Golf in New Zealand
Queenstown has established itself as New Zealand’s undisputed golf capital, and the depth of what is on offer within a 20-minute drive of the town centre is genuinely remarkable. Four championship marquee courses, each with a distinct character and personality, sit side by side in one of the world’s most scenic regions. The quality of the turf throughout Queenstown’s courses is exceptional, a product of the region’s hardy alpine climate that allows the fine dwarf grasses favoured by golf architects to thrive year-round.
Whether you prefer the dramatic lakeside terrain of Jack’s Point, the sculpted grandeur of The Hills, the resort polish of Millbrook or the intimate charm of the Queenstown Golf Club peninsula, you can spend a full week in Queenstown and play genuinely different golf every single day.
Unlike much of Southeast Asia, Queenstown’s golf courses offer a cooler, more temperate experience, with spring and autumn delivering particularly spectacular conditions as the surrounding mountains shift between blossom and golden foliage. Queenstown also hosts the New Zealand Open, cementing its reputation as the home of professional golf in this country.
New Zealand Recommendations
Queenstown is widely regarded as the adventure capital of the world, and the range of activities available away from the golf course is staggering. The Shotover River offers some of the most thrilling jet boating in the Southern Hemisphere, while the world’s first commercial bungy jump at the iconic Kawarau Bridge remains a rite of passage for visitors.
For those who prefer their thrills at a slower pace, the Skyline Gondola carries passengers 450 metres up to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, with the Stratosfare Restaurant offering a memorable dining experience at the summit. The Gibbston Valley wine region, a short drive from Queenstown through dramatic canyon country, is home to some of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir, and most wineries offer cellar door tastings in spectacular surroundings.
The historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown, just 20 minutes from Queenstown, is among the most charming villages in New Zealand, particularly in autumn when its tree-lined streets turn vivid gold and red. For those wanting to venture further afield, a day trip to Milford Sound, widely regarded as the eighth wonder of the natural world, is an unforgettable addition to any Queenstown itinerary.
Add world-class dining, adventure activities, Gibbston Valley wineries, day trips to Milford Sound and some of the most dramatic scenery on earth, and New Zealand delivers a golf holiday that is impossible to forget.
Must See in Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu and the Skyline Gondola
Lake Wakatipu is the beating heart of Queenstown, a vast glacial lake stretching 80 kilometres through the Southern Alps and framing virtually every view in town. The lakefront is the natural starting point for any visit, with the boardwalk promenade offering easy strolling alongside cafes, restaurants and the historic piers where jet boats depart throughout the day. For the definitive Queenstown panorama, the Skyline Gondola rises 450 metres to Bob’s Peak in under ten minutes, revealing a sweeping 360-degree view across the town, the lake and the Remarkables mountain range that is breathtaking in every season.
Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley
Just 20 minutes from Queenstown and sitting almost in the shadow of the golf courses you will be playing, the historic gold-rush town of Arrowtown is one of the most visited and best-loved villages in New Zealand. Its tree-lined main street is flanked by original 19th-century stone buildings now housing boutique shops, excellent cafes and the award-winning Lakes District Museum, which brings the region’s gold-mining heritage vividly to life. In autumn, Arrowtown is simply one of the most beautiful places in the Southern Hemisphere. From Arrowtown, the Gibbston Valley wine region winds through dramatic schist-rock canyon country along the Kawarau River gorge, home to a cluster of acclaimed wineries producing the Central Otago Pinot Noir that has put this region firmly on the international wine map.
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