Need a place to play and stay with the girls? Our editors have done the hard work for you. There’s something for everyone in this ultimate golf getaway hit list
Pack your bags, ladies – the courses are calling. No matter what your pace of play is, there’s good reason for a getaway this summer. Long days need to be filled, why not soak up the sun seaside or treeside and bask in the fresh air alongside your besties? A curated list of courses has been hand-picked to cater for all types of golfers. From the wine-and-dine enthusiasts to nature lovers, self-care queens and the hardcore hitters, there’s sure to be a course worth the trip. Luxuries can be few and far between in everyday life, so this is your sign to set the out-of-office reply, put your phone on ‘Do not disturb’ and play your way through a little golf ‘vacay’. Which will you choose? – Gracie Richter
New South Wales
Cypress Lakes
Wine country resort golf at its finest is how one would describe The Oaks Cypress Lakes [above]. Its delightful layout offers sweeping views of vineyards and the Brokenback Range and is generally a very fun layout with challenge and forgiveness in all the right doses. Cypress Lakes is also a wonderful resort with indulgence like you’ve never seen. It’s a 120-hectare golf resort boosted by two restaurants, two bars, three pools and two tennis courts plus an on-site spa.
Duntryleague
A golden oldie, Duntryleague is just minutes out the charming town of Orange and playing here is a step back in time. The grounds are dripping in history with a heritage-listed, 14-bedroom mansion built in 1876. And yes, you can stay there! It’s a fitting location for a regal course that’s not only beautiful but challenging with accuracy required off the tee, undulating couch fairways, and holes lined by more than 100 differing tree species. Before or after your round, visitors are invited onto the deck overlooking the picturesque course to enjoy award-winning dining. Then you can wake up and do it all again.
Kiama
The beautiful town of Kiama, 90 minutes’ drive south of Sydney, is proud of its golf course and rightly so. The layout is a treelined property on the banks of the Minnamurra River that has delighted NSW South Coast golfers since 1930. Kiama is a great all-weather course in the Illawarra and its clubhouse is special. In fact, the entire Kiama and Gerringong area is a wonderful place for a golf trip with plenty to do, see, eat, drink and play.
Magenta Shores
The Central Coast is now a must-do for golfers seeking a challenge and Magenta Shores offers an experience unlike any other in the region. Each hole boasts views of a landscape of either the Pacific Ocean, Tuggerah Lake or Wyrrabalong National Park. While the isthmus course’s difficulty has been tempered in recent years, it still requires players to calculate their risk for reward on each shot. Magenta Shores can be a refuge for gofers when many Central Coast and Sydney courses are closed due to adverse weather conditions, thanks to its design and sand base.
Mollymook
One of Australia’s most tranquil golf courses, Mollymook’s Hilltop layout is often compared to Augusta National – the home of the Masters in the US each April. While that may seem like hyperbole, the comparisons to Augusta National are more about the feelings and visuals golfers are exposed to across the Hilltop course: sweeping doglegs framed by towering trees, dramatic downhill tee shots where the sound of a well-struck drive echoes through the property, impeccable conditioning and, of course, beautiful flowers best seen in spring bloom.
Narooma
With each round, Narooma Golf Club asks golfers a cracking question: what is the best collection of holes? The first six, which zigzag along cliffs that tower over the Tasman Sea? They feature the signature “Hogan’s Hole” (the par-3 third) and a continuous platform from which golfers enjoy incredible views of Montague Island. Or is it holes eight to 16, where the course takes an enchanting turn into a forest setting? It could be argued they are of a higher quality. Or is the dramatic dogleg towards the ocean at the 18th? It’s a good headache to have for one of the country’s most famous, and treasured, golf courses.
Pacific Dunes
Designed to reward the brave and take no prisoners for errors, Pacific Dunes is two faces of a coin when it comes to the front and back nine. Precision is needed off the tee, with the first half hugged by tall gums and narrow fairways. The back nine opens to reveal water hazards defending the approach to the flag. The course is a drawcard for Port Stephens, where all skill levels can enjoy a round that leaves players coming back for more.
