A winner in the World Luxury Hotel Awards in Turkey, The Sebel Yarrawonga lays compelling claims to be Australia’s best golf resort.
There is little doubt that The Sebel Yarrawonga is the Murray River’s premier golf and lifestyle resort, but that is selling it short if you ask those who have worked so hard to elevate it.
Home to the Thomson Perrett-designed championship layout at Black Bull Golf Club and award-winning boutique hotel, The Sebel Yarrawonga, sets the national standard according to director of golf, James McCully.
“We’ve created the No.1 golf lifestyle resort in Australia,” says McCully, who has been integral to Black Bull’s success since it opened its first holes in 2010.
“I’m always going to be biased in one way, but at the same time too, I believe it’s a must-play, must-stay destination. And it’s only just going to continue to improve as we go forward.”
Situated a little more than three hours’ drive from Melbourne and only one hour from Albury Airport, The Sebel Yarrawonga also boasts accommodation options ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments as well as two in-house restaurants, a poolside bar, gym and wellness centre.
“When you start thinking of the courses in Australia which have, a) public access, and b) accommodation along with the food and beverage, I don’t believe there’s a course in Australia which has the facilities that we now have, and they’re all brand new.”
The resort opened in November 2020 and was among the winners at the recent World Luxury Hotel Awards in Turkey.
“Golf and hospitality are such competitive markets and we are honoured to be recognised,” says
Jason Cooley, The Sebel Yarrawonga’s general manager.
“I think no matter the industry, every business strives to be a leader in its market, and we are no different.”
Uniquely positioned not only on the Murray River but right beside Lake Mulwala, The Sebel Yarrawonga’s sunsets are as good as you’ll find.
“It’s not known as ‘Sun Country’ for nothing,” Cooley says. “The Sebel Yarrawonga is known for its ‘golden glow’ as the sun sets over Lake Mulwala. It’s a vision you can’t quite explain until you witness it first-hand.”
After a round of golf at Black Bull, the aptly named Sunset Poolside Bar is the place to be.
“It’s north-facing to the water too, so you’ve got the sun setting right there in front of you, which is just amazing for this part of the world,” McCully adds.
Whether you are drawn to fine dining or a more relaxed restaurant setting, The Sebel Yarrawonga’s two in-house restaurants, Elizabeth’s and Stock and Barrel, have you covered.
“Stock and Barrel is our main restaurant that services breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Cooley says. “With seating inside and out on the terrace overlooking the lake, it’s easy to enjoy a drink by the fire and watch the sunset with a grazing board of local cheeses and meats or get a local grass-fed steak after a big day on the greens.
“Elizabeth’s offers a high-end exquisite menu. We hold degustation dinners where we partner with local wineries and take our guests on a journey from pasture to plate.”
The Sebel Yarrawonga’s accommodation offering is designed to cater equally for singles away on a golf weekend and families seeking all the creature comforts of three-bedroom apartments that include fully serviced kitchens.
“All rooms have stunning balconies overlooking our gardens or the picturesque lake,” Cooley says. “We tend to find that our lake view apartments are the most popular as they feel like a home away from home with a cosy fire and a wraparound balcony to entertain.”
Nature-lovers may gravitate to the nearby foreshore walking track, while those seeking relaxation will find what they need at the resort’s day spa.
“SOL Wellness Centre is known as Yarrawonga’s home of serenity,” Cooley says.
The day spa’s treatments are inspired by local Yarrawonga business, Rich Glen Provedore and Orangery, and influenced by Yarrawonga’s native bushland and, of course, the winding Murray River.
“SOL Wellness is a relaxing space designed to treat all the senses and instill calm and relaxation in each guest. We also have a fully equipped gym to suit the avid fitness enthusiast or the guest who wants to wind down after 18 holes at Black Bull.”
Unlike many of the golf venues on the New South Wales side of the Murray, at The Sebel Yarrawonga, you won’t see poker machines.
“It’s definitely more of a resort, family environment,” says McCully, who doesn’t mince words when he talks about the conditioning of fairways and greens at Black Bull.
“I’m extremely passionate about our facility, but I know it stacks up against any of the best courses when it comes to conditions. So, tees, fairways, greens, they’re as good as you’ll play at Royal Melbourne.”
Black Bull is rated the 73rd-best course in the country in Australian Golf Digest’s most recent Top 100 Courses ranking. The layout is heavily bunkered, the fairways are generous and so are the greens, which prompts McCully to refer to it as a ‘resort links course’.
Black Bull’s layout meanders between a series of small lakes before reaching a crescendo at the treacherous par-5 18th where the green hugs Lake Mulwala.
“We’ve got 14 holes which actually have water,” McCully says. “Out of those 14 there’s probably only two you’ve actually got to hit over [water].”
Golfers walk or drive through a ranch-style entrance at the fourth marking the start of a demanding three-hole stretch in the south-eastern corner of the course dubbed the ‘Bull Ring’. “It’s our take on Amen Corner,” McCully says.
The par-3 fourth stretches to 180 metres and calls for a forced carry over water while the par-4 sixth plays longer than 400 metres from the back tees and into a prevailing westerly wind, making it the most difficult hole on the course.
“And it’s a very tight driving hole with bunkering that surrounds the tee shot as it’s coming in,” McCully says. “Then from there, you’ve generally got a long iron to a two-tiered green and there’s water all down the right-hand side off the tee. And as you get close to the green, water comes into play as well.”
Like most modern courses, there’s a variety of teeing grounds to cater to players of all standards and golfers are told they can tee off wherever they like, though only golfers who are brave or foolish (or both) tend to tackle Black Bull from the black tees.
“Off the black markers, that’s where Black Bull really bares its teeth,” McCully says. “It’s 6,300 metres long from the tips, and that really does change the course.”
As a three-time host of the Victorian Senior Open and former Victorian Legends Tour venue, Black Bull is no stranger to professional golf events and is currently in talks to bring an international professional event to its course in 2024.
“That [would] be the biggest event that’s ever been held on the Murray River – not just from a tournament perspective, but also international exposure,” McCully says.
Ideal playing conditions year-round only strengthen The Sebel Yarrawonga’s appeal to golfers, while guests who are looking to spend a day away from the resort and are partial to a glass of wine need look no further than the Winemakers of Rutherglen Tour.
“We are so fortunate to be right in the middle of an endless array of beautiful locations and experiences,” Cooley says.
“At The Sebel we offer a Winemakers of Rutherglen Tour where we take our guests on an exclusive tour of some of our region’s most loved wineries. Yarrawonga town is only a short walk away where you can explore the Rich Glen Provedore and Orangery, a short drive to Squires Winery or out to Cactus Country.
“The Murray Farm Gate Trail is filled with cheeses, wines, liqueurs, olive oils, beef, fresh fruit and veggies, all available for sampling. When you visit The Sebel Yarrawonga for an ultimate golf getaway, it’s not just about the must-play and must-stay aspect, it can be an itinerary filled with fun experiences and lush local produce.”
THE DETAILS
Black Bull Golf Club
Where: 1-7 Silverwoods Boulevard, Yarrawonga VIC 3730
Phone: (03) 5744 0044
Web: blackbullgc.com.au
E-mail: [email protected]
