Golf in Australia

Our Golfing Journey through Australia

G’day mate, and welcome to Golf in Australia!

We originally planned to stay in Australia for about six months. But as full-time travelers, we quickly learned that the best journeys aren’t the ones you plan—they’re the ones you live.

Our “short” visit turned into an unforgettable two-year road trip. We traveled through every state and territory except Western Australia, living and golfing out of our trusty campervan named Putu.

We drove more than 50,000 kilometers. We played golf with kangaroos and emus. We played on red sand, black soil, golden fairways, and seaside cliffs.

We teed off on iconic links courses, the famous Melbourne Sandbelt, and tiny 9-holers in remote Outback towns. Some courses were famous. Some were forgotten. But each one gave us stories we’ll never forget.

So, when you’re ready, let’s go play golf in Australia!!

Golf Down Under!

We happened to arrive in Melbourne at the same time as The Presidents Cup. Coincidence? Well, we will let you decide, but we did not let this chance pass us by and quickly bought a day ticket.

Not only was our day at Mornington Golf Club a day of firsts, but it absolutely epitomizes our love of golf!

With still so much more golf in Melbourne to play, we packed our golf clubs into our campervan, Putu, and bid our farewells with a promise to return later in the year.

Unfortunately, however, our journey north coincided with the bushfires that consumed much of the country. So we decided to continue further to the incredibly beautiful state of Queensland.

Our plans to play golf with our mate Brendan were a year and a half in the making. We finally met him at Gympie Golf Course, his home course. And some things are worth the wait!

Home to two of Australia’s biggest names in golf, Virginia Golf Club has earned its appropriately named nickname of The Course of Champions. And we were excited to find out for ourselves what made this golf course produce 2 major champions.

Back to New South Wales

From Queensland, we slowly made our way down the beautiful coast of New South Wales, making our way to Sydney. Located directly in the city, it seems unthinkable to call Bondi Golf and Diggers Club a hidden gem. After all, how could a golf course that is located just a pitching wedge from one of the most famous beaches in the world be hidden?

When we shared our list of golf courses Down Under that we wanted to play with our mate Ross Flannigan from the My Love of Golf podcast, he said there was one course that we must add to the list- Long Reef Golf Club.

Located at Strathfield Golf Club, we were excited to receive an invitation to view the impressive historical golf collection at The Australian Golf Heritage Society.

Next up was a golf course that we have been dreaming about for years, The New South Wales Golf Club. We had high expectations for NSWGC, and every single one of them was easily exceeded!  This is golf that dreams are made of!

A Change of Plans

We must admit that Gerringong Golf Club wasn’t on our golfing radar. Our intention was to travel down the South Coast and head to Tasmania so we could play golf before the cool weather set in.

However, it was March of 2020, and COVID-19 had other plans for us as it did for the rest of the world! And so, during the lockdown, Menekse and I were forced to take a flat in Jervis Bay. Days turned into weeks, and weeks quickly turned into months. And after 73 days, we could finally play golf again!

It took us a long time before we could finally play Mollymook Golf Club. But golf was considered essential again, so we packed our golf clubs in our campervan, Putu, and made the short drive down to the Club.

With borders between Australia’s states still closed, we made a detour to The Hinterland of New South Wales, eager to find out what lies on the road ahead.

“The next town has a golf course, but you might not like it” the museum curator mentioned. “The grass is brown, and the greens are black” she continued. Black greens?  Needless to say, we drove to Trundle Golf Club that same day.

We have played many sand green golf courses before.  And we’ve even played horse racetrack golf courses. But a horse racetrack golf course with sand greens? Coonamble Golf Club was a first for us!

An Unexpected Return to Queensland

Unsure of what to do and where to travel, we decided to leave New South Wales and head back north to the warmth and safety of Queensland.

Brandybottle Golf Club is conveniently located between the “Are we almost there yet Dad?” and the “How much further, Mum?” signposts on Queensland’s Bruce Highway. It was a self-described Hackers Paradise and Golfers Nightmare!

After seemingly endless drives, we were excited to get back to the coast and spend time in the sun and at the beach again. Resting onshore from the postcard-worthy Whitsundays, Bowen Golf Club lies on the tropical paradise coastline of central Queensland.

The oldest golf club in Queensland, Townsville Golf Club is constantly looking toward the future. And the golf course was exactly the challenge that we had been needing!

