North Island Adventure

✅ Play some of the World's Top 100 Golf Courses
✅ Stay in award-winning luxury accommodation
✅ Explore the world-class wines in Martinborough & Hawke's Bay
✅ Take in the scenery, EVERYWHERE

New Zealand is home to some of the world's best golf courses. Blessed with out-of-this-world scenery, sunny climes and a welcome that'll live long in the memory, a golfing adventure to New Zealand is at the top of most bucket lists.

Heading to the North Island, golfers are spoilt for choice when it comes to building out an unforgettable golf trip.

From the North of the North in the Bay of Islands is the prettiest of courses at Kauri Cliffs to the traditional links experience of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club near Wellington, The North Island offers a wide variety of golf courses and landscapes to explore.

Day 1
Arrive in Auckland, The City of Sails. Walk around the Viaduct, acclimatise, breathe in the fresh air and go to Altezano Brothers for one of the best coffees in this caffeinated hotspot.

Day 2
You're ready and waiting for the next part of your adventure. You're heading North to what many consider to be the most picturesque golf courses in the world, Kauri Cliffs. Need a pitstop, go to Charlie's in Matakana for a Gelato that is simply the best or for lunch, go to the excellent Leigh Eats near Goat Island Marine Reserve. Freshly caught fish from the bay below will be value-for-money that's hard to beat.

Amazed by the wonders of your travels to The Bay of Islands, you arrive at Kauri Cliffs for a well-earned rest. Hunker down, the beds are comfy and the views are a joy.

Day 3
Awake early, breathe it in. The views from your bedroom are simply out of this world. You'll make your way to breakfast, the coffee is perfect. You head to the driving range where even the off-line hits still feel straight. You play 18 at Kauri Cliffs, you club up on the 7th hole to carry to the water and you'll play further right than you think on the 17th to make sure you finish your round strongly.

Day 4
You awake rested once more. You say goodbye to Kauri Cliffs, the course that'll immediately go into your Top Golf Courses list. You head South in search of adventure. You're about to stumble across one of golf's most exciting new developments. Te Arai Links. Located along the Haukauri Gulf, expect views at every turn, five-star service and two golf courses that are almost impossible to describe.

You take dinner at Ric's, you opt for seafood and take your drinks onto the world's largest putting green. The sun sets and you're ready for a good night's rest ahead of what will be an amazing day on the course.

Day 5
It is all systems go. You've warmed up on the range, ironing out that push that has been creeping in and head to The North Course at Te Arai Links. Designed by Tom Doak, this course could be Pinehurst by the Sea. Dramatic slopes on greens are matched by incredible vistas that build and build as your round goes on. Hold the pose as you hit into the par-3 17th and make sure you get a photo. Keep it left on the 18th and walk off with a solid par, just make sure you club up into the green.

Day 6
Another glorious night's sleep just a few hundred metres from the crashing waves. Your mission today is to take on The South Course at Te Arai Links. Whilst just metres separate the courses, they're an entirely different proposition. Designed by Coore and Crenshaw, the course has a feel of Augusta National as you walk down the 2nd. La Moye as you play the 4th, Ballybunion the 5th, the list goes on but one thing is guaranteed, once your round is finished, you'll have some new courses adorning your top golf courses list.

Day 7
Your final morning at Te Arai, you stretch your legs and enjoy a final coffee before hitting the road. You head South to Auckland for a rest from golf, or play anything from Mangawhai to Waipu to Royal Auckland to Titirangi if you're still keen to swing.

Explore the city, look to Rosehip in Parnell for breakfast or lunch or Azabu in Ponsonby for dinner. A day of scenery and views awaits in the morning.

Day 8
As a fully-fledged Kiwi traveller now, you'll be enjoying a Flat White, low-tide of course, your travel takes you South towards the hot mud of Rotorua before finding your spot for the evening, Lake Taupo. Framed by Mount Ruapehu, the scenery is unforgettable.

Day 9
Amazed by the views, you head out to your next day on the course. This one is another that'll require the camera. Kinloch Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, is one that has a feeling of a links in St Andrews about it. Considered by Sir Bob Charles to be the best course in New Zealand, Kinloch is a test that rewards. Enjoy a local lager in the sumptuous clubhouse, take in the views, there aren't many like this from a 19th hole.

Day 10
Head to the acclaimed Pine-tree-lined Wairakei Resort for a round of course management. Expect bunkers and water hazards aplenty with tree-lined fairways that'd be right at home at the likes of Woburn. Finding the fairway is integral to scoring well here.

Day 11
Rested and well-golfed, you head East. The journey is scenic and the arrival at Cape Kidnappers an understated one. Cutely signposted with a wooden electric gate, you'll be buzzed in and start the 7km drive through winding Kiwi countryside to the luxury accommodation. The welcome is warm, the scenery to die for and the drink in the snug prior to dinner one that'll live long in the memory.

Day 12
The day has come. Your game is starting to peak. You wake early, excited by the prospect. You've hit some of your best shots on the range and after a hearty breakfast you're ready. You head out to the first tee at Cape Kidnappers. You start slowly before playing some of the best par-3's and 4's anywhere in the world. The views are incredible. The cliff tops are dramatic and your round begins to peak around the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. You've got a camera roll full of shots and swings that'd be good enough for any wallpaper.

You rest up for another fantastic dinner. You sample some Hawke's Bay Reds and spend the evening thinking about the golf holiday of a lifetime.

Day 13
A restful night's sleep is combined with an excellent breakfast. Your final views from the restaurant are of blue skies and the amazing cliffs of Cape Kidnappers. You pack up and head to Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, your final round. The course has a links feel to it, you'll hit some low running shots that'll continue to work into the green. This is the same course that Tiger Woods played The New Zealand Open at and struggled to make the impact. After your round, you'll head to Wellington.

Day 14
After staying overnight you head to the airport to catch your connecting flight home. A golf trip that'll last a lifetime with the only question being, when will you return.

The best time to visit New Zealand is during the summer months of December to March, which bring long, bright and sunny days and temperatures of 16°C to 24°C.

Average Daily High Temperatures

Jan-Mar

20°C - 24°C

Apr-Jun

16°C - 21°C

Jul-Sep

13°C - 17°C

Oct-Dec

17°C - 22°C

There are multiple international airports scattered across New Zealand, however for the top courses in the North Island, flying into Auckland will be the best option. So take a look at the key flight times and when the best time of year is to travel to New Zealand.

London to Auckland

24-26 hrs (indirect)

Destination Airport

Auckland Airport

High Season Dates

December - March

Auckland Airport to Kauri Cliffs

3.5 hrs