Golfers looking to hit the fairways during a trip to Australia are spoilt for choice with plenty of great courses to go with the glorious climate and beautiful landscapes. Here’s a quick tour.
The most popular tourist destination is the wonderful city of Sydney, home to golf courses which provide a true taste of Australian golf – and which don’t require membership, invites or exorbitant green fees. The upmarket Eastern Suburbs boast some of Australia’s best golf courses, like The Lakes and Royal Sydney Golf Club, but Moore Park is way more accessible for casual visitors and a great place to experience the parkland style of golf this part of Sydney is known for.
In the suburb of Collaroy, Long Reef provides some of Sydney’s best beachside golf. British and Australian Open Champion Peter Thompson described it as having the best location for a golf course in Sydney. If you want views of Sydney Harbour, Northbridge Golf Club features 18 challenging holes at one of the best, and most affordable, public golf courses in Sydney.
Up towards the Northern Beaches, Mona Vale Golf Club has played host to the New South Wales Amateur Championship, but it’s much more approachable in terms of green fees and easier to get a round than at some of the city’s more exclusive clubs.
For a more casual round, Sydney has plenty of great shorter courses. But two in particular stand out. Woollahra Golf Club, neighbouring the exclusive Royal Sydney Golf Course, is highly affordable, tree-lined and a great combination of par 3s and 4s. Close by, Bondi Golf & Diggers Club is a fun 9-hole clifftop course overlooking the world famous Bondi Beach.
North of Sydney up towards the Gold Coast, the 4-star Bonville Golf Resort is often compared to Augusta National for its magnificent trees and flora, as well as its rolling terrain. The resort’s accommodation is set in lush gardens alongside the first fairway. It’s one of Australia’s most beautiful courses.
Further north, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the 5-star Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is close to the region’s cluster of action-packed theme parks. The resort is home to The Palms, The Pines and Links Hope Island golf courses. Pines is Australia’s only Arnold Palmer signature course.
In Western Australia, Joondalup Resort is just half an hour from Perth and five minutes from WA’s Sunset Coast with its abundance of incredible beaches, An oasis of relaxation, its 27-hole championship golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Few golf courses anywhere in Australia offer its dramatic contrasts and scenic beauty.
In Victoria, Victoria Peppers Moonah Links Resort is less than two hours from Melbourne in the region of Mornington Peninsula, a seaside holiday destination and wine growing region. Accommodation here is wonderful and there’s two excellent 18-hole courses.
In South Australia, Lady Bay Hotel Resort is situated on magnificent Lady Bay next to the seaside town of Normanville, around 60km south of Adelaide and just 30 minutes from the McLaren Vale wine region. There’s lovely rooms with views over the 18-hole championship golf course which is reminiscent of St Andrews. It’s widely regarded as one of South Australia’s finest layouts.
Down in Tasmania, Barnbougle Golf Links is home to three brilliant golf courses, and you can stay in cottages or villas. Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links is the closest you’ll find to a traditional seaside links in Australia, designed by Tom Doak, Barnbougle Lost Farm is a wonderful Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw creation, while Bougle Run is a 14-hole short course. Together, all three courses have put Tasmania on the world golfing map.
Just a small taste of what’s on offer for golfers looking for a break from the city or the beach on a trip to Australia.
