When it comes to diversity of landscape, activities and experiences, it’s tough to beat Australia as a holiday destination. With its welcoming, outdoor culture and year-round sunny climes (there’s sunshine to be found in one state or another, year-round!), it’s not surprising Australia has been on the top of many travellers ’ bucket-lists for the past 30 years.
Perhaps not so widely known, is the fact that Australian golf holidays are a thing, infact they are becoming a big thing! With world-class golf courses a plenty and top-end gastronomic dining experiences in just about every state, Australia’s iconic tourism experiences are being woven into itineraries, to create the golf holiday of a lifetime. Popular with groups of American, European and Canadian golfers, escaping the harsh northern hemisphere winter, the Australian holiday golf season for international visitors runs from October until April.
So, how’s the golf in Australia anyway?
Any great golf holiday experience requires the inclusion of top-notch golf courses. In a vast country like Australia, these golf experiences are somewhat scattered, so unless you’re fortunate enough to have unlimited time to hand, you will need to carefully choose the most appealing courses and destinations to create the perfect two or three-week golf holiday itinerary.
Australia’s most globally recognised golfing region is Victoria’s Sandbelt, which boasts a number of highly-ranked championship courses, including, Royal Melbourne (East and West), Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria, Commonwealth, Huntingdale, Yarra Yarra and Peninsula (North and South). Also high on any international golfers’ bucket-list, are the challenging and scenic links courses of Barnbougle Dunes and The Lost Farm in Tasmania. These world-renowned courses are unique in experience, yet strangely reminiscent of famous links courses in Scotland and Ireland. Perhaps less well known, is that Australia is also home to a number of hidden gems, such as Hamilton Island Golf Club in Queensland and the Four Reds golf courses (Royal Adelaide Golf Club, Grange Golf Club, Kooyonga Golf Club & Glenelg Golf Club), in Adelaide, South Australia.
To make life easier, Golf Explorer has put together a selection of Australian Golf Holiday tours that combine the most iconic tourism experiences with the best golf courses in Australia. Let us guide you as to how much golf, how much sightseeing and how much travelling, can be squeezed into a typical Australian Golf Holiday break. Bear in mind that any of the experiences below can be combined to create a longer itinerary.
The Great Barrier Reef & Hamilton Island Golf Club in Queensland
If you are looking for sun, sea and a Great Barrier Reef experience during your Australia golf holiday, then a 4 night stay on Hamilton Island is an absolute must. Hamilton Island Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course, located on its very own private island, with stunning 180-degree ocean views from every hole. Designed by five times British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is recognised as one of the most challenging in Australia, although the spectacular views of the Whitsunday Islands and Coral Sea more than make up for any stressful golfing moments! Getting on to the island is a highlight in itself, with a James Bond-esque, 20-minute speedboat transfer the only option.
All levels of accommodation are catered for on Hamilton Island. For a truly luxurious stay, look no further than the fabulous, adults-only Qualia Resort. Soak up the natural beauty of the island at this earthy, tropical hideaway. Alternatively, stay at the 5-star Beach Club with relaxed, contemporary beach house style and magnificent beach views. Also popular with our guests is the Reef View Hotel, with large, comfortable, modern rooms, the Reef View Hotel offers a perfect getaway for couples, families or groups of friends.
For a Barrier Reef experience, diving and snokelling daytrips can easily be arranged from Hamilton Island. After all, it’s a shame to come to Australia and not experience the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Sydney and Melbourne city experiences and NSW Golf Club and Royal Melbourne Golf Club
For most first-time visitors to Australia, a stay in the iconic cities of Melbourne and Sydney are an absolute must. Who doesn’t want to take in the sites of Sydney’s famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge and Melbourne’s atmospheric and gastronomic
laneways. The good news for golfers, is that Sydney and Melbourne’s best golf courses are located close enough to both cities to allow for city accommodation and daily transfers to chosen golf courses. At Golf Explorer, we recommend a minimum 4 night stay in both Sydney and Melbourne.
In Sydney, play a round at the fabulous New South Wales Golf Club and the prestigious Lakes Golf Club. The New South Wales Golf Course was designed by the legendary Alister Mackenzie and is the jewel in the crown of Australia’s golf offering. The Lakes Golf Club has long been a major tournament venue having hosted many events, including the Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship.
In Melbourne, play golf at two world-class championship Sandbelt courses, namely Royal Melbourne Golf Club and Kingston Health Golf Club. Both courses are of world-class standing and have featured in the top 20 Golf Courses in the world.
Let Golf Explorer recommend the best 4 and 5-star hotels in Melbourne and Sydney to suit your needs and make your holiday as memorable as possible.
Adelaide City Golf and Wine Packages with Four Reds Packages
When planning an Australian Golf Holiday, a visit to the city of Adelaide and its golf courses may not necessarily be top of your list. Let us share a secret with you, Adelaide and its golf courses are a hidden gem that are just waiting to be discovered! For many years now, the four premier golf courses in Adelaide (Royal Adelaide Golf Club, Grange Golf Club, Kooyonga Golf Club and Glenelg Golf Club), have come together to offer a unique golf and wine experience, called the Four Reds. Play all four courses and afterwards, enjoy a specially paired bottle of premium South Australian wine and a gourmet tasting platter in each Clubhouse. This simple, but very social golfing experience has been hugely popular with Australian and international golfers alike.
Our best-selling Four Reds package, is the 6-night Four Reds Vintage Experience. This includes four rounds of golf, a food and wine experience in the clubhouse after each round, 5-star accommodation in the CBD, daily breakfasts, private transfers, as well as a full day private wine tour to the Barossa Valley.
What appeals most to many of our clients, is that all of the golf courses included in the Four Reds package are just a short 15 to 20-minute transfer from the city centre. The Four Reds has truly put Adelaide on the map as an Australian golfing destination.
The Wilderness of Tasmania and Barnbougle Golf Resort
Tasmania is best known for its rugged wilderness, outstanding beauty and picture- perfect white sand beaches. Little wonder it is also home to some of the most spectacular links golf courses in the world. Situated on the rugged and windswept northern coast of Tasmania, Barnbougle Dunes Golf Resort boasts links land golf that is usually only found in Ireland or Scotland. Since opening its doors to golfers in 2004, Barnbougle Dunes Golf Resort has become a world-renowned golfing destination. It now includes two 18-hole championship courses, namely, Barnbougle Dunes and The Lost Farm, as well as the recent addition of Bougle Run Golf Course. This spectacular 14-hole short course is set among the undulating sand dunes of the resort and takes in some of the highest points of the property.
The enchanting wilderness and pristine coastlines of Tasmania are guaranteed to make you feel as though you are getting away from it all. A three night stay in the group-friendly Barnbougle Cottages will truly round off any Australian golf holiday package.
The depth and breadth of golf in Australia, together with the world-class, iconic tourism experiences make an Australian golf holiday so very appealing. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and give us an opportunity to make your Australian golf holiday a truly unforgettable one.
