Since reopening in December 2020, Lonsdale Links has made a name for itself as one of Victoria’s most exciting courses. Perched on the Bellarine Peninsula, the course combines stunning coastal views with a design that’s as clever as it is playable, giving every round a sense of drama and discovery.
Rather than just redesign the old layout, Ogilvy Cocking Mead re-imagined it. There are subtle nods to the great holes of the world without ever feeling copied. A Biarritz-style green at the second, a thumbprint depression on the 12th, a reverse Redan at 14, and a quiet nod to the Road Hole at 16 all keep golfers thinking. Even the opening hole, “Alps,” surprises with a blind second shot over a mound, a reminder that strategy and precision are rewarded here.
Like other great links courses, Lonsdale Links never feels the same twice. The coastal winds constantly shift how holes play, and changing pin positions can turn an easy par 4 into a test of nerves. The front nine flows through native Moonah forest and alongside the daunting Lake Victoria at the fourth hole, while the back nine opens up more, offering dramatic vistas and bold, challenging greens. Every hole seems to have a story, with bunkers and contours placed to make you think about each shot.
The club’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lonsdale Links has consistently ranked in Australia’s top 50 courses since reopening and currently sits 36th on Australian Golf Digest’s biennial Top 100 Golf Courses list. In 2025, Lonsdale was named Victorian Golf Club of the Year and won Regional Pro-Am of the Year, while also being shortlisted for two categories at the Golf Australia National Awards of Excellence.
In a clear sign that golfers are noticing what the club has to offer, membership continues to grow, with a waitlist looming. Lonsdale Links isn’t just a course; it’s a community, a place where careful design, immaculate conditions and atmosphere come together to make every round feel special.
From the air, the course looks picture perfect: sweeping dunes, bold bunkering and greens that ripple with subtlety. On the ground, it’s even better – every hole has a little twist, a moment of thought, or a view that makes you stop and admire the work behind it. For golfers seeking a coastal challenge with character, Lonsdale Links has quickly become a must-play.
THE DETAILS
Lonsdale Links
31 Clubhouse Dr, Point Lonsdale VIC 3225
(03) 5258 1955
lonsdalelinks.com.au
