there are 4 Top 100 courses in this compact quarter of Western Australia. The Cut at Port Bouvard takes the most spectacular picture, and has as many coastal holes as any course in the state. Secret Harbour is similarly built on sand dunes and weaves through an integrated housing estate. Like Meadow Springs it’s a good course that visitors, in particular, are bound to enjoy. Without question the purist golf experience here is Kennedy Bay, as authentic a links experience as you’ll find in the West and completely at the mercy of the region’s shifting winds.

Golfing Highlights – The humps and bumps of Kennedy Bay and the oceanside views at The Cut.

 

T10 – New South Wales North Coast (NSW)

The North Coast of New South Wales covers a vast region from Forster-Taree right up to Tweed Heads beneath the Queensland border. The holiday options here are endless, from boating, camping, hiking and surfing through to more leisurely pursuits like fishing and golf. While there aren’t any genuine world-beaters in the area, holidaying golfers looking to sneak in a game or two are sure to have fun at places like Tuncurry, Tallwoods, Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Ballina and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.

For a straight golf-only vacation you can’t go past Bonville near Coffs Harbour, which is one of Australia’s prettiest and most popular golf resorts. Golf amongst the flooded gums here is complemented by dining at the resort’s award-winning restaurant.

Golfing Highlights – The fun and quirk of Great Lakes Tuncurry and the tranquility of Bonville International.

 

T10 – Fleurieu Peninsula (SA)

Less than an hour south of Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is a genuine all-rounder and notable for its delicious regional cuisine, its wineries, beaches, national parks and the wide array of recreational activities available for visitors. There are some excellent bird and whale watching spots here, along with secluded places to fish, surf, sail or swim. There is also Kangaroo Island, a short ferry ride from Cape Jarvis at the tip of the Peninsula.

For golfers the chief attractions are the Links Lady Bay Resort near Normanville and the under-rated Fleurieu course at Mt Compass. Lady Bay, in particular, is worth a visit and a charming place to spend the day/night. Wirrina Cove, McCracken and Victor Harbour golf courses also have their fans.

Golfing Highlights – The opening drive at Victor Harbour, the views and undulations at Lady Bay and the subtle charm of Fleurieu.

 

Darius Oliver, Architecture Editor

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