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The Best of New Zealand Golf
New Zealand · Golf · On request

The Best of New Zealand Golf

Both islands in eight days, with six rounds on some of the best courses in the country: the dunes of Te Arai, the lake at Kinloch, the clifftops at Cape Kidnappers and the mountains of Queenstown.

8 days
Sample length
6 rounds
Four in the North Island, two in Queenstown
October to April
New Zealand's spring to autumn
Self-drive
Hire car included

Why this trip

The shortest way to see the best of New Zealand golf: the links at Te Arai, the lake and the clifftops in the North Island, then the mountains of Queenstown.

You drive yourselves between the stops, through some of the finest scenery in the world, with the food and wine of each region along the way.

The courses

Te Arai Links, North Course

Te Arai Links, North Course

Tom Doak · links · north of Auckland

A par-71 walking links by Tom Doak that starts and finishes on the ocean, with exposed dunes, fast fescue and the Pacific in view. About 75 minutes north of Auckland.

Te Arai Links, South Course

Te Arai Links, South Course

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw · links

Coore and Crenshaw's links among the dunes on the same stretch of coast: the second of Te Arai's two championship courses.

The Kinloch Club

The Kinloch Club

Jack Nicklaus · Lake Taupō

Jack Nicklaus's first course in New Zealand, on rolling land above Lake Taupō. It plays like the great links of Scotland and Ireland: firm, open and at the mercy of the wind.

Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers

Tom Doak · Hawke's Bay

Tom Doak's clifftop course on the Cape Kidnappers peninsula, with fingers of fairway running out to sheer drops above the Pacific. One of the most famous golf courses in the southern hemisphere, with a luxury lodge on the estate.

Jack's Point

Jack's Point

Queenstown · Lake Wakatipu

Set at the foot of the Remarkables on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, with rocky outcrops and tussock between the holes. Often named among the best courses in the country.

Millbrook Resort

Millbrook Resort

Arrowtown · home of the New Zealand Open

A resort course in a valley ringed by mountains near Arrowtown, and home of the New Zealand Open.

Day by day

A sample itinerary, to show how the trip fits together. Every day can be changed, swapped or dropped: we build it around your group.

The Kinloch Club
To Queenstown and Jack's Point

Day One

Arrive in Auckland

Collect your hire car and spend the day in New Zealand's largest city.

Day Two

Te Arai Links, North Course

North up the coast for a first round on Tom Doak's links, with the dunes and the Pacific all around.

Day Three

Te Arai Links, South Course

Coore and Crenshaw's links, then south towards Lake Taupō.

Day Four

The Kinloch Club

Jack Nicklaus's links above the lake, then on to Hawke's Bay.

Day Five

Cape Kidnappers

Tom Doak's clifftop course above the Pacific, near Napier.

Day Six

To Queenstown and Jack's Point

Drop the car in Napier and fly to Queenstown (your own flight: we plan the day around it). Pick up a car there for a round at Jack's Point, beneath the mountains and beside the lake.

Day Seven

Millbrook

A last round on Millbrook's Coronet course, in the valley near Arrowtown.

Day Eight

Home

A slow morning, then return the car and fly out of Queenstown.

Make it your own

Add Wairakei, Arrowtown or Kauri Cliffs, or stretch it to ten days.

What's included

Included

  • Hotels. Hotels chosen for your group, at the level you want: four-star or luxury lodges.
  • Golf. Green fees, with tee times booked for you.
  • Getting around. A hire car for your whole stay: New Zealand drives on the left, the roads are good and the drives between the courses are part of the holiday. A driver for the group on request. The flight to Queenstown you book yourself, and we plan around it.

Not included

  • Flights, international and domestic: book your own and we plan the trip around them. Meals and drinks unless stated
  • travel insurance
  • personal spending

Good to know

When to go

October to April, New Zealand's spring to autumn. December to February is high summer and the busiest time.

Getting there

There are no direct flights from London: most routes stop once in Asia or the Middle East, about 25 to 27 hours in all. Auckland is the main gateway; Christchurch and Queenstown also take international flights.

Entry

British passport holders need no visa for a holiday, but must have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they fly. Check the GOV.UK travel advice before you travel.

Time difference

New Zealand is 11 to 13 hours ahead of the UK, depending on the time of year. Allow a day or two to get over the jet lag before the first round.

Queenstown in winter

Many of Queenstown's courses stay open from June to August, with snow on the mountains and lower green fees. It is cold, so we book afternoon tee times after the morning frost.

Bringing your clubs

New Zealand is strict about biosecurity: clean your clubs, shoes and bag before you fly, and declare them on arrival.

Add to any trip

Every trip can be extended before or after the golf:

Milford Sound

A cruise through the fiord past sheer cliffs and waterfalls, by road from Queenstown or Te Anau, or by small plane or helicopter.

Rotorua and Hobbiton

Geysers, mud pools and Māori culture, with the Hobbiton Movie Set close by.

The wine regions

Waiheke Island near Auckland, Hawke's Bay reds and Central Otago pinot noir.

The cricket

A Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington or Hagley Oval in Christchurch, built into the same trip.

Groups and societies

From two golfers to a whole society. Tell us your numbers and we plan the trip around them. Non-golfing partners are welcome: we plan their days too.

Booked with confidence

One contract, with us

Follow On Tours is the tour operator for your trip. You book with us and pay us: one contract, one point of contact from your first question to your flight home.

Your money is protected

We are a member of ABTOT, number 5718. If we were to become insolvent, ABTOT cover provides a refund if you have not yet travelled. This covers non-flight packages.

Our trusted team on the ground

Depending on your arrangements, our trusted local team is there to deliver your trip and help with anything you need while you're away.

How your booking is protected →

Build your trip

Build the Trip That's Actually Yours

Tell us who's travelling, when you'd like to go, how many rounds you want and how you'd like to stay. We'll come back with a tailored itinerary and quote.

Plan your trip in two steps

Step 1

Ask the concierge

Courses, the days, when to go, what’s included: ask anything. Information only; we never quote a price in chat.

Step 2

Build your enquiry

Party, dates, rounds, stay, extras: tell us exactly what you’re after.

Call us

Prefer to speak to someone? Call us and we’ll talk your trip through.

Book a consultation

Schedule a call at a time that suits you.

Book a Call

Common questions

The Best of New Zealand Golf

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Your financial protection

Follow On Tours Limited is a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust (ABTOT), membership number 5718, and holds bonds A60089 and A60090.

ABTOT — Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust — member 5718

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Follow On Tours Limited, membership number 5718, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Follow On Tours Limited.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made

You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/

Bond details and full terms of protection