Rich River
Take in the fresh air, unwind and explore what the two championship 18-hole courses have to offer. Rich River is once again hosting its annual Women’s Indulgence Golf Tournament from May 27-30, 2025. This tournament offers golfers a fun and social tournament as well as a bit of friendly competition. It’s a perfect excuse to treat yourself to a fabulous getaway in the beautiful surroundings of Rich River, home of the 2023 NSW Open. There’s little planning required, with the golf club offering an exclusive package that includes accommodation, golf and meals for the tournament.
The Springs
Located between Sydney and Newcastle at Peats Ridge on the Central Coast, The Springs blends 18 holes from two course architects. The first 11 holes were designed by Al Howard and the last seven by Graham Papworth, giving it a unique history. Straight up, the first hole offers a challenge off the tee. Lay up or hit big are your options, but a wrong move will find players either in the bush or in water that lies along the left side.
The Vintage
One of the more romantic experiences within Australian golf can be found at The Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley. A glass of red within the clubhouse after playing the delightful layout, crafted by Greg Norman and Bob Harrison in 2003, is excellent. But it’s even more special when shared with a significant other. The Vintage has been the Hunter Valley’s undisputed No.1 course for more than 20 years. It blends Norman’s trademark bold bunkering with mild undulations and penal hazards while demanding precise shot-making.
Rest and relax
When in New South Wales, we’ve found the best stays to check out for your escape
Merimbula: Albacore Apartments
For almost a decade, Albacore Apartments have been owned and operated by ladies with an obsession for cleanliness and comfort. The apartments are so popular with golfers that they have been frequented by regular large groups for 20-plus consecutive years. Why all the love? Albacore boasts incredible views across Merimbula Lake and has wonderfully spacious rooms. Albacore is located right on the edge of the lake and town, meaning guests can walk to all the restaurants, cafés and beaches. It’s also only 200 metres from the beginning of the fantastic Merimbula Boardwalk.
albacore.com.au
Mollymook: Motel Molly
Nestled in the charming beachside town of Mollymook, Motel Molly is just a short drive from two stunning local golf courses – Mollymook Golf Club’s Beachside and Hilltop layouts. This boutique 16-room accommodation features Moroccan-inspired rooms and a range of amenities for laidback luxury. Curated with handmade ceramics, mosaic tiling, sunken bathtubs and pastel-painted walls, Motel Molly is the perfect base for a ladies trip.
motelmolly.com.au
Mulwala: Mulwala Resort
Nestled in the picturesque border town of the same name, Mulwala Resort has undergone a slick transformation to a retro ‘Palm Springs’-style that matches the chilled vibe of Mulwala with the sophistication of a boutique resort. Mulwala Resort is just minutes away from Black Bull Golf Club and Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club. The rooms are complemented by private outdoor areas and the resort amenities include a year-round heated saltwater pool, with private cabanas providing an ideal spot for relaxing and socialising, as does the indoor/outdoor entertainment room and gathering space.
mulwalaresort.com.au
Port Stephens: Bannisters
Nestled in the breathtaking Port Stephens region, Bannisters offers the perfect getaway for anyone seeking relaxation and indulgence. Imagine unwinding in a stunning boutique hotel surrounded by pristine beaches and lush landscapes, where every detail is designed for your comfort. At Bannisters, you can enjoy beautifully appointed rooms with modern amenities and captivating ocean views.
bannisters.com.au
Victoria
Curlewis
Players who enjoy the challenge of planning each shot will enjoy the course at Curlewis. The 18 holes aren’t demanding on length but require consideration around the course. It offers naturally undulating fairways, a sand base with a minimum of trees. Located an hour from Melbourne and 15 minutes from Geelong, major course and clubhouse improvements by renowned local winery and cidery business operators, Lyndsay and David Sharp, since they purchased in 2015 have seen Curlewis become a favourite among travellers. Its new direction has been praised for innovation and forward thinking, which has stemmed from years of continued growth. A state-of-the-art driving range with all the amenities is a treat for the regional course, with nothing spared at the signature restaurant Claribeaux and its French influence.
Devilbend
The Mornington Peninsula is always a worthy destination of a golf getaway, and along the way Devilbend is a must-do. The 18 holes have undergone major renovations with the course boasting undulating terrain and waterways. The challenging holes are set among a backdrop of serene flora and fauna with couch-grass fairways and excellent greens. All levels of golf prowess are challenged and rewarded, with the friendly and public course an asset to the golf haven on the peninsula.
