Australia is home to some of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in the world. The variety of golf courses in Australia is astounding, from coastal courses with ocean views and hazards like sharks and crocodiles; to mountain courses where the fairway is a slippery rock wall; to courses set in picturesque vineyards, or desert oases with palm trees as bunkers; there really is something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Get your clubs packed and book that flight to Australia now! Here are our top 5 favorite golf courses Down Under:
Top 5 Golf Courses in Australia
The Vines Resort in South Australia
The Vines Resort is our top choice in Australia. This stunning ocean-side course sits on the edge of the Eyre Peninsula, making it the southernmost 18-hole golf course in the world. It is a stunningly scenic golf course and the views are spectacular whether the course is hit in the mornings or in the late afternoon on a clear day. The wind can make it tough for golfers to hit the ball accurately on a calm day, so if you want to play to your full potential, try to visit on a day with a breeze.
The Vines Resort is home to the Koalas golf tournament, which is held in October. This is an annual women’s golf event hosted by the Golf SA that raises funds for breast cancer research.
Royal Canberra Golf Club
This historic course dates back to 1906 and has hosted many significant golf events, including the Australian Open in 1914 and the Australian Amateur in 1912, 1932 and 1962. It is home to the Royal Canberra Golf Club, which is the oldest golf club in Australia. The traditional links course is set in the rolling hills of Canberra and is a spectacular course to play, with some really long and challenging holes.
On a good day, the views of the Australian Capital city and the surrounding hills are breathtaking. It’s a challenging course that regularly throws up some low scoring results, so be prepared to work hard on your game. It is a traditional links-style course, so be prepared to face tricky winds, and with the number of water hazards on the course, expect to see plenty of wet golfers!
Wolgan Valley Resort in NSW
Wolgan Valley Resort is a stunningly scenic golf course and one of the most unique courses in Australia, set in the mountains of New South Wales. It is about a three-hour drive from Sydney, but is well worth the trip. It is a challenging course for all levels of golfers and a great test of your game. The course is built into the landscape with some holes nestled into valleys between mountains, and others hug the edges of cliffs above stunning gorges.
The course is beautifully maintained and is in pristine condition even when it has been raining heavily in the region. Wolgan Valley Resort is home to the Australian Alpine Golf Open, which is held in the spring. This unique tournament is played in the snow, and the concept behind the tournament is that the ball travels far less when it is cold, so it creates a different game.
Hamilton Island Golf Course
Hamilton Island Golf Course is a challenging links course that winds through the palm trees of one of the most idyllic tropical golf destinations in Australia, the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland. The majority of the holes are played along the beach or over the coral reef that borders the islands, with the Pacific Ocean serving as a challenging and beautiful hazard. The views are spectacular.
It is a long course, with the front nine playing longer than the back nine, so get ready for some long walks in between shots to reach your next shot location. It is a challenging course, with hazards and challenging winds, so make sure you bring your A-game. The course is in pristine condition and highly rated by golfers.
Mornington Peninsula GC
Mornington Peninsula Golf Club is an Australian classic, and is our number 5 choice in Australia. It is a spectacular course that is set near a coastal town called Frankston, just south of Melbourne. The course is regularly voted as one of the top public golf courses in Australia and is a must-play for any golfer visiting the country. It is a relatively short, but challenging course that has been designed to test all levels of golfer.
The course winds through lush, green fairways, with plenty of water hazards and bunkers to test you. As it is regularly ranked as one of the top public golf courses in Australia, make sure you book your tee times well in advance, as it is very popular with golfers. The course is in great condition, and the clubhouse is welcoming, with a great bar overlooking the course.
Conclusion
Our top choice in Australia is The Vines Resort, which is a stunningly scenic ocean-side course that is the southernmost 18-hole golf course in the world. Royal Canberra Golf Club is our number two choice, a challenging links course that is set in the rolling hills of Canberra and has hosted many significant golf events. Wolgan Valley Resort is our third choice, a unique course that is set in the mountains of New South Wales and is a spectacular course to play.
Our final choice is Mornington Peninsula Golf Club, a spectacular links course that is set near a coastal town called Frankston and is a must-play for any golfer visiting the country. If you are planning a golf vacation, make sure you include a visit to one of these top golf courses in Australia. They are challenging and beautiful courses, with spectacular views and hazards. They are courses that every golfer should play at least once in their lifetime. Also, don’t forget to check out some amazing Golf Courses from around the world!
