From rolling coastal greens and fairways with ocean views to country courses where kangaroos will keep you company, NSW is a paradise for golf enthusiasts. Here’s where to tee off, whatever corner of the state you’re in.
May 2024 -
5
min readHunter Valley
Designed by industry legend Greg Norman, the Ellerston Golf Course has been voted as one of the best golf courses in the world, located in the secluded high country of the Upper Hunter. This course is ultra-exclusive, and you can only play if you’re a member or a guest. So find someone with connections! Greg Norman is also behind The Vintage Golf Club in Rothbury. As you’d expect, the 18 holes are stunning, meandering through undisturbed wetlands, trickling creeks, eucalypt forests, Beggars Bridge and Bimbadgen Vineyards.
Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club, Pokolbin
Other great Hunter courses to play include the Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club, a par-72, 18-hole course located on its namesake resort. You can also tee off at the 188-hole Hunter Valley Golf Club, set amid a spectacular backdrop of vineyards and rugged mountain ranges, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.
Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, Pokolbin
South Coast
Try one of the enchanting courses on the South Coast, such as the Gerringong Golf Club near Kiama, for breathtaking beach and ocean views. You’re surrounded by national parks, so when you’re done on the greens you can lace up your walking shoes and explore native forest.
Gerringong Golf Club, Gerringong
Narooma Golf Club is home to the famous ‘Hogan’s Hole’ – the spectacular third hole of the course, where players hit the ball over the ocean to a clifftop green. But let’s be honest – views dazzle wherever you are on the course. Plus, there’s a great clubhouse to retire to after your round.
Head over to Mollymook Golf Club and you have two courses to choose from. The estate’s Beachside club is a big hit – pun intended – for its views over Mollymook Beach, with the nine-hole fairway ambling around the stunning Collers Beach Inlet. Meanwhile, the Hilltop Golf Course is a championship 18-hole course of bushland beauty – you can still hear the waves of the beach, but also have the challenge of numerous rolling hills.
Mollymook Golf Club, Jervis Bay and Shoalhaven
North Coast
On the North Coast near Coffs Harbour is the Bonville Golf Resort, considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Further south on the Central Coast, you’ll find the Kooindah Waters Golf Club and the nearby beachfront Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, where guests can play on a links-style golf course.
While many people visit Byron Bay for the surf, many more descend to tee off at the Byron Bay Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course set along the coast – the beautifully landscaped fairways offer ocean views from several holes. Nearby, the Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Golf Club offers the best of both worlds – great golfing in one of Australia’s most idyllic holiday destinations. At the 19th hole, the Balcony Bar has spectacular views over the course.
Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club, Magenta
Blue Mountains
West of Sydney is the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, where the Fairmont Resort adjoins the Leura Golf Club, a unique, challenging and (above all) beautiful 18 holes carved along clifftop and with well-manicured fairways. The 14th hole has particularly dazzling views over the Jamison Valley.
Leura Golf Club, Leura
Lined with colourful parkland everchanging with the seasons, the Blackheath Golf and Community Club is one of the Mountains’ most picturesque courses. Enjoy stunning views as you exercise before retiring to the clubhouse restaurant and bar or relaxing on the deck with a meal from the bistro.
Established in 1913, the Wentworth Falls Country Club golf course was designed by renowned Australian designer Dan Souter. This tree-lined, prestigious estate offers impeccable fairways and putting greens. Enjoy the view or relax with a drink and meal at the modern clubhouse.
Springwood Country Club is a picturesque course boasting panoramic views to Sydney. Relax afterwards in the family-friendly environment of the popular Orchard Brasserie.
Blackheath Golf and Community Club, Blackheath
Snowy Mountains
Fresh mountain air, alpine scenery, ample wildlife… all the ingredients you need for a great day of golfing await in NSW’s high country. Thredbo Golf Course is the highest of its kind in the country. The nine-hole course runs alongside the Thredbo River and around the base of the mountain, offering outstanding alpine playing conditions and beautiful views. Dotted with wildflowers and lined with eucalyptus, it has a little bit of everything, providing even seasoned golfers with unique challenges such as the Snake Pit and Wally Wombat’s House.