Eastern
The Yarra Valley needs no introduction when it comes to its food and wine mastery. Another spectacle of true mastery you can find in the region is the 27-hole, Greg Norman-designed Eastern course, which includes a thoroughly enjoyable nine-hole, par-3 course named “Shark Waters”. The Norman style is true to form, with angular fairways leading to spacious greens that demand a considered and varied approach throughout. Staying on-site at Yering Gorge Cottages allows visitors to play at the private club. The 13 luxe cottages overlook the course and can accommodate couples and groups in the five-bedder. While staying at the cottages, you can roam the grounds, admire the wildlife alongside the Yarra River.
Moonah Links
The Legends and Open courses at Moonah Links are laid out across some of the best land for golf in Australia and, being on the Mornington Peninsula, are located in one of Australian golf’s most charming destinations. Whether you want to test yourself on the Open course, which was purpose-built for the Australian Open in the early 2000s, or the more forgiving Legends course, you’ll surely have fun playing among the rolling terrain, rugged bunkering and ancient Moonah trees.
Woodlands
Depending on whom you ask, Woodlands Golf Club is a sandbelt course, or adjacent to it. Nonetheless the revered Melbourne club is a delight for those that can secure a tee-time. The 18 holes have recently undergone minor improvements, fortifying the timeless design with a refresh of the vegetation and creating more breathing room. Playing the course now, indigenous flora and fauna are celebrated. The intricacies of the layout are enviable with the emphasis on placement and approach angles a recurring theme. The undisturbed land has a renewed modern elegance and comfort.
Queensland
Brookwater
Thirty minutes’ drive outside Brisbane there’s a surprising find – a Greg Norman-co-designed course that is challenging in a way unlike its metropolitan counterparts. Brookwater is regarded as one of Queensland’s best courses and is set in native bushland with the varying elevation and rugged bunkers framing the fairways giving a sense of privacy on every hole. It demands precision in length and a plan of navigation throughout as you plot your way through the valleys. The clubhouse offers exceptional dining and panoramic views of the surrounds. Worth the deviation from the city, it’s as captivating as it is challenging and is the course Ash Barty has taken up residence on – right behind the first green.
Mt Isa
For golfers looking for a getaway that’s far, far away, Mt Isa Golf Club is an offering in regional Queensland like no other. The 18-hole course is the only one with grass greens in north-western Queensland and is a must-play for golfers who enjoy going off the beaten track. It’s just six kilometres from the heart of town that’s famous for being the birthplace of Greg Norman. The barren landscape can only be described as a rugged beauty that is far lusher than comes to mind considering the harsh climate. Mt Isa offers a challenge and a unique experience for golfers seeking an outback adventure.
Maleny
With the picturesque Glasshouse Mountains as a backdrop, playing at Maleny is a walk through a hillside hinterland. The rolling hills on what was formerly a dairy farm started from humble beginnings with only nine holes, yet since 2020 it’s been a full 18 and offers a serene but stout challenge. Unusual hazards such as an ominous rock face beside the first green, bunkers that can appear unforgiving and patches of long grass do pose as ball-swallowing hurdles. Staying in Maleny is cosy and tranquil with plenty of accommodation rich in character and welcoming charm.
Royal Pines
There’s no shortage of excellent courses on the Gold Coast. RACV Royal Pines has long been a destination to host all travellers, including golfers, non-golfers and their families. The five-star resort has all the amenities from tranquility to kids’ entertainment and visitors need to look no further for activity. Stay and play across the three nine-hole, par-72 combination layouts that include the course that’s hosted past Australian PGA Championships. The Gold and Green nines underwent significant improvements authored by renowned golf course architect, Graham Marsh, and add up to be a tough series of holes with deep bunkers and lakes. Meanwhile, the Blue nine on the western side proves that shorter isn’t easier, as the nine-hole challenge is about playing smarter.
Western Australia
Albany
A trek 400 kilometres south of Perth finds you on the doorstep of Albany Golf Club, WA’s oldest golf club and established in 1898. Well worth the trip off the beaten track, the course is accentuated by its coastal surrounds and steeped history as the departure location of the Anzacs in 1914 from the foreshore of King George Sound. With a links feel, Albany is a place that also offers brilliant beaches, stunning flora and fauna and an array of delights for ‘foodies’.
