Golfing the North Island
Golfing the North Island
A veritable tour de force through one of the most stunning places on the planet — the North Island of New Zealand. Start at Kauri Cliffs (World Top 50) in the Bay of Islands, drive south through Auckland and the geothermal heart of Lake Taupo, pause at the cliffs of Hawke's Bay for Cape Kidnappers, and finish in Wellington — Lonely Planet's "coolest little capital."
Six rounds, five stops, sublime wine tastings, a Rotorua heritage tour, and a rental SUV for the full self-drive experience. Dinners at Kauri Cliffs and after the Hawke's Bay wine tour are included.
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Kauri Cliffs (World #39)"Pebble Beach on steroids" — Bay of Islands.
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Cape Kidnappers (Doak)World Top 50 cliff-top drama.
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Kinloch (Nicklaus)NZ's only Nicklaus on Lake Taupo.
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Royal Wellington7× NZ Open host — first Royal Charter.
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Rotorua Heritage TourMaori culture & geothermal wonders.
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Self-Drive SUVRental car with full insurance included.
Day by Day
A suggested flow for your trip. Every day is flexible — extend, shorten, or swap any element based on your preferences.
North to Kauri Cliffs
Arrive at Auckland. Drive north (3.5 hours) or charter flight (45 minutes) to The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs — a Relais & Châteaux hideaway in the Bay of Islands. Dinner at the lodge tonight (included daily).
World #39 — Pebble Beach on Steroids
Kauri Cliffs — ranked #39 in the World Top 100. Fifteen holes with ocean views, six directly on the cliff edge. Par 72, 7,119 yards. Afternoon at the lodge or walk to the private beach.
South to the City
Drive south to Auckland (3.5 hours). Check in to Heritage Auckland in the city centre. Half-day Auckland tour (included) — Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour, Queen Street.
Auckland Inland Links
Windross Farm — 30 minutes south of the city. Inland links-style. Par 72, 6,112 yards. Drive onward to Lake Taupo (3 hours). Check in to Hilton Lake Taupo.
Nicklaus on the Lake
The Kinloch Club — Jack Nicklaus Signature, Lake Taupo. Par 72, 6,519 yards. Afternoon: full-day Rotorua Heritage Tour (included) — Maori culture, Te Puia geothermal park, and hot springs.
Golf Inside a Sanctuary
Wairakei — a course inside a predator-proof native bird sanctuary near Taupo. Par 72, 7,065 yards. Drive south-east to Hawke's Bay (2 hours). Check in to Porters Boutique Hotel.
Cliff-Top Masterpiece
Cape Kidnappers — Tom Doak's cliff-top World Top 50 design. Par 71, 7,119 yards. Afternoon: Hawke's Bay vineyard tour (included) — Craggy Range, Elephant Hill wineries. Dinner included.
South to the Capital
Drive south to Wellington (4.5 hours via the Wairarapa). Check in to InterContinental Wellington. Afternoon: Martinborough wine & food tour (included) — Pinot Noir country.
7× NZ Open Host
Royal Wellington — first club in NZ to receive Royal Charter. 7× NZ Open host. Par 72, 6,321 yards. Afternoon: explore Wellington — Te Papa Museum, cable car, Cuba Street.
Ka kite anō
Full breakfast, then drive to Wellington Airport or continue with a South Island add-on.
The Courses You'll Play
Luxury Accommodation
New Zealand Attractions
Geothermal parks, vineyards, and Maori heritage.
What's Included
Transparent from the start — here's exactly what you get with this itinerary.
Your Package
- 6 rounds on North Island's finest
- 9 nights across 5 hotels
- Daily breakfast
- Daily dinner at Kauri Cliffs
- Dinner after Hawke's Bay wine tour
- Half-day Auckland tour
- Full-day Rotorua Heritage Tour
Experiences & Extras
- Hawke's Bay vineyard tour
- Martinborough wine & food tour
- Rental SUV with full insurance
- 24/7 golf hotline
- Local knowledge & support
- All taxes & service charges
The Gallery
Ready for Your New Zealand Adventure?
Every itinerary is fully customizable. Change hotels, swap courses, extend your stay, or combine with another region. Tell us what you want — we'll build it.