Golf in the Top End

If you had asked us in early 2020 if we were planning to play golf in the Northern Territory, we would have said no. But, with border restrictions still impacting our travel plans, we crossed from Queensland into the Top End, eager to Do the NT! The NT does not have many golf courses, but we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the golf. And we found that the Northern Territory not only has fun golf, but the NT is also chockablock with unforgettable experiences!

Established in 1930, Darwin Golf Club is the oldest in the Northern Territory. More importantly to us, it is also where Menekse played a brilliant round of golf!

When you come across a town named Humpty Doo, well, you must stop and play golf! And we are so happy that we did because Humpty Doo and Rural Area Golf Club was one of the biggest surprises of our golfing journey.

With tee boxes reminiscent of a graveyard, and fairways that haven’t received a drop of rain in forever, Tennant Creek Golf Club was the hottest, dustiest, and most abandoned golf course we have ever twirled our clubs on!

Designed by legendary Australian golfer Peter Thomson, Alice Springs Golf Club is desert golf that highly rewards accuracy.

And, for the umpteenth time this year, COVID-19 reared its ugly head, and we were again forced to adjust our plans. We had to postpone our travels through South Australia, as well as our goal of Golfing the Explorers Way.

Golf in Tasmania

Tasmania was a golf destination we couldn’t wait to explore. And it exceeded every expectation.

Tasmania is home to 5 courses that are on our Ultimate Golf Course Bucket List, so we gave ourselves nearly 4 months to explore the possibilities of this incredible island.

First up was Ratho Farm, the oldest golf course in the Southern Hemisphere, and an experience that we will never forget.

While in Bothwell, we had to visit the Australasian Golfing Museum!

As we traveled through Tassie, we came to the realization that we might not be able to make it to King Island. But just then, we received an email that made it possible. First up was King Island Golf and Bowling Club, a course that is a must-play while on the island.

It may be an arduous journey just to get to Cape Wickham Golf Links. However, the adventurous golfer will be rewarded with one of the greatest courses in the world!

We loved our day at Ocean Dunes Golf Course, one of the most beautiful golf courses that we have ever played.

Playing golf on my father’s birthday at Lost Farm was something more than special.

When we originally decided to travel the world, bringing our golf clubs wasn’t always the plan. But the dream of playing golf at Barnbougle Dunes was why we changed our plans!

Traveling through Tassie, we asked locals where we should play. Tasmania Golf Club was recommended by everyone, and we found out why!

Golf in Melbourne

After Tasmania, we returned to one of our favorite cities, Melbourne. One of the greatest sporting capitals in the world, Melbourne is home to some of the premier golf courses in the world, as well as the famous Melbourne Sandbelt.

Kingston Heath Golf Club was our first time playing the Melbourne Sandbelt, and we fell in love with the subtle genius of the golf course.

Designed by Mr. Tom Doak, St Andrews Beach Golf Club is simply a great golf course!

The story of how we received our invitation to play the Gunnamatta Course at The National is a pretty good one! And we’ve had quite a few unique invites in our travels!

Sandy Golf Links is another wonderful Melbourne Sandbelt golf course and has the coolest rules in all of golf!

We were curious to find out how Royal Park Golf Course turned Mr. Peter Thomson into one of Australia’s greatest Champion Golfers.

Saving the best for last was our visit to the Cathedral of Australian golf, the West Course at Royal Melbourne Golf Club!

And no golfer’s visit to Melbourne would be complete without paying respects to the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Grounds and the Rod Laver Arena.

Golf in Victoria

With breaks like the world-famous Bells Beach, Raffs Beach, and Thirteenth Beach, surfing in Australia has its roots in Victoria. But the southern coast of Victoria also has some outstanding golf courses. And for golf in Australia, Victoria is definitely The Place to Be!

Eden, Biarritz, Redan, Road; there are no more famous holes in golf. Incorporating template holes, Lonsdale Links takes inspiration from the game’s greatest design features and routes them into one incredible golf course.

Barwon Heads Golf Club might have been just one small leap for James, but it was one giant leap for Puttering around the World!

Located on the Great Ocean Road, Peterborough Golf Club is one of the most incredible 9-holers we have ever played!

One of only seven true links golf courses in Australia, Port Fairy Golf Club was an absolutely fantastic golf course! And, OMG, what a back nine!!!!

Golf in South Australia

Border closures related to COVID-19 really impacted our time in South Australia. Shortly after we first arrived, the state went into lockdown, so we raced to cross the border into Victoria. Later, when we tried to return, the state was closed to travelers from Vic, where we were.

