The Grand Golf Tour of New Zealand
Twenty-two days the length of New Zealand: ten rounds from the far north to Queenstown, with the geysers, the wine and the mountains in between.
Why this trip
The trip of a lifetime for a golfer: the coast and volcanic country of the North Island, then the mountains and lakes of the South, with ten of the best courses in the country along the way.
You drive yourselves at an easy pace, with time off the course for Rotorua, the wineries, the capital and the stars over Lake Tekapo.
The courses
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.
Days 1 to 2
Auckland
Arrive and collect your hire car. Titirangi, Alister MacKenzie's course, on day 2.
Day Three
Te Arai Links
North up the coast to the links among the dunes at Te Arai.
Days 4 to 5
The Bay of Islands
On to the Bay of Islands, and Kauri Cliffs on the clifftops above Matauri Bay.
Day Six
Rotorua
Geysers, mud pools and Māori culture.
Days 7 to 8
Taupō
The Kinloch Club and Wairakei, with the lake and the hot springs.
Days 9 to 10
Hawke's Bay
Cape Kidnappers, and a day in the wineries.
Day Eleven
Paraparaumu Beach and Wellington
The links on the Kāpiti Coast, then a night in the capital.
Day Twelve
To the South Island
Across Cook Strait by ferry, or a short flight to Christchurch.
Days 13 to 14
Christchurch
The Garden City, and a round at Clearwater.
Days 15 to 16
Lake Tekapo
Across the high country to the lake, with a night of stargazing.
Days 17 to 21
Queenstown
Jack's Point and Millbrook, a day at Milford Sound, and time on the lake.
Day 22
Home
Return the car at Queenstown airport for your flight.
Make it your own
Shorten it to two weeks, add Terrace Downs or Arrowtown, or swap the self-drive for a driver.
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 Cook Strait ferry can be arranged for you; any domestic flight 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
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.
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.
Depending on your arrangements, our trusted local team is there to deliver your trip and help with anything you need while you're away.
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.
Common questions
The Grand Golf Tour of New Zealand
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Join the FamilyYour 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.
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/