While New Zealand had long enjoyed the title of having the most golf courses per capita, it wasn’t until Kauri Cliffs, closely followed by Cape Kidnappers, that it became a coveted long-haul golf destination.
The Rosewood Kauri Cliffs golf resort on the northland coastline is home to private beaches, panoramic ocean views, and a championship golf course with award-winning greens. While one of the best courses in the world, Kauri Cliffs is also an excellent stop on your New Zealand golf vacation if fine wines are on your experience list.
The golf world stood up and paid attention when the late hedge fund billionaire, Julien Robertson, opened the David Harman-designed course in 2004, on his working sheep ranch in New Zealand. The course immediately rocketed up the world rankings and proved the Field of Dreams motto – “If you build it, they will come.”
Harmon was instructed by Robertson to elongate the routing, taking every advantage of the stunning sea views. The final routing has perhaps the farthest distance between the 7th tee to the 14th green of any non-links course, completing the vision.
Combine the finest golf across New Zealand with some of the most picturesque and stunning scenery on North and South Island. New Zealand is a land of wonder, and you will experience otherworldly vistas on and off the golf course.
10 nights accommodation and 7 rounds of golf
Prices starting from $14,145
Perched above the dramatic coastline of New Zealand’s North Island, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs is an extraordinary luxury retreat renowned for its breathtaking setting and world-class golf. The resort pairs elegant accommodations with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, exceptional dining, and impeccable service. Surrounded by native forest, secluded beaches, and rolling countryside, it offers an unforgettable blend of championship golf and refined luxury.
Kauri Cliffs stands out globally thanks to its incredible clifftop setting, sweeping ocean views, and the rare combination of championship-level golf alongside a working farming estate. The course was designed by David Harman and established by American billionaire Julian Robertson, and it arguably put New Zealand golf firmly on the map as a bucket-list destination for serious players worldwide.
What makes Kauri Cliffs truly unique is its local geography — with near-constant ocean views, the majestic Cavalli Islands as a backdrop, and the peaceful solitude of a vast farming estate that doubles as grazing land for sheep and cattle.
The Kauri Cliffs layout is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course widely regarded as one of designer David Harman’s greatest achievements. Stretching 7,119 yards in total, it features five sets of tees to suit players of every ability, making the experience as demanding or as relaxed as you wish.
Standout holes include the par-5 4th, a risk-reward carry over a steep jungle ravine, and the 5th, which was recently redesigned by architect Rees Jones and transformed from a long uphill forced carry into a beautiful drop-shot par-3. The back nine plays along an elevated ridge, culminating in a spectacular cluster of ocean-view holes from the 14th to the 17th.
Harmon dedicated two years to making sure that the layout at Kauri Cliffs would achieve ‘overnight’ fame. If you want to score well it is imperative to play the right tees as with the multiple carries across gorges you can easily lose your weight in golf balls.
The course is situated closer to the ocean than its sister course at Cape Kidnappers, 500 miles to the south at Hawkes Bay. The vistas across the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett, and the Cavalli islands are closest at the 6th, 7th, and 14th – 17th holes as they are located closest to the coast in the routing.
Just as the course made headlines in the golf world the on-site Robinson Lodges were acclaimed for their luxurious amenities, spa, and appointments.
The fall of 2023 ushered in a new era as it was announced that the iconic, luxury hospitality brand, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, would take over management of their properties at Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, further elevating the experience for visitors.
Kauri Cliffs is located at 139 Tepene Tablelands Road, Matauri Bay. The nearest town is Kerikeri, approximately 25 minutes to the south. The main international gateway is Auckland International Airport (AKL), around four hours away by road. Connecting flights from Auckland to Kerikeri are available, and car hire is the most practical option for the final leg of the journey.
Green fees for international visitors should be confirmed directly with the club, as pricing varies by season and availability. Advanced booking is essential, tee times are strictly controlled, and walk-ins are highly unlikely to be accommodated unless the day’s schedule has significant gaps.
The club enforces a traditional dress code: men must wear collared shirts with sleeves, with tailored slacks or Bermuda-length shorts; women are required to wear golf-appropriate dresses, skirts, mid-length shorts, or shirts with either a collar or sleeves. The club is open to the public — staying at the lodge is not a requirement to play.
Several outstanding courses sit within striking distance and make natural companions for a wider New Zealand golf packages itinerary:
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Kauri Cliffs; Kauri Cliffs Golf Course
Kauri Cliffs, 139 Tepene Tablelands Road, Matauri Bay 0478, Northland, New Zealand
Course opened 2000
Luxury lodge and golf course open most of the year with daily tee times.
Kauri Cliffs – 18 holes, par 72; David Harman design with multiple holes along clifftops overlooking the Bay of Islands and inland holes through native forest.
Luxury lodge with suites and cottages, spa, private beaches, hiking trails and on site dining.
Regularly ranked among the world’s top 100 courses and one of the premier luxury golf resorts in the Southern Hemisphere.
Local Northland courses; often combined with Cape Kidnappers and Te Arai Links.
