07 Day New Zealand Golf Itinerary

Plan a luxury New Zealand golf trip and play the best golf courses in the country. New Zealand Luxury Escapes will help you plan an unforgettable golf holiday.

Our recommended 7 Day New Zealand Golf Trip Itinerary includes top golf destinations, from Cape Kidnappers to Queenstown:

• Day 1 – Arrive Auckland to Taupo
• Day 2 – Taupo & Golf at the Kinloch Club
• Day 3 – Hawkes Bay
• Day 4 – Hawkes Bay & Golf at Cape Kidnappers
• Day 5 – Queenstown
• Day 6 – Queenstown & Golf at The Hills Golf Club
• Day 7 – Queenstown & Golf at Jack’s Point or Millbrook Resort
• Day 8 – Depart Queenstown

For your New Zealand golf trip, choose to rent a car or travel with a private guide. Stay at all-inclusive luxury golf retreats or 5-star hotels.

Read on for a full description of the 7 Day New Zealand Golf Trip Itinerary.

7 Day New Zealand Golf Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland – Taupo, The Lodge at Kinloch

Drive Auckland to Taupo – 3.5 hours

Arrive in Auckland the gateway to New Zealand, pick up your rental car and head to your first golf destination, Taupo. The Lodge at Kinloch, located in Taupo, is set within the tranquil 254ha grounds of the Kinloch Club Golf Course. This modern uber-luxury lodge has been designed to emulate a version of the Kinloch region namesake Scottish Castle, but with a truly modern 21st century design concept. The main lodge, with local schist stone exteriors features dramatic framed vistas of the sensational views of the golf course and the ever changing Lake Taupo.

Stay 2 nights at The Lodge at Kinloch, Taupo.

Accommodation: The Lodge at Kinloch

Day 2 Golf, The Kinloch Club

A Top 100 golf course, the Kinloch Club is a Championship inland links style Jack Nicklaus signature design. Measuring 6519 yards off the white tees, and 7363 yards off the Championship tees, Kinloch offers an exceptional golfing experience.

The design philosophy behind Kinloch was to enhance the natural environment – and allow the surroundings of the stunning Taupo region to shape each hole. But beware, it’s tough. The only flat lie you will have is on the tee box, so be prepared. Extensive bunkering guards the front of the greens and you’ll have to think carefully of every single hole shot.

There’s only one thing better than the satisfying feeling of holing out on the 18th at Kinloch, and that’s relaxing with friends in the superb luxurious Kinloch Clubhouse. The Kinloch Clubhouse features outstanding panoramic vistas all year round with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating to savour the views. With full gourmet catering and bar facilities available before, during and after your round of golf you’re sure to stay energised and refreshed.

Day 3 Hawkes Bay, The Farm Cape Kidnappers

Drive Taupo to Cape Kidnappers – 2.5 hours

Far out to the east of Hawke’s Bay wine country, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers Luxury Lodge sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs that give way to vast sea views and an ever-present horizon. Named as one of the world’s most extraordinary luxury destinations, set on a 6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm, this unique property not only offers an exquisite luxury lodge and spa, it also boasts one of the world’s top golf courses.

Stay 2 nights in Cape Kidnappers

Accommodation: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers

Day 4 Golf, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers boasts a par 71 championship golf course designed by Tom Doak. The golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, this spectacular New Zealand golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape and with stunning sea views, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course plays high above the ocean atop dramatic cliffs.

With cliff-edge fairways perched 140 metres above sea level and with surface that remains firm and fast, this course offers holes unlike anything you will find elsewhere in the world. The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well-stocked golf shop, club house and premium ladies’ and mens’ rental clubs are available.

Day 5 Queenstown

Flight transfer Napier to Queenstown

Today your journey takes you to Queenstown, the ultimate luxury destination on New Zealand’s South Island. From world-class luxury lodges to indulgent spa experiences and an array of world renowned golf courses, Queenstown is a delight. Your accommodation in Queenstown is at Matakauri Lodge, spectacularly situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Voted one of the top five lodges in New Zealand and Australia, Matakauri is the ultimate sanctuary. Option to stay at any property of your choice.

For travelling partners not golf inclined, the next few days can be spent at your leisure, either relaxing at Matakauri Lodge and perhaps indulging in the spa treatments on offer, or adding an activity from the wide array on offer in Queenstown. Options range from guided nature walks and private cruises on Lake Wakatipu to more adrenaline-fuelled activities such as jet-boating and skydiving.

Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.

Accommodation: Matakauri Lodge

Day 6 Golf, The Hills Golf Club

The Hills is New Zealand’s most exclusive golf club. Members and guests enjoy an unparalleled level of service in a unique environment that incorporates a championship golf course with full practice facilities and the finest clubhouse hospitality.

Kiwi entrepreneur Sir Michael Hill’s private golf course in Arrowtown, was designed by Darby Partners and opened in 2007 to host The New Zealand Open. Set over 500 acres of land across a glacial valley, the layout highlights the dramatic elevation changes and rocky schist outcrops that are a feature of the area. The 6596 meter par 72 championship course features numerous elevated tees offering players an excellent view of the challenge ahead and 360 degree views of spectacular snow capped mountain scenery. There are no parallel fairways and no two holes alike. While primarily a private club, The Hills accepts a limited number of visitor bookings daily.

Day 7 Jack’s Point Golf Course / Millbrook Golf Course

Jack’s Point Golf Course

With a backdrop of 2300 vertical metres of The Remarkables mountain range and an armchair view of outstanding lake panoramas, Jack’s Point Golf Course is one of the most visually spectacular courses in the world. As an 18 hole par 72 championship course it offers golfers of any calibre a challenging and unforgettable experience. Jacks Point Golf Course is designed with minimal excavation, the 6388 metre (7088 yard) course is built on the most spectacular of Jack’s Point terrain, weaving through tussocks grasslands, steep bluffs and swathes of native bush to the edge of Lake Wakatipu. 

Millbrook Golf Course

Set in a natural alpine amphitheatre against the backdrop of The Remarkables Mountain Range, this 27 hole golf course exploits the dramatic terrain and delivers world-class golf. This award winning golf course has also been voted ‘Best Golf Hotel’ at the World Golf Awards and named ‘Oceania’s Best Golf Hotel’ in New Zealand (option to stay at Millbrook Resort Hotel).

The course was originally designed by renowned professional and master golfer Sir Bob Charles, then renovated by Greg Turner in October 2010 with the addition of The Coronet Nine. Millbrook is a breathtaking environment to tee off at and offers three fabulous nine hole courses, each named after local prominent Queenstown landmarks- The Remarkables, The Arrow and The Coronet Nine.

Day 8 Depart Queenstown

As your unforgettable New Zealand golf vacation draws to a close, soak in the views one last time before departing Queenstown.

Play the Best Golf Courses in the Country with a New Zealand Golf Trip

New Zealand is home to many world-renowned golf courses. These include:

• Kauri Cliffs
• Cape Kidnappers
• Jack’s Point
• Tara Iti

New Zealand Luxury Escapes will help craft an unforgettable golf holiday with luxury accommodation, superb rounds of golf, and carefully planned details. Take advantage of our local knowledge as you plan your New Zealand golf trip.

We also offer a 10 Day New Zealand Golf Itinerary and a 14 Day New Zealand Golf Itinerary.