12 reasons to visit New Zealand in the next 12 months

From course renovations and major redesigns, new golf courses and hotels, New Zealand should be on every golfer’s travel plans for the next year. Here’s why.

For many Australians, it’s either been a while since they’ve travelled internationally or, if they have, it might have been only once since the COVID-19 pandemic. While not ideal, the silver lining is when it comes to a neighbour in our region, like New Zealand, plenty has changed. Your favourite courses have been refined and redesigned, while there are totally new courses like the world-renowned Te Arai Links. The experience isn’t just different, it’s better. From the North Island to the South, we spoke to the entire industry to find enough reasons for you to jump on a flight to Aotearoa.

1. Relive the beginnings of Lydia Ko’s career, and the future of golf in New Zealand, at Clearwater

It’s wild to think it’s been 11 years since Lydia Ko won the 2013 Women’s NZ Open as an amateur at Clearwater Golf Resort in Christchurch. It came one year after she’d become the youngest ever player to win on the LPGA Tour. Ko, born in Korea but raised in Auckland, would become a household name when she went on to win the Women’s NZ Open – which then was a Ladies European Tour event – three times in four years as well as a finish runner-up. Fast forward to 2024 and now that Ko is an LPGA Hall of Famer, Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallist, and three-time major winner, it’s worth revisiting the layout that helped launch her brilliant career.

Designed by the acclaimed John Darby and New Zealand golf legend Sir Bob Charles, Clearwater is a resort course that was crafted in the spirit of iconic PGA Tour venues in the US, such as TPC Sawgrass. Perhaps that’s why 21-time LPGA Tour winner Ko was so successful at the Christchurch course. With its strategic use of sand and water, Clearwater demands precision and boldness, offering plenty of opportunities for heroic shots into its undulating, meticulously maintained greens.

Clearwater’s layout is exposed to the windy conditions typical of the Canterbury Plains. The course was constructed within an area known as The Groynes, a serene network of recreational lakes and waterways. Like Sawgrass, the host of the elite Players Championship, the finish at Clearwater is memorable. It begins with the 16th, a challenging par 3. The penultimate hole, the short par-4 17th, has a trio of bunkers surrounding perhaps the most interesting green on the property. No more obvious is the similarity to TPC Sawgrass than at the 18th, which, like the famed Florida course, has water flanking the entire left side. There’s also a peninsular green that makes the last approach shot of the round memorable.

Beside the history with Ko, Clearwater has more recently seen a boom of visiting golfers after the COVID-19 pandemic. With a Peppers Resort on-site, golfers are lapping up the chance to travel, play and stay at one of New Zealand’s most iconic courses.

“It has been great to see so many international players returning post-COVID, and with the Peppers Clearwater Hotel it’s a really convenient base for golfers coming into NZ,” general manager Aiden Berry says. “With the vast acreage of the resort, you can relax and enjoy the pristine golf course. Our membership base is really welcoming of visiting golfers, too. After their rounds, we encourage guests to take advantage of our 19th hole, The Player’s Lounge, to reminisce the highlights of their day.”

2. Marvel at the famed new Te Arai Links

Te Arai Links is New Zealand’s newest seaside masterpiece along the Pacific Ocean, 90 minutes from Auckland. The 36-hole destination has created waves in the golf world since opening across 2022 and 2023. Te Arai (pronounced “T-R-E”) has two pure links courses crafted from an undulating coastal landscape next door to the world-renowned Tara Iti. Te Arai offers travelling golfers a similar, and publicly accessible, experience on the same land as the ultra-private Tara Iti, New Zealand’s No.1-ranked course.

Te Arai’s South course, designed by Bill Coore, opened in October 2022. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Te Arai is rugged duneland with striking natural undulations. As Coore says, “it’s highly, highly gifted for golf.” Coore is renowned for his work at Lost Farm in Tasmania, Cabot Cliffs in Canada and American wonderlands Streamsong Red and Sand Hills. “It’s one of those extraordinary sites where, if you’re in the golf business, you could only wish for,” Coore says. “Obviously, Ben [Crenshaw] and I have been so fortunate through the years to get truly special sites to work with, and this is without question one of them.”

