Australia Golf Vacations

The Melbourne Sandbelt, lying southeast of the city on the shores of Port Phillip Bay is world-renowned for excellent golf. This natural sand foundation lends itself to extensive and often spectacular bunkering, one of the reasons Australia’s great golfers have a reputation for being exceptional bunker players.

Beyond the famed courses of Royal Melbourne, Victoria Golf Club, and Kingston Heath, the metropolitan city offers an exceptional vacation experience. Enjoy the array of live sports on offer, sample some of Australia’s best wines, or visit the native penguin population on Phillip Island.

The state of Tasmania is located off the southern coast of Australia’s mainland. Split across two islands, accessing golf here can be a little more challenging, but well worth the effort.

With Cape Wickam and Barnbougle’s course designers including Tom Doak, Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, and Mike DeVries, this is the ultimate remote golf destination in the southern hemisphere. Without the historic prestige of Melbourne golf, Tasmania has only made its name in the 21st century, however is now an unmissable addition to an Australian golf tour.

Like The Country Club outside Boston, Royal Melbourne GC has three recognized championship courses among the 36 holes on property. There is the West, the East, and the Composite – made up of 6 holes from the East and 12 from the West that are utilized in prestigious competitions.

New South Wales GC features breathtaking views overlooking the Tasman Sea and Bounty Bay, where Captain Cook on the Endeavor first sailed into Sydney. The area is part of the National Park Kamay Bounty Bay region.

The golf world stood up and took notice of little-known Tasmania as a links golf destination when the original Barnbougle Dunes course opened in 2004. It was the brilliant vision and collaboration between Tom Doak and ex-Australian professional, Mike Clayton.