Tee Off in Total Luxury: The Best Stay & Play Golf Escapes in New Zealand & Australia

Luxury golf in the South Pacific is a calibre of golf where you tee off above crashing Pacific swells, trade your scorecard in for a long lunch and a local pinot, and even the non-golfer is plotting their return from the infinity pool before you’ve finished the back nine.

From clifftop courses carved into the wild edges of New Zealand to sun-soaked fairways along Australia’s coast, these South Pacific stay and play golf packages are worth the journey. Each pairs world-class golf with seriously sensational places to stay - because out here, the experience doesn’t end at the 18th hole.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay

Clifftop fairways that rival the world’s best, exceptional food and wine, and a setting so beautiful it almost distracts from your swing.

If visual drama is what you’re after, Cape Kidnappers golf won’t disappoint. Designed by Tom Doak and ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses worldwide, this is a layout that quite literally stops you in your tracks - rolling fairways giving way to sheer drops, deep ravines, and greens clinging to the edge of the Pacific.

Set atop a vast, windswept peninsula, this five-star golf resort captures the pure majesty of rural New Zealand. Beyond the course, it’s a deeply immersive escape; native birdlife thrives within the Cape Sanctuary, trails wind through hills and gullies, and your choice of local world-class wineries is endless. 

The lodge offers some of the most sought-after luxury accommodation in Hawke’s Bay, blending elevated farmhouse design with incredible facilities. Dining offers local bounty and draws on the region’s reputation as one of the world’s great wine capitals, while the spa provides a restorative counterpoint to a day on the course.

Beyond the fairway: Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s most rewarding regions to explore. Hop between long vineyard lunches and the art deco charm of nearby Napier.

Te Arai Links, Northland

Two world-class courses in one destination, a spectacular coastal setting, and just enough to keep non-golfers very happy.

Just 75 minutes north of Auckland, Te Arai Links feels like stepping into another world. Set along a pristine stretch of coastline, this striking golf resort is home to two world top 100 links courses, both shaped by towering sand dunes and uninterrupted ocean views - fast fairways, shifting coastal winds, and a landscape that feels almost untouched. 

While it’s no surprise Te Arai Links has quickly become one of the most sought-after destinations for stay and play golf packages in New Zealand, it’s not just about the golf. Between rounds, there’s mountain biking, tennis, pickleball, water sports, or simply long afternoons on one of the country’s most beautiful white sand beaches.

Accommodation is chic and understated, with ocean-view cottages designed to sit beautifully within the landscape, this is luxury accommodation that lets the setting do the talking.

Beyond the fairway: Northland’s coastline is blissfully under the radar. Empty beaches, crystal-clear water, and a delightfully slower pace. 

Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, Northland

World-class clifftop golf, cultural depth, and classic luxury.

A true icon, the multi-award-winning Kauri Cliffs golf course has long set the benchmark. Designed by David Harman and stretched across rugged coastline, it’s as challenging as it is mesmerising. Fifteen holes play out with panoramic Pacific views, six of which sit dramatically on the cliff’s edge.

But what sets this place apart is its depth of experience. Beyond the fairways, this is Northland in all its natural beauty - fishing from the rocks, wandering beaches scattered with tua tua and pipi shells, and engaging with Māori culture through grounded experiences.

Kauri Cliffs accommodation is rustic chic at its finest. Private suites offer complete seclusion and uninterrupted views across land and sea. Wellness is integrated throughout, from forest bathing beneath native trees to oceanside meditation, while the spa and three private beaches offer ample reason to slow down.

Dining doesn’t disappoint, with plenty of local produce and unforgettable experiences - none more so than a beachside dinner at Pink Beach, where the setting does as much work as the menu.

Beyond the fairway: This stretch of Northland is rich in natural beauty and heritage - quiet beaches, native forest, and rich Maori culture. 

Homestead Bay, Queenstown

A luxury private villa with front-row access to one of New Zealand’s most spectacular golf courses.

Set on the edge of the Wakatipu Basin, Homestead Bay offers a different take on the classic stay and play - one that swaps resort living for complete privacy, without compromising on proximity to world-class golf. Just minutes from Jack’s Point Golf Course, guests are perfectly placed to tee off against a backdrop of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.

The course itself is nothing short of extraordinary. Carved into the natural landscape, Jack’s Point is known for its dramatic elevation changes, rugged schist outcrops, and lake-edge fairways - a layout that’s as visually stimulating as it is rewarding to play.

Homestead Bay is Lodge-level in scale, designed for large groups who want space to spread out and settle in. Expansive living areas, multiple wings, and thoughtful design details make it as suited to post-round entertaining as it is to slow mornings with coffee overlooking the lake.

This is luxury accommodation in Queenstown done villa style - less about shared facilities, more about having it all to yourselves.

Beyond the fairway:

Queenstown is an adventure capital for a reason, with plenty of high-octane experiences on offer from jet boating to bungy jumping. Don’t miss wine tasting in Gibbston Valley, exploring quaint Arrowtown, or simply soaking up those lake and mountain views.

qualia, Hamilton Island

World-class golf and barefoot luxury, set within one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes.

On the northern tip of Hamilton Island, qualia delivers a masterclass in understated Australian luxury. Framed by the Great Barrier Reef and overlooking the Coral Sea, it’s a place designed for complete switch-off.

The golf offering lies just offshore and getting there is half the fun. A short boat or helicopter ride takes you to Hamilton Island Golf Club, Australia’s only championship course on its own island. Designed by Peter Thomson, it’s a spectacular course where every hole comes with a sparkling ocean view.

Back at qualia, the rhythm slows right down - in the best way. Private plunge pools, intuitive service, and exceptional dining create a stay that epitomises barefoot luxury from start to finish.

For the non-golfers in the party, this is where qualia truly shines - spa treatments, reef experiences, and long, languid afternoons by the water.

Beyond the fairway: The Whitsundays need no introduction - sailing, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or lazy days drifting between white sand beaches and turquoise water.

Dancing on Moonlight, North Canterbury

The ultimate private stay and play experience: a personal golf course and a luxury villa that is entirely yours.

For those seeking total privacy, Dancing on Moonlight offers an experience unlike any traditional golf resort. Situated north of Christchurch in Canterbury, this 200-acre estate provides complete seclusion from everyday life in New Zealand. With its own private 9-hole golf course, guests can tee off without a single distraction - perfect for avid golfers or anyone craving a more intimate, self-contained escape.

The Hampton-inspired estate invites guests to immerse themselves in its lush gardens, cozy up by outdoor fires, soak in the hot tub under the stars, or spectate at the world-class horse training facility. Whether enjoying a round of golf, a game of tennis, or simply relaxing in the luxury of the lodge, every element is designed to offer freedom, serenity, and unparalleled privacy.

Beyond the fairway: While the estate has everything you could wish for (and more), North Canterbury’s natural beauty and nearby wine regions await if you do want to explore. Rolling hills, boutique wineries, and charming country towns make the area worth a wander.