New Zealand’s North Island is a study in contrasts: rugged coastlines give way to verdant farmland, and volcanic panoramas frame championship fairways. For golf travellers seeking world-class design, dramatic scenery, and unforgettable experiences, this region delivers on every front. In this guide, we journey from Hawke’s Bay to Auckland, uncovering the five courses that define North Island golf. We wrap up with recommended hotels, restaurants, vineyards, and bars to ensure your trip off the course is as memorable as the rounds themselves.
1. Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Perched high above the Pacific Ocean in Hawke’s Bay, Cape Kidnappers commands attention from the very first tee. Designed by Tom Doak, this course challenges players with cliff-top holes that tumble toward the sea, undulating fairways framed by native gorse, and dramatic elevation changes. The signature 15th hole, known as “Pirate’s Plank,” requires both courage and precision as you stand mere feet from the cliff’s edge.
Playing Cape Kidnappers is as much about the journey as the golf. A scenic drive along gravel roads leads to a stylish lodge, where guests unload their clubs and prepare for a round that winds through farmland and coastal ridges. After your putt on the 18th green, head to the clubhouse terrace to toast the ocean views with a glass of local Chardonnay. For full details, see the Cape Kidnappers course page.
2. Kauri Cliffs Golf Course
Just three hours north, the Rosewood Kauri Cliffs estate unfolds across headlands overlooking the Pacific. Robert Trent Jones Jr. crafted a routing that dips into coves, weaves through native bush, and offers 15 holes with ocean vistas. The par-4 5th is a standout: players must navigate a forced march over a ridge, then negotiate a narrow fairway with the sea on one side and a fern-covered bluff on the other.
After your round, the lodge at Kauri Cliffs beckons with rustic elegance and spacious cottages. Lounge by the infinity pool or stroll to the nearby Treetops restaurant for a farm-to-table feast. The experience here marries the raw beauty of Northland with the comforts of world-class hospitality. Explore more on the Kauri Cliffs course page.
3. Tara Iti Golf Club
Tara Iti may be the youngest course on our list, but its pedigree rivals any storied layout. Engineers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw sculpted a course that complements its windswept dunes, creating strategic bunkers and false fronts that test every shot. The finishing stretch along the Pacific—the “Final Four”—features generous landing zones that open into expansive up-and-down challenges, making for a thrilling conclusion.
Membership here is exclusive, but visitors can secure tee times through select tour partners or stay on-site at the adjacent lodge. After your round, the Tara Iti clubhouse offers bespoke service and a curated bar featuring New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir. To plan your visit, check the Tara Iti course page.
4. Millbrook Resort (Remarkables Course)
Shifting to the volcanic heart of the island, Millbrook Resort in Queenstown presents two championship courses, with the Remarkables Course leading the way. Designed by Sir Bob Charles and Stephen Kay, this layout exploits an alpine amphitheatre setting, with holes that play beneath towering peaks and alongside native tussock. The par-3 6th, set against the Remarkables mountain range, is as photogenic as it is demanding.
Millbrook’s dual courses allow travellers to mix and match experiences—pair a morning on the Remarkables Course with an afternoon on the Coronet Course, which navigates an undulating valley floor. Accommodation options range from luxury villas to cozy apartments, all within easy reach of Queenstown’s vibrant dining scene. Discover tee times and stay packages on the Millbrook Resort course page.
5. Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary
Closer to Taupō, Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary offers a unique blend of golf and conservation. The John Scott design meanders through geothermal landscapes, with natural hot springs visible in the distance and native birdlife flitting through the sanctuary. Strategic ponds and streams demand precise iron play, while the finishing hole rambles alongside crystal-clear wetlands.
Here, every round feels connected to the earth beneath your feet. Post-round, indulge in a soak at the Wairakei Terraces spa, where silica-rich pools promise relaxation. For green-fee details and eco-friendly stay options, visit the Wairakei course page.
Where to Stay, Dine, and Unwind
Your North Island golf adventure deserves equally inspired accommodations and dining. Below are our top picks:
- Hotels & Lodges: Begin in Hawke’s Bay at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, where private cottages overlook cliffs and vineyards. Near Kauri Cliffs, the lodge’s ocean-view suites redefine luxury in a natural setting. In Queenstown, Millbrook Resort’s villas offer ski-chalet charm with golf-course views, while the boutique Hotel St Mortiz blends alpine elegance with urban convenience. For a geothermal twist, Wairakei Resort & Spa provides lakeside lodges and access to rejuvenating hot-spring pools.
- Restaurants & Bars: Hawke’s Bay is celebrated for its wineries—tuck into a degustation at Craggy Range or sip Syrah among the vines at Elephant Hill. At Kauri Cliffs, Treetops Restaurant elevates local produce with five-star finesse. Queenstown’s downtown precinct boasts eateries such as Botswana Butchery for prime cuts and Rātā for Pacific-inspired cuisine. Near Taupō, Bistro Lago’s lakeside setting makes every meal memorable.
- Vineyards & Wineries: Consider a day trip through Gimblett Gravels to sample Merlot-Merlot blends at Te Mata Estate. Martinborough, just south of Wellington, is famed for its boutique Pinot Noirs—visit Palliser Estate for an intimate tasting. In Auckland, West Coast vineyards like Soljans Estate and Brick Bay pair scenic views with crisp Chardonnay and Cabernets.
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