The North course, designed by Tara Iti creator Tom Doak, teed off a year later in October 2023. Both courses were ranked on Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2024: the South at No.40 and the North at No.36. Doak’s 6,338-metre, par-71 North begins and ends at the ocean, as well as a quick visit to the water at holes eight and nine. Elsewhere, the unique routing explores what had been a pine forest set on dunes high above the beach. “At Tara Iti, you’re looking at the Pacific Ocean from every hole. On [Te Arai’s South] course, all but the first few holes play directly at seaside,” Doak says. “That’s just the reality down here, yet everyone is pleased with the way the North course stands on its own, beside each of these world-class golf courses. We did want the North course to be different – and fun. We’re quite certain that we succeeded on both counts.” Visit https://tearai.com/

3. Visit the new-look Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs

In December last year, the prestigious hotel group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, assumed management of Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown. Rosewood operates a global collection of 33 properties in 21 countries and are renowned experts in the luxury space. Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs have also experienced renovations to their courses since 2020. During the COVID pandemic, Kauri Cliffs rolled out brand new greens and restored its fairways, while the near-20-year-old greens at Tom Doak’s Cape Kidnappers design were restored to their original perimeters. Greens staff then resurfaced the bentgrass greens and fairways. There has never been a better time to visit New Zealand’s two legacy courses.

4. Play rugged Muriwai Golf Links

Nestled among the wind-swept dunes overlooking the iconic black sands of Muriwai Beach, Muriwai Golf Links offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and challenge. With its rolling fairways built on a flawless sand base, thoughtfully placed bunkers, and demanding greens, this course provides a good test for the skilled golfer while remaining an enjoyable experience for players of all levels.

Only a 40-minute drive from Auckland, where farmland gradually gives way to a dramatic coastal setting, Muriwai is beginning to receive the notoriety it deserves. The course’s undulating terrain is shaped by sand dunes and bordered by wind-sculpted vegetation. But the meticulous maintenance crew ensures firm, fast fairways and quick, challenging greens that mimic the best of true links golf. The omnipresent winds play a crucial role, particularly on the par 5s, where a tailwind can make the greens reachable in two for the adept golfer, while a headwind transforms the same holes into formidable tests.

Make sure you take time to savour the stunning views from the second tee, the way the Norfolk pines frame the ninth, the challenging plateau green on the 13th, and the small but treacherous 16th with its benched, multi-tiered green. Meanwhile, the clubhouse is perched high above the fairways, offering the perfect place to unwind and watch the sun set over the Tasman Sea. Visit http://www.muriwaigolfclub.co.nz/

5. See the exciting changes at Royal Auckland and Grange

Plenty has happened at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club recently and this only adds a reason to visit. The 2015 merger between Royal Auckland Golf Club, founded in 1894, and Grange, formed in 1924, saw a new 27-hole masterpiece created by Nicklaus Design. The result is a golf experience unparalleled in New Zealand, capped with a new clubhouse by architect Andrew Patterson. On the course, three new nine-hole layouts – Grange, Tamaki, and Middlemore – were completed. The land on the original Grange course was used for the Grange nine, while the Middlemore nine blends several holes from the 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. Visit https://www.raggc.com/

6. Try the wonderful new Tieke Golf Estate

Designed by Brett Thompson and former PGA Tour winner Phil Tataurangi, Tieke Golf Estate opened to visitors in 2022 and has quickly become one of New Zealand’s most sought-after golf experiences.

Crafted out of sand from the original riverbed of New Zealand’s mightiest river, the Waikato River, Tieke uses the natural river sand, fine fescue turf, creeping bentgrass putting surfaces and a sensational design to provide a thrilling golf experience for all levels of skill. Tieke provides a special blend of links and private valley golf, leaving a feeling that your group has the course to itself.

