Our favourite places for a romantic couples’ getaway where golf is in the frame but doesn’t hog the spotlight
Valentine’s Day doesn’t necessarily own strong ties with golf, but that needn’t be the case. A golf-playing couple can naturally concoct a getaway itinerary that sates all on-course desires, but what of the duo in which only one is a golfer? You simply need to find somewhere to explore that caters for tastes beyond golf, and fortunately more such places are constantly emerging.
A Friday date for February 14 this year opens the possibility for a romantic long-weekend getaway, and we’ve got six dreamy options for you.
Barnbougle, Bridport, Tasmania
I’ll confess to some bias in this department, as I met my wife at Barnbougle. She was there on a girls’ weekend that included no golf while I was part of a group golf trip with three rounds scheduled – proof that the ever-popular facility in Tasmania’s north-east is no one-trick pony. With three golf courses, four types of accommodation (and a fifth in the pipeline), a restaurant, bar, bistro and soon-to-be-updated spa across the two adjoining sites, it’s a complete destination regardless of your motivation for visiting. And, if the weather permits, there’s an underrated stretch of beach to be enjoyed along the shoreline of Anderson Bay.
A sneaky locals’ tip: some of the best wineries in Tassie are located along the various routes between Barnbougle and Launceston. – Steve Keipert

Queenstown, New Zealand
For the postcard of a romantic getaway with world-class courses, Queenstown ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable experience. There’s no shortage of incredible golf to play, including Jack’s Point with its breathtaking scenery atop dramatic cliff faces. Fairways overlook jaw-dropping lake views, making every hole feel like a movie, or better yet, a honeymoon.
Old world charm and cosy comforts at Millbrook Resort see you play beneath the iconic snowfields with sheep roaming alongside the fairways, while there’s relaxed rounds to be played at Queenstown Golf Club. It’s nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and offers a friendly atmosphere and stunning landscapes.
If you want to take your golf and relationship to literally new heights, you can book an “Over the Top Golf” adventure where a helicopter whisks players to a mountaintop driving range with panoramic views that make every shot feel extraordinary. It’s bucket-list golf at its finest.
Off the course, the pace of play can slow down at stunning wineries and restaurants or can make your heart race with a bungee jump or jetboat ride. For couples with a competitive streak, there’s no better place to claim bragging rights and make unforgettable memories. – Gracie Richter
Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
The secret combination to any great, romantic golf destination is offering an experience that is as enjoyable for the non-golfer as the golfer. And if it’s physically beautiful, the property will probably garner international attention.
I cannot think of a better destination on the planet ticking all those boxes better than Rosewood Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand. For the golfer at Cape Kidnappers, the course is one of acclaimed designer Tom Doak’s finest projects anywhere in the world; a marvellous and thoughtful layout that traverses breathtaking gorges and asks interesting, strategic questions of those who tee it up. It also uses the stunning backdrop of Hawke’s Bay in an elegant way without overwhelming golfers. Cape Kidnappers deserved the No.16 ranking it once held on US Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses ranking.
For the non-golfer, the sheer opulence of the villas, which are rustic, chic cottages overlooking the farm and bay, as well as the quintessentially New Zealand fine dining in the lodge restaurant, are enough to forget your loved one is out on the course. There are also plenty of shared experiences, from the otherworldly menu each night at dinner, to the wine tasting of Hawke’s Bay’s finest drops and the walking trails around the stunning property, which is a working sheep farm. There are also spa facilities, private beaches, the incredible Cape Sanctuary (a Kiwi conservation project) and gannet colonies. – Evin Priest
Magenta Shores, Central Coast, NSW
Pullman Magenta Shores Resort blends sparkling accommodation in a stunning oceanside setting with restaurants, tennis courts and pool, beach, sauna and spa facilities, plus a top-40-ranked golf course – all in a location convenient to New South Wales’ two largest cities. It’s a classic example of not having to leave the venue once you arrive.
The golf course was constructed on a spit of land between Tuggerah Lake and the Pacific Ocean in a brilliant piece of massaging a sandy site. Veteran course architect Ross Watson augmented the seaside land to create what he’s long referred to as his magnum opus. With spellbinding holes in view of the sea coupling with more secluded holes tucked among the native beach scrub – and featuring rippled and rumpled fairways greens throughout – there is a distinct look to the Magenta Shores course. It magnifies its coastal setting via smart design while giving hints of the Melbourne Sandbelt in the more secluded parts. – S.K.
Duntryleague, Orange, NSW
A golden oldie, Duntryleague is just minutes outside 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. – G.R.

Pacific Dunes, Port Stephens, NSW
The excellent resort-style layout lacks its own on-site accommodation, yet Pacific Dunes operates stay-and-play packages with several nearby resorts and hotels, including the Cote D’Azur in Nelson Bay, Mantra Nelson Bay, Ramada Shoal Bay and Mercure Williamtown. Each accommodation option gives you a subtly different part of the gorgeous Port Stephens region to explore.
Celebrating its 20th birthday in 2025, the Pacific Dunes layout has built a reputation for what is best described as ‘fair difficulty’. The James Wilcher design is well known for blending a heavily wooded front nine with an open and water-laden second side. Yet few demanding courses also get their ‘fair–difficult’ quotient right. Pacific Dunes asks a lot of golfers – its Slope rating is a robust 140 from the black tees – however at no point would you describe the examination as unfair. You just need to play top-shelf golf to score well. – S.K.