Kalgoorlie
Kalgoorlie is a destination that’s a celebration of West Australian golf. Designed by locally born Graham Marsh, the championship layout has hosted the WA PGA Championship since 2012. The former tip site has been re-imagined into a world-class recreation facility. The 18 holes make for a premier desert course, with every hole a sight to behold against the rocky terrain, dry gullies and
ochre pigment of the unrelenting central WA conditions.
The Vines Resort
These days offering 27 holes, The Vines Resort has long been a staple for golf in Perth. Budget-friendly green fees allow visitors to play in style on the Championship course that’s hosted golf’s greats and has been revamped to allure golfers to the attractive layout (and adjoining nine-hole Lakes course). The surrounding Swan Valley is a mecca of wineries, a veritable food bowl of cheese, olives and restaurants. Staying at the resort is relaxing thanks to the offerings from the Novotel blending a country-club feel with the hotel.
Fun in the sun
Travelling to the Sunshine State is an absolute delight, the summers are warm, days are long and there’s no shortage of great courses to play – but organising and knowing where to play can become a headache. For groups or just a seamless, hassle-free golf holiday, tours are an efficient way to get the most of your time both before and during your trip. The experts at Golf Oz organise everything from accommodation, transfers, courses and anything else visitors want to do. Expert golf knowledge from directors Emma and Glenn Beauclerc won’t lead you astray with their combined five decades of experience (golfoz.com.au).
South Australia
Blackwood
Adding to the diversity and flavour of South Australia is Blackwood, a friendly club that welcomes all. The semi-rural setting is among the most picturesque in the Adelaide Hills, framed by foliage of towering gums or pine trees with ridges and spurs defining the fairways. Blackwood was the first golf club in SA to admit women as full members and continues to draw players to fall in love with golf over and over again.
Kooyonga
The path travelled to each green at Kooyonga changes with each hole from open expanse to corridors that nestle into pockets. The course’s gentle undulating sand hills along are a favourite pick for visiting golfers, located just 15 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD. It’s a top pick for Australian golf spectacles, having hosted five Australian Opens, nine South Australian Opens, eight Australian Amateur Championships and, of course, the Women’s Australian Open. It’s easy to feel like a superstar on the Kooyonga course.
Links Lady Bay
Past the southern end of Adelaide’s coastline, Links Lady Bay is an escape to the countryside with the course cherishing unspoiled rolling hillsides. Designed by Jack Newton, Graeme Grant and John Spencer, the fairways lead to subtly sloping bentgrass greens in a true St Andrews-style, sand-based course. It’s one to write home about with postcard visages and thoughtful design features. Players find themselves seaside for most holes before turning inland for a delightful point of difference on the back nine. The charm of the resort with a village atmosphere lies within 30 minutes of the revered McLaren Vale wine region.
Find the perfect accommodation for your ladies golf getaway
Do you find that you often struggle to find the right accommodation for your golf getaway? Or find it hard to source a home vs a hotel, where your group can stay together or where you’ve got your own private pool? Alloggio is your central marketplace for finding professionally managed short-term stay holiday homes across some of Australia’s key golf destinations. The short-term rental property collection includes luxury houses, beachside apartments, golf course villas and more. All homes are fully equipped individual properties, professionally managed by Alloggio’s teams on the ground in each region. Find holiday rentals are in some of Australia and New Zealand’s best golf destinations, including Port Stephens, Hunter Valley, Coffs Coast, Byron Bay, Shoalhaven, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast/Noosa, the Mornington Peninsula and Great Ocean Road, as well as Queenstown and Taranaki in New Zealand. Head to alloggio.com.au to find the perfect holiday house for your next golf getaway.
Tasmania
Barnbougle
Three courses that should be treasured by all visiting golfers are found at Barnbougle. The Dunes is prized as the original course, rolling in and out of sand dunes across a strip of land along the coast. It’s the closest golf you’ll play to the United Kingdom, paying homage to links-style golf with a run of holes in opposing directions. There’s good reason why the Dunes course ranks fourth in Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses. It’s complemented by two more challenges. Lost Farm is the somewhat friendlier neighbour of the original course, depending on which way the wind is blowing, and boasts 20 holes that are fractionally more inland and steeper. The newest addition to round out 52 holes in total is Bougle Run, a 14-hole short course made up of 12 par-3 and two par-4 holes through the highest part of the undulating dunes.