But when we finally made it back, South Australia blew us away! The beaches, the wineries, and the golf—this might just be the most underrated state in Australia.

You already know that our global list of golf courses that we want to play is, well, eccentric.  So, it should come as no surprise that Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club was on our bucket list!

Robe Golf Club came highly recommended by every golfer we met. With three 6-hole loops, it was unique and super fun to play.

It took us 6 months to finish our round at Mount Compass Golf Course, but it was well worth the wait!

Royal Adelaide Golf Club, what a classic! The crater, the passing train, the foxes on the fairway, this course has it all!

Being able to return to Adelaide, we were finally able to finish our mission of Golfing the Explorers Way!

And finally, we made it to the legendary Nullarbor Links, the world’s longest golf course. Spanning more than 1,365 kilometers (848 miles), we couldn’t resist the challenge!

Catch Ya Later, Australia

We didn’t plan to stay in Australia for over two years. But now we can’t imagine our lives without this journey.

This incredible country helped us grow as travelers, as golfers, and as partners.

No, we didn’t become better players. But we became better at understanding what matters to us on a golf course: character, setting, and especially soul.

Even after 798 days, 50,950 kilometers, and one brave attempt at a Vegemite sandwich, we still weren’t finished.

COVID border closures meant we never made it to Western Australia, and in January 2022, we sold our beloved campervan, Putu, and flew out with heavy hearts.

But we made one last promise as we left: We will return.

🇦🇺 Slow Travel & Sightseeing in Australia

Beyond the fairways, Australia offered us countless unforgettable experiences. We sipped artisanal coffee in Melbourne’s vibrant laneways, walked across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and marveled at the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonders. Our drives along the Explorer’s Way led us to the ancient landscapes of Kakadu and the majestic Uluru. In Tasmania, we discovered pristine beaches and even caught a glimpse of the mesmerizing Southern Lights. Every moment deepened our love for this diverse and welcoming land.

For more on our unforgettable Australian adventures, visit our Slow Travel Australia page.

Golf in Australia: Everything You Need to Know

Where is Australia?

Australia is a vast island continent located in the Southern Hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It’s known for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts, and boasts a rich tapestry of cultures and histories.

How Do You Get to Australia?

• From Europe: Flights typically connect through hubs like Singapore, Dubai, or Doha before reaching Australian cities.
• From North America: Direct flights are available from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
• From Asia: Numerous direct flights operate from cities such as Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong to various Australian destinations.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Play Golf in Australia?

Australia’s diverse climates mean that the ideal golfing season varies by region:

• Southern Regions (e.g., Melbourne, Sydney): September to May offers pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall, ideal for golf.
• Northern Regions (e.g., Queensland, Northern Territory): May to September is preferable, avoiding the hot and humid wet season. 

What Are the Best Golf Courses in Australia?

Australia boasts numerous world-class golf courses. Some of the most renowned include:

• Royal Melbourne Golf Club: Located in Victoria, it’s Australia’s oldest existing golf club and has hosted prestigious tournaments like The Presidents Cup.
• Barnbougle Dunes: Situated in Tasmania, this course is celebrated for its stunning coastal views and challenging links-style layout.
• Cape Wickham Golf Links: Located on King Island, it’s renowned for its breathtaking ocean vistas and world-class design. 
• Kingston Heath Golf Club: A jewel of the Melbourne Sandbelt, Kingston Heath is renowned for its brilliant bunkering and strategic design.
• Lost Farm: Sister course to Barnbougle Dunes, Lost Farm was designed by Bill Coore and takes full advantage of the wild coastline.

How Much Does Golf Cost in Australia?

Golfing costs in Australia vary based on the course’s prestige and location:

• Public Courses: Green fees typically range from AUD $30 to $50 for 18 holes.
• Top-Tier Courses: Playing elite courses can cost between AUD $265 to $358 per round.

Weekday rates are generally more affordable, and many courses offer discounts for students, seniors, and twilight sessions.

How Easy Is It to Play Golf in Australia?

Australia is welcoming to traveling golfers:

• Public Access: Many courses are open to the public, with some offering online booking systems.
• Equipment Hire: Clubs and carts are available for hire at most courses.

Puttering around the World wishes to acknowledge and pay respect to the Australian Aboriginal Peoples as the traditional and original owners, and continuing custodians of this beautiful land.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or book accommodation through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us keep creating free golf and travel content. Thank you for supporting Puttering around the World!