Australia’s golf scene is as big and varied as the continent itself. It has everything from world-class championship links carved into dramatic oceanfront cliffs to classic parkland layouts in the middle of big cities. The best golf courses aren’t just places to play; they’re also natural wonders, architectural masterpieces and cultural landmarks that challenge and inspire golfers of all skill levels. Australia’s love for golf is shown in the way the game is played, the beautiful scenery and the relaxed spirit of the game. From the windswept tips of remote islands to the manicured fairways of historic metropolitan clubs, Australian golf is an unforgettable mix of all three.
Australia’s terrain and climate significantly influence the way people play golf there. The famous “sandbelt” area around Melbourne, which is known for its sandy base and smart bunkering, has some of the best golf courses in the world. At the same time, the modern era has seen the rise of spectacular remote destination golf, where courses are built to fit in with rough coastal dunes, giving players a pure, windswept links experience. In big cities, clubs find a balance between tradition and accessibility by offering classic golf tests and often allowing the public to play, which helps build strong community ties. This variety means that a golf trip across Australia can include very different experiences, each of which will require you to be flexible and creative and enjoy the scenery.
How Australia’s golf identity has changed over time
A mix of old and new architecture has helped Australia become a top golf destination around the world. The work of famous designers in the early 20th century, such as Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who worked on Royal Melbourne, set the standard for strategic, ground-game-focused design that still defines the country’s most famous layouts. Over the past few decades, a new group of architects and developers has used Australia’s stunning, undeveloped coastlines to build world-class golf courses that are on many people’s bucket lists. These courses have drawn golfers from all over the world and put Australia firmly on the global golf map.
A culture of easy access to high-quality public and resort areas supports this growth. In Australia, unlike in many other countries, the best courses are open to all golfers, either as daily-fee courses or through stay-and-play resorts. This approach makes the premium golf experience available to more people. In addition, clubs are putting more and more emphasis on sustainability and integrating with the environment. Many of the best courses have received certification for their conservation efforts. They are also improving the off-course experience by adding luxury accommodations and fine dining with local ingredients and state-of-the-art practice facilities. This combination makes sure they are a full leisure destination.
Top 5 Golf Courses in Australia
The following list shows five outstanding golf courses that show off the variety and quality of Australian golf. They include a world class remote links, a beautiful Sydney headland course, a modern public golf complex, a historic private club and a representative of the famous Melbourne Sandbelt which shows how diverse and rich the country’s golf scene is.
- Cape Wickham Golf Links
- Long Reef Golf Club
- Wembley Golf Course
- The Grange Golf Club
- Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course)
1. Cape Wickham Golf Links
Many people say that Cape Wickham Links, which is on the northern tip of King Island in the Bass Strait, is one of the best modern golf courses in the world. Mike DeVries and Darius Oliver worked together to design this beautiful and remote course. It’s a pure links course where you can see the ocean from every hole. The course goes up and down dramatic coastal dunes, cliffs and beaches. It has exciting carry-over coves, rumpled fairways and greens that are set in natural amphitheaters. It is a huge, unforgettable test of golf that requires strategy, creativity and the ability to play in the wind.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://capewickham.com.au/
- Location: King Island, Tasmania
- Course Type: Public Access (Daily Fee)
- Designers: Mike DeVries & Darius Oliver (Opened 2015)
Awards and Honors
Major golf magazines have consistently ranked it as the best public access golf course in Australia and one of the top 25 in the world. Global golf writers often use superlatives to describe it.
Important Features and Experience
- Unmatched Coastal Setting: The famous par-5 18th hole runs right along Victoria Cove to a green that sits above the surf.
- The wind is the main defense in Pure Links Golf. Players have to use the ground, deal with natural shapes and make smart decisions on every shot.
- Appeal of a Distant Destination: The trip to King Island is part of the adventure, giving you a sense of escape and being in a wild, natural setting.
- On-Site Accommodation: Offers villa-style rooms for multi-day stays and the chance to play 36 holes in changing light and wind.
Why It’s the Best
Cape Wickham is the best place for destination golf in Australia. It is a course of raw, natural beauty and strategic brilliance that offers a deep and exciting golfing experience. Its location makes it a must-play for any serious golfer.