The intention is for the ground game to be a constant option for shots, where a well-played bump-and-run will be equally as rewarded as a beautifully lofted wedge. The style of golf resembles what’s played on a coastal links despite being more than 50 kilometres from the nearest beach. The expansive sandy wastelands add a striking character to the course, paying homage to the whakapapa, or history, of the land. Tieke also boasts superb facilities, including a fleet of modern electric golf carts and an impressive golf shop. Tieke is also only 90 minutes from Auckland, making a perfect stop while exploring NZ’s top golf destinations, including Taupo and Rotorua. Auckland International Airport is easily accessible, while Hamilton Airport is a five-minute drive away. While you’re there, try the Tieke Café and Bar. The high ceilings of this architecturally designed clubhouse offer a wonderful place to soak up the views before, or after, golf. There’s also an expansive deck overlooking the course. Visit https://tiekegolf.co.nz/

7. Play The Good Doctor’s only New Zealand design

Titirangi Golf Club, in the Auckland suburb of New Lynn, is a true gem in NZ’s golf landscape. As the country’s only course designed by the legendary Golden Age architect Alister MacKenzie, it has consistently been ranked among NZ’s top 10 for its timeless design features and strategic layout. Titirangi has been played by some of the greatest names in golf, including Arnold Palmer, Sir Bob Charles and Greg Norman.

8. Experience the magic of Queenstown

Queenstown is unlike any golf destination, and for those on the east coast of Australia, it’s a mere three-hour direct flight into another world of luxury, golf, food and wine. There are stunning landscapes and world-class golf courses, restaurants and tourism experiences with a South Island charm. On the shores of the ancient and mystical Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is famed for its majestic Remarkables mountain range, one of the most spectacular places to play golf in the world. Many of the courses in Queenstown use the Remarkables to create an enchanting backdrop.

Jack’s Point is arguably the crown jewel of Queenstown golf, with a breathtaking routing along cliffs and through farmland with dramatic lake and mountain vistas. The course’s rugged terrain and challenging holes, such as the downhill par-3 seventh, give it a delightful mix of Canadian Rockies, Irish links golf and pure NZ aesthetic all at once. Millbrook Resort offers a blend of modern luxury and traditional Kiwi charm with its two 18-hole courses, the Remarkables and Coronet layouts. This stellar resort provides two exceptional courses within a plush, resort setting, making it a good base for a Queenstown golf trip. For those who appreciate a more nostalgic and rustic layout, Arrowtown Golf Club offers an old-fashioned experience with narrow fairways, natural obstacles like grassy, rocky mounds in the middle of fairways, and a modest clubhouse that harks back to a simpler time. The Hills is a private club, has been a host of the NZ Open, with its boldly undulating and thrilling piece of land creating a course and club that adds a touch of exclusivity to the region.

Beyond golf, Queenstown is a world-renowned region for gastronomy and wine. Wine lovers will lap up some of the renowned Central Otago vineyards while at night, Queenstown’s vibrant restaurant and bar scene comes alive with 150 establishments like Botswana Butchery and Eichardt’s Grille. It’s also the thrill-seeking adventure capital of the world, with activities like jet-boat rides, Whitewater rafting, and scenic tours and the 150-kilometre Queenstown Trail to explore on foot or by bike. For a gentler activity, there are day spas and hot pools, plus vineyard and food tours.

Visit https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/

9. Queenstown GC has even better views

We don’t know how they did it, but they did. Queenstown Golf Club (which dates back to 1915) will celebrate its 50th anniversary on its Kelvin Peninsula site in April 2025, but it has never looked better. In fact, one of the world’s most beautiful courses has improved its views, which were already out of this world. While many courses in Central Otago are breathtaking, Queenstown Golf Club is blessed with the additional gift of having prime real estate on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. That’s because of its ideal location at Kelvin Heights, a masterstroke made almost a half a century ago. It not only stares at the Remarkables, but is surrounded by mesmerising waters. Over the past 18 months, though, the club had 450 wilding pine trees removed. This opened up vistas for golfers and clubhouse guests but also allowed its turf to stop competing with so many trees for water. Subsequently, the added sunlight from the tree removal has seen an improvement in the fairways in addition to added investment in course care equipment.

In terms of playing, Queenstown is incredibly friendly for visiting Australian golfers, with the club balancing member and visitor access on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They are the best days to play all day, while afternoon times are in play on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Saturday is members only.