The Cooma Golf Club, meanwhile, offers 18 holes with bent greens and top-class fairways, teeming with abundant birdlife and other wildlife. Enjoy magnificent views across the rolling plains of the Monaro and out towards the mountains from the clubhouse and the course itself.
Nestled in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Tumut Golf Club is a beautiful country golf course replete with pro-shop services managed by a PGA-qualified professional, plus a warm and friendly clubhouse where you can enjoy a meal and a drink after your round.
Cooma Golf Club, Cooma - Credit: Cooma Golf Club
The Murray
Another popular destination for memorable golfing experiences is The Murray, where you can play along the iconic Murray River from Albury to Wentworth and in charming towns in between. The natural beauty of the Murray, with towering red gums and abundant wildlife, invites serenity. Case in point the Clubarham Golf Resort, nestled amid natural bush surrounds with some great greens and challenging bunkers – this 18-hole championship golf course was designed by noted golf course architect Ross Watson.
Barham Golf Course, Barham - Credit: Barham Golf Course
Howlong Golf Resort is a challenging 18-hole championship course, considered one of the best all-weather courses in the area. There is a resort on site with a pool, tennis courts, bowls and croquet courts, as well as two restaurants. It hosts the popular Top of the Murray annual tournament along with nearby Corowa Golf Club and Thurgoona Golf Course. The former is a 27-hole golf course and the proud home of Marcus Fraser.
Corowa Golf Club, Corowa - Credit: Corowa Golf Club
Set on the NSW banks of the Murray River, Cobram Barooga Golf Club has two championship-standard golf courses, 18 holes of mini golf, four state-of-the-art golf simulators, and now its own PGA Tour of Australasia event. Meanwhile, the Rich River Golf Club in Moama offers great stay-and-play packages, so you can enjoy the immaculately groomed greens for longer.
With red river gums and native fauna as a backdrop, the three unique golf courses at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort are not to be missed. With a combined 45 holes to play, you will want to spend a few days at the club's resort, which offers activities for the whole family including a boutique cinema, tennis courts, swimming pool, health and fitness centre, award-winning lawn bowling greens and croquet, and an indoor kids’ activity area.
Murray Downs Golf and Country Club is considered one of the best golf courses in The Murray. Located on the river, the award-winning 18-hole championship golf course has excellent facilities including the Clubhouse, which is open year-round and offers a variety of activities.
Rich River Golf Club, Moama
The Riverina
Griffith Golf Club is one of Riverina’s top golf courses with 18 holes of grass greens and kikuyu fairways. Despite only two bunkers and no water holes, it is a very challenging course. So bring your stamina!
Located on the shores of Lake Albert and included in Australia’s top 100 country courses, Wagga Wagga Country Club is a beautiful tree-lined course with immaculate bent greens and all-weather fairways, offering an outstanding 18-hole championship course. There’s on-site accommodation as well, if you can’t bear to leave (or have an early tee-off time).
Wagga Wagga Country Club, Wagga Wagga - Credit: Wagga Wagga Country Club
Country & Outback NSW
Two hours’ drive southwest of Sydney in the pretty Southern Highlands is Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club. The Scottish links-style course has large rolling greens, natural waterways and wide fairways, perfect for golfers of all levels. Peppers Manor House is located right next door, so you can indulge in stay-and-play packages when you visit this pretty part of the state.
There are plenty of other places to tee off in the highlands, including the Bowral Golf Club, Highlands Golf Club, Moss Vale Golf Club and Kangaroo Valley Golf and Country Resort – the latter has accommodation and plenty of other attractions for when you’re done on the greens. Country NSW never fails to dazzle, so golfers can expect plenty of distractions in the form of wildlife and native forest, particularly pretty at sunset.
Highlands Golf Club, Mittagong - Credit: Highlands Golf Club
In Dubbo, Dubbo Golf Club is a 27-hole championship golf course, where you’re likely to see kangaroos, wallabies, possums, echidna and native birds while you enjoy a swing. You can also tee off at the Broken Hill Golf Course, with 18 beautiful holes set against the contrasting backdrop of outback NSW. You will never be alone during your round – look out for kangaroos, emus, turtles and even the occasional echidna.
Dubbo Golf Club, Dubbo - Credit: Dubbo Golf Club