2. Long Reef Golf Club
Long Reef Golf Club is a beautiful championship course that many people love. It is located on a beautiful peninsula in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Tasman Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the city skyline can all be seen from this golf course, which is known for its amazing views. The course itself is a strong and interesting par-72 layout that makes effective use of the natural headland terrain. It has tight fairways, strategic bunkers and small greens that require accuracy. The constant sea breeze makes it even harder, which is why it’s a well-known and popular test for both locals and visitors.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: https://longreefgolfclub.com.au/
- Location: Collaroy, New South Wales
- Course Type: Private Club with Visitor Access
- Established: 1921
Awards and Honors
Often ranked as one of Sydney’s best coastal courses and known as one of the most beautiful places to play golf in Australia.
Key Features & Experience
- Amazing Views: The views from the high tee boxes and fairways are always stunning, so every round is memorable, regardless of what your score is.
- Classic Headland Design: The course layout makes the most of the land, making many interesting holes that blend in with the natural surroundings.
- Full Club Amenities: The clubhouse is well-known and has a popular waterfront café and restaurant, which is excellent for relaxing after a round.
- Welcoming Atmosphere: Known for its friendly, laid-back atmosphere and strong sense of community, it caters to members and well-managed visitor play.
Why It’s Top-Tier
Long Reef delivers a quintessential Sydney golf experience: a high-quality, challenging course wrapped in some of the most dramatic coastal scenery imaginable. It perfectly balances a serious golf test with a breathtakingly beautiful and enjoyable day out.
3. Wembley Golf Course
Wembley Golf Course in Perth is a great example of what Australian public golf will be like in the future: modern, easy to get to and focused on the community. It is a purpose-built public facility that has an amazing 36-hole complex (the Old Course and Tuart Course) and one of the best practice facilities in the country. The goal is to give players of all skill levels a great golf experience in a friendly, non-threatening setting. The courses are well-designed, well-maintained and offer a lot of variety. The addition of a huge driving range with TopTracer technology, a mini-golf course and great places to eat make it a real golfing hub.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: http://www.wembleygolf.com.au/
- Location: Wembley, Western Australia
- Course Type: Public
- Owner/Manager: Town of Cambridge
Awards and Honors
Recognized for its outstanding design, operation and contribution to the community, it won the WA Metropolitan Golf Facility of the Year award for 2023.
Important Features and Experience
- Great public access: two high-quality 18-hole courses open to everyone, with excellent online booking and services.
- World-Class Practice Facility: An 80-bay, automated driving range with technology that makes the game better is a big draw for people who want to get better and play with others.
- Family and Social Focus: It encourages more people in the community to get involved than just playing golf by offering mini-golf, a playground and casual dining.
- Professional Hub: Has a big pro shop and a cutting-edge club-fitting studio for serious golfers.
Why It’s Top-Tier
Wembley is a model for how to run public golf well. It shows that accessibility, excellent facilities and high-quality course conditioning can all work together to make the game more fun and welcoming for everyone in the community.
4. The Grange Golf Club
The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide is a well-known and historic private club with two outstanding championship courses, the East and the West. The club is steeped in golfing tradition and is known for its high standards. It hosts many professional tournaments, such as the Australian PGA Championship. The courses are classic parkland layouts with tree-lined fairways, well-placed bunkers and greens that are always in great shape and very smooth. The Grange is a classy, well-established golf club that offers a pure, traditional test of golf that rewards careful course management and accurate shot-making.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: http://www.grangegolf.com.au/
- Location: Grange, South Australia
- Course Type: Private Club
- Tournament Pedigree: Regular host of professional and elite amateur events.
Awards and Honors
Always one of the best courses in South Australia and known all over the country for its classic design and tournament conditioning.
Important Features and Experience
- Tournament-Caliber Conditioning: The courses are always in perfect shape, with firm fairways and quick, true greens that test even the best players.
- Strategic Parkland Design: Requires precise tee shots and smart approach shots. Water is a factor on several holes, which adds to the risk/reward strategy.
- Strong Club Culture: The club has a long history and many active members who are interested in competitive golf, social events and helping juniors grow.
- Professional Legacy: The fact that it has hosted national championships in the past gives it a sense of prestige, letting golfers feel like they are following in the footsteps of champions.
Why It’s the Best
The Grange is a wonderful example of how Australia’s traditional private club model has lasted over time. It has well-kept parkland courses that meet the highest standards of the game, so you can play serious, championship-level golf.
5. Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course)
The West Course at Royal Melbourne Golf Club is the best golf course in Australia and one of the best in the world. Dr. Alister MacKenzie, with help from Alex Russell, designed it. It is the crown jewel of Melbourne’s Sandbelt and is always ranked as one of the top 10 courses in the world. The course is the best example of strategic design, with its famous sprawling bunkers, huge shaped greens and smart use of the sandy ground. It is a course that tests both the mind and the swing, where position is everything and the ground game is crucial. Any student of the game should go to Royal Melbourne West to play.
Contact Details & Background
- Official Website: http://www.royalmelbourne.com.au/
- Location: Black Rock, Victoria
- Course Type: Exclusive Private Club
- Designer: Dr. Alister MacKenzie (with Alex Russell)
Awards and Honors
Every year, it is ranked as the best golf course in Australia and one of the top 10 in the world. It is the standard by which all other Australian courses are judged.
Important Features and Experience
- Architects and players all over the world study and admire the strategic bunkering, green complexes and routing that make up architectural perfection.
- The Sandbelt Experience: This area is known for its firm, fast-running sandy base, which lets players make creative shots.
- Ultimate Strategic Test: There is no “right” way to play any hole. Every shot shows options and risks, which keeps players on their toes.
- Hallowed Ground: The course has hosted the Presidents Cup and other big events, which gives it a lot of history and importance.
Why It’s the Best
The West Course at Royal Melbourne is not only a great Australian course, but it is also one of the most important and influential golf courses ever built. It is the best example of strategic golf architecture and offers an intellectual and athletic challenge like no other.
The best golf in Australia takes you through a wide range of beautiful landscapes and architectural styles. From the remote, windswept beauty of Cape Wickham and the famous coastal beauty of Long Reef to the community-focused excellence of Wembley, the traditional championship test of The Grange and the historic, strategic masterpiece of Royal Melbourne, these courses are what make golf in this country so special. Each provides a distinct and world-class experience, united by a commitment to quality, a respect for the natural environment and the pure enjoyment of the game.
Australia’s best golf courses are great for any kind of trip, whether you’re looking for a bucket-list adventure, a scenic city round, easy public play, or a lesson in golfing history. They show how much the country loves golf and how proficient it is at making courses that are fun and challenging for golfers from all over the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the best time of year to play golf in Australia?
People play golf all year long, but the seasons are different in different parts of the world. In the southern states (Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia), spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) are the best times to visit because the weather is mild. The best time to visit Queensland and the Northern Territory is during the dry winter months (May to October). Most of the year, Sydney and Perth have good weather, but it can get hot in the summer.
2. How do I get a tee time at private clubs like Royal Melbourne or The Grange?
Access is very limited. Typically, you must be invited by a member or have a reciprocal introduction through your own private club. Some top private clubs may accommodate interstate or international visitors through prearranged packages with selected tour operators or hotels, but this is not guaranteed and often requires significant lead time and cost.
3. Do these courses have caddies?
Yes, but it depends. Destination courses like Cape Wickham strongly suggest or may even require caddies (or forecaddies) to help with finding your way around and keeping up with the pace of play. Professional caddie services are often required for visitors at private clubs like Royal Melbourne and The Grange. Some public courses, like Wembley, may rent out pull carts or motorized carts, but caddies are less common.
4. What should I bring with me on my golf trip to Australia?
Because the sun is intense, you need a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen and UV-protection sunglasses. Bring clothes that you can layer for changing weather, especially in southern areas and coastal links courses where the wind can make it cool even on sunny days. All clubs have a dress code that says you have to wear collared shirts and well-fitting shorts or pants.
5. What course is best for a beginner or high-handicap golfer?
Wembley Golf Course is made to be friendly and easy to get to for golfers of all skill levels. There are many tee options and the course is not scary. Long Reef also has a a playable layout from the forward tees with stunning views, but the wind can be a problem. The championship tests at Cape Wickham, The Grange and Royal Melbourne are better for players who have played before.
6. Do these classes have packages that let you stay and play?
Cape Wickham has villas on site just for people who are there to play golf. When you take city-based courses like Long Reef, Wembley, The Grange, or Royal Melbourne, you usually stay in hotels nearby. Concierge services are available at many high-end hotels in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. These services can help you make golf reservations at private clubs that work with the hotel.