By the time you’re reading this, Queenstown Golf Club will also have finished upgrading its clubhouse. Those enhancements included a new, enlarged deck with views of the surrounding mountains (including the Skyline gondola). Guests on the deck will also enjoy an updated kitchen serving food throughout the day in addition to the already popular café offerings.

Visit https://www.queenstowngolf.co.nz/

10. Alloggio’s luxury accommodation options are worth a trip alone

Alloggio’s Queenstown portfolio hosts some of the most stunning properties in the South Island, while its Taranaki listings offer North Island opulence.  The spread of choices in Queenstown includes those with proximity to golf courses, hot tubs and infinity pools overlooking lakes, as well as alfresco dining, fireplaces, easy airport access, restaurants and landmarks. With expansive living areas, chef’s kitchens, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and large decks, Alloggio’s accommodation choices meet all the needs of a luxury group golf trip including a selection of properties close to the iconic courses of Arrowtown, Millbrook and The Hills.

Alloggio’s properties could easily feature in an architecture magazine: take a look at the rustic Countryside Escape and the huge, modern and lake-facing Infinity Heights. For those with a penchant for lakeside luxury, the Sicilian property in Queenstown is a marvellous four-bedroom house overlooking Lake Hayes and the mountains.

Be sure to check out the Wharenui Queenstown, a five-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a separate stone cottage with two ensuite bedrooms. Wharenui is a spacious country home nestled among 4.7 hectares of mature grounds, yet only a three-minute drive to Millbrook Resort, five minutes to Arrowtown Golf Club, 10 minutes to The Hills and 20 minutes to Queenstown. For large groups, look at the majestic Lakeside Terrace. Sit in front of the log fire after a round of golf and watch the sun set through floor-to-ceiling windows before you enjoy a 15-minute lakeside stroll into Queenstown through the botanic gardens to an array of restaurants and bars.

In Taranaki – where Waverley and New Plymouth golf clubs offer a quintessentially New Zealand golf experience – Alloggio also has plenty of accommodation to choose from. Alloggio is the best way for travelling golfers to experience Queenstown and Taranaki in their most lavish forms.

Visit https://www.alloggio.com.au/ or email bookings@alloggio.com.au

11. Experience Over the Top it all its glory

Former New Zealand prime minister, and golf lover, John Key, described it best. “I don’t think you’ll ever replicate this around the world,” Key said about Over The Top golf experience. Perched at an elevation of 1,500 metres in the Southern Alps, Over The Top offers an extraordinary golf adventure that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Fly by helicopter from Queenstown, soaring over Lake Wakatipu, and landing on a private par-3 golf hole that is among the world’s most picturesque golf scenes. This experience isn’t just for seasoned golfers; it’s a bucket-list activity for anyone seeking a blend of luxury, adventure and natural beauty.

Quite simply, it’s the world’s most extraordinary par 3. The Over The Rock (pro tee) sits at an altitude of 1,500 metres while the distance of the hole is 285 metres. The next tee, the Keynote (Eco tee) is at an altitude of 1,475 metres and the hole measures 260. The Extreme tee (men’s tee) is perched at 1,460m and the holes is 212, while the Chick Shot (Ladies tee) is 150 metres. There’s also the Sip and Putt green. There’s no need to bring your own gear, as you’ll be equipped with top-of-the-line clubs from Golf Warehouse and Srixon balls. A few golfers have managed birdies, but the elusive hole-in-one is still up for grabs – will you be the first to achieve it? Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Queenstown’s CBD, this unforgettable experience combines the thrill of a helicopter flight with the challenge and beauty of an alpine golf hole, making it a must-do for any visitor.

Visit https://www.overthetopgolf.co.nz/ or email teeoff@overthetopgolf.co.nz

12. Try the new par 3 course at The Hills

If you haven’t been to Queenstown since 2019, there’s a new treat in store for you. The Hills Golf Club introduced a new gem in 2019: The Farm, a nine-hole par-3 course designed by acclaimed golf architect and writer Darius Oliver. The Farm, however, offers a different kind of golf adventure. Oliver describes it as an “elastic, choose-your-own-adventure” layout, where golfers can select from multiple tee locations, distances, and angles, creating a dynamic and personalised experience in each round.