Cape Wickham
Taking over top spot on Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses this year, Cape Wickham holds its own as a spectacle in world golf. The opening tee shot will leave golfers breathless as they depart their ball over a chasm to the safety of the fairway beyond. The 18 holes weave along the coast and inland, losing no momentum along with the switch in scenery. Entirely public, the course is worth the effort to reach and is the frontier for Australia’s best golf holes where winds travelling thousands of kilometres reach land. It’s reached international acclaim and has redefined the state of play for golf Down Under.
Ocean Dunes
If we agree that a trip to King Island must be ticked off, head across Bass Strait to find two kilometres of coastal frontage and greens with backdrops that need to be seen to be believed. The holes at Ocean Dunes create a run of truly memorable golf where the rugged landscape challenges golfers to embrace the elements, including sea spray and lashing winds. Fortune favours the brave here, where daring tee shots can leave simple approaches to the green. It’s a memorable experience that’s earned its place among the top 15 courses in Australia while celebrating links golf in Tassie.
A tournament with a difference
The name is mouthful, but a worthy bite for the keenest golfers. WACT4BBB stands for the World Amateur 4-Player Best Ball Champions Tournament. It’s a competition that’s the first of its kind and is only open to teams of Australian amateur golfers. Teams will compete at their home club in registered trials with the top 20 and two golden ticket winners earning an invite on an all-expenses-paid trip to represent their club and state at the Finals Championship. The championship accumulates across four rounds of four-ball at Cape Wickham, Ocean Dunes, Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm. The winners receive a coveted purple jacket and an opportunity to return the next year to defend their title of the best four-player best-ball team in the country (wact4bbb.com).
New Zealand
Jack’s Point
It’s easy to understand why Jack’s Point is the jewel in Queenstown golf’s crown. Breathtaking views have visitors pinching themselves over whether they’re seeing a mirage or the clear, glacial waters of Lake Wakatipu below as the waterfront holes reveal themselves. Framed by the Remarkables, it’s a challenge to focus on flight path when the scenery is so irresistible. Paired with challenging and rugged terrain, it blends Irish links golf seamlessly with postcard aesthetics and a delight to match. You won’t want the round to end.
Millbrook
Stepping onto the village that makes up Millbrook offers a charm of the old world. Warming up in the heated barn stables is incredibly farmhouse chic and is rarely experienced. Players can take a pick between two championship 18-hole courses. Both offer unrivalled views set in the alpine amphitheatre with the mountainous links putting natural assets forward as hazards. A range of accommodation and dining options are available at Millbrook, as well as a day spa, with a location just a short drive to surrounding wineries.
Royal Auckland and Grange
If you’re heading across the ditch the 2015 merger between Royal Auckland Golf Club and Grange saw a new 27-hole masterpiece created by Nicklaus Design, which was completed recently. It’s now an experience unparalleled in New Zealand golf – capped with a new clubhouse by architect Andrew Patterson. On the course, three new nine-hole layouts – Grange, Tamaki and Middlemore – were created. The land on the original Grange course was used for the Grange nine, while the Middlemore nine blends several holes from Royal Auckland’s original layout and has a delightful parkland feel. The Grange nine is close to the river and has narrow playing corridors and boldly contoured greens, as well as excellent short par 4s and strategic par 5s. The Tamaki nine is split between the Middlemore and Grange sites and includes the par-3 sixth over the Tamaki Estuary.
Tieke Golf Estate
A new edition to golf ‘across the ditch’, since 2022 Tieke has grown in popularity to become a favourite destination for golf getaways. A feeling of solitude is afforded from the expansive sandy wastelands that have been crafted from natural river sand. Ninety minutes’ drive from Auckland, it’s easily fit into a tour of the North Island exploring the best golf destinations. After the round, the café, bar and deck are enticing places to spend an afternoon basking in the architecturally designed clubhouse and taking in the natural surrounds.
Photographs by Gary Lisbon, Jacob Sjoman
