The land of the great white cloud
Thermal wonders, Maori Culture & golf

Many travellers combine their golfing holiday to both Australia and New Zealand. There are Trans Tasman flights connecting the two countries and you can fly to and from either way.

If you wish to golf both the north & south islands, you should plan on a two to three week holiday.

For mine - upon arrival and a day's rest in Auckland - I would take the trek north to the 90 mile beach and Kerikeri where there are two fine golf courses, as well as the remarkable Kauri Cliffs and Gulf Harbour on your return.

Play awhile in Auckland for there are a number of "must play" courses in the City of Sails.

Then its fly or drive to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and the jewel of the north, Wairakei at Lake Taupo.

If you are flying further south, its off to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. If you are driving, the way to break your 6 plus hour trip to Wellington is to travel south- east via Hawkes Bay to play Cape Kidnappers and other worthwhile golf in this region.

There is very good golf to be had in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast where you will find the fabulous Paraparaumu links.

Most flyers trip direct to Wellington but I plan many itineraries where the drivers cross Cook Strait via the Ocean Ferry then drive or travel by scenic rail to Christchurch.

Christchurch, like Auckland, offers superb golf. You need four days to play the top rated courses.

If you visit the South Island, you must fly to Queenstown from Christchurch. This is the holiday wonderland of New Zealand and you have two wonderful Queenstown golf courses to play.

Many people don't make the trip further south from Queenstown, I believe it is a mistake not to! Grab a rental car at Queenstown and drive south to Invercargill, returning to Christchurch via Dunedin, Oamaru & Timaru where you can play your hands off without hardly a dent in your wallet.

To pacify and please the non golfers, the scenic Tranz Alpine rail trip is a must, across the formidable mountains via Arthur's Pass to Hokitika, then to see the Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Stay overnight to return to Picton via Greymouth, Nelson and Blenheim before your return to Wellington. If your departing flight is from Christchurch,  then simply join the coach trip to the West Coast from Picton then travel to Christchurch via the Tranz Alpine Rail before your Christchurch, Queenstown and Southland golf holiday excursions.

I have missed New Plymouth and the highly rated New Plymouth Golf club (Ngamotu). When travelling south from Auckland, you will need to decide whether you intend to travel down the east or west coast as Ngamotu is on the west coast and Hawkes Bay is to the east.

Kiwi Golf & Vacation New Zealand have combined. Please go to "Golf & Leisure." You will see an "Enquiries & Quotation link on every Golf & Leisure page. Click link to request your custom planned, competitively priced, budget, deluxe or premium golf & leisure itinerary.

Kelly Robertson
Senior Golf Professional