Golf Down Under?

[WaffleHouseTour]

Any spies w experience in New Zealand or Australia?  More specifically anyone use a golf tour operator down under that organizes tee times, accommodations etc…?

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 minutes ago, WaffleHouseTour said:

Any spies w experience in New Zealand or Australia?  More specifically anyone use a golf tour operator down under that organizes tee times, accommodations etc…?

I have been to NZ twice and took clubs both times. Australia once with clubs. 

Australia I played 3 rounds and simply emailed ahead of time asked for dates etc and booked tee times with them online. 

NZ I played with @Nunfa0 in the Christchurch region. We played 3 courses over the two trips (Pegasus, Templeton and Waimairi) All great tracks. 

The first trip to NZ I only had a few days, but managed to get a round in at Queenstown GC (same thing called and booked ahead) then two with John in Christchurch. Was a lot of fun, but too short. 

The second trip was on the back of the Australia leg and I will admit was really fun. I had a car rented in Auckland and a date to meet John in Christchurch then another date to get to work near Dunedin. Because it was their winter courses were still open, but most of them had honesty boxes or pay to play outside the course. I actually dont remember how many courses I played because I would make my plan the night before, drive to the course play, maybe drive to another and then when I got tired look up an Air BnB and stop for the night. Do the same thing the next day and at least once drove by a course that looked cool so would stop play 9 and keep going. There was only one course I had to email ahead of time to book, which was Arrowtown (loved this course). 

There are a few companies (golf new zealand) which offer packages in different areas. Jacks Point and such in Queenstown is popular and highly rated. If you want to go all out you can get a letter from your club, send it to Tara Iti and ask for a once in a lifetime opportunity to play there. You truly are only allowed to do this once in your life so plan accordingly. It is a lot (well over a grand per round because you have to stay at the course as well... plus caddie... plus food). Cape Kidnappers and such you could book online easily enough as well. 

This is kinda rambling, but my experience was it wasnt hard to get onto the courses and a simple email ahead of time managed to work everything out. 

[WaffleHouseTour]

12 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I have been to NZ twice and took clubs both times. Australia once with clubs. 

Thanks. Trying to plan ahead for a bucket list trip.  Have always wanted to go and not getting any younger - so need to make concrete plans and not wait for “some day…”. I am usually a book it yourself guy, but sometimes the “packaged” trips just make things easier if they check the right boxes. 

[MattF]

Maybe @Peaksy68 or @Blueberry_Squishie could help you with the Australia portion. They're in the Melbourne area if that's where you'd be going.

@Omnitrader is a new guy here but is in the Sydney area.

[Peaksy68]

I’d strongly recommend putting Melbourne and surrounds as well as Tasmania on your must do list. Coincidentally I just put my top 10 courses up, and all are in these areas. Could easily add 10 more within 1 1/2 hours of Melbourne. 
 

Being a local I haven’t used a tour company except for a Tasmania trip that a mate organised. Our next trip to Tassie we’ll probably self organise. 
 

If you’re comfortable driving on the other side of the road, self driving opens up lots of options. Coincidentally there are lots of quality wineries near the premium courses around Melbourne and In Tasmania if you’re into wine.
 

Golf is relatively cheap, even with international rates at some courses. Exchange rates help even more. 
 

From what I’ve seen, New Zealand is more expensive than Australia for top courses. My feeling is that there is a bit of a premium for the stunning views 

 

 

Just now, MattF said:

Maybe @Peaksy68 or @Blueberry_Squishie could help you with the Australia portion. They're in the Melbourne area if that's where you'd be going.

@Omnitrader is a new guy here but is in the Sydney area.

Snap

[Peaksy68]

@WaffleHouseTour are you a member of a private club? Might make it easier to get onto some of the Sandbelt clubs in Melbourne 

[WaffleHouseTour]

Thanks all -

a) I am comfortable driving on the left (didn’t kill myself in Scotland, or Ireland)

b) belong to two private clubs - so good advice. 

c) due to time constraints leaning toward NZ and Tasmania - really want to see Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, and maybe take the plunge on Taraiti.

d) gotta find a few things for She Who Must Be Obeyed to do to offset my golfing…

[Blueberry_Squishie]

On 8/26/2023 at 8:16 AM, WaffleHouseTour said:

Thanks all -

a) I am comfortable driving on the left (didn’t kill myself in Scotland, or Ireland)

b) belong to two private clubs - so good advice. 

c) due to time constraints leaning toward NZ and Tasmania - really want to see Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, and maybe take the plunge on Taraiti.

d) gotta find a few things for She Who Must Be Obeyed to do to offset my golfing…

I think Cape Wickham should be incredibly high on your list. My favourite course.

[Peaksy68]

On 8/26/2023 at 8:16 AM, WaffleHouseTour said:

Thanks all -

a) I am comfortable driving on the left (didn’t kill myself in Scotland, or Ireland)

b) belong to two private clubs - so good advice. 

c) due to time constraints leaning toward NZ and Tasmania - really want to see Barnbougle, Cape Kidnappers, and maybe take the plunge on Taraiti.

d) gotta find a few things for She Who Must Be Obeyed to do to offset my golfing…

The accomodation and dining at Barnbougle are excellent and very reasonably priced. Depending on when you’re coming, 7 Mile (just outside Hobart) may be open.

Getting to Tasmania you’ll need to go via Melbourne or Sydney, lots to do in Melbourne and surrounds for non golfers. Both the peninsula’s south and south west of Melbourne have great golf and lots of wineries.  Tasmania is amazing, great golf, great food and wine, interesting historical stuff and incredible nature. I had 2 weeks there earlier this year and can’t wait to go back. 
Agree with @Blueberry_Squishie that Cape Wickham is incredible, it’s a bit harder to get there but more flight options now. Not a lot else to do for your wife unless she surfs.

 

[Blueberry_Squishie]

1 hour ago, Peaksy68 said:

Agree with @Blueberry_Squishie that Cape Wickham is incredible, it’s a bit harder to get there but more flight options now. Not a lot else to do for your wife unless she surfs.

 

Cheese is very nice on King Island.