Part of the First Light Travel Group
South Pacific Specialists
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New Zealand’s North Island offers some of the world’s most spectacular luxury golf experiences, blending championship courses with breathtaking coastal and countryside landscapes. Play at iconic destinations like Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and Wairakei, where world-class design meets natural beauty. Off the fairways, enjoy elegant lodges, fine dining, and personalised service that elevate every golfing journey.
Duration: 14 Days
Starts: Auckland
Finishes: Auckland
On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred from the airport to your accommodation
Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland is famous for its stunning waterfront, diverse culture, and vibrant urban life. Located between Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, it features numerous islands and scenic coastlines along the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. The city’s skyline showcases iconic structures amid lush green hills and volcanic cones. As New Zealand’s economic and cultural hub, Auckland boasts a thriving arts scene, innovative cuisine, and a strong community spirit.
1 Night Accommodation at Hotel Britomart, Auckland
Escape the city to The Bay of Islands, a 144-island Maritime Park, brimming with secluded bays and marine life
Collect your rental vehicle on arrival at Kerikeri Airport and make your way to Kauri Cliffs, perched above the pristine shores of Matauri Bay. Set on 6,000 acres of rolling farmland and native forest, it offers breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean. Guests enjoy world-class facilities, including a championship golf course ranked among the best globally, a secluded spa sanctuary, private beaches, and gourmet dining showcasing seasonal local produce. Kauri Cliffs promises an unforgettable blend of refined elegance, natural beauty, and exceptional hospitality.
3 Nights Accommodation at Rosewood Kauri Cliffs Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Approximate Distance: 40 km
Total Driving Time: 45 minutes
Golf at Kauri Cliffs offers dramatic cliffside holes, and a world-class course set amid lush coastal landscapes
Playing a round of golf at Kauri Cliffs is a breathtaking experience, where 15 of the 18 holes offer panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and six holes are dramatically perched along cliffs that plunge to the sea. Designed by David Harman, this par-72 championship course weaves through lush forests, marshes, and rolling farmland, providing both a challenging game and stunning scenery. Ranked among the world’s top golf courses, Kauri Cliffs combines exceptional design with unparalleled natural beauty.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Option to indulge in spa treatments, go horseback riding or enjoy a gourmet picnics on Pink Beach
On a free day at Kauri Cliffs, explore the estate on a guided horseback ride or thrilling ATV tour through native forests and rolling farmland. Relax with a gourmet picnic on the private Pink Beach, known for its unique shell-strewn sands. Nearby, swim or snorkel at Matauri Bay, or visit Kerikeri to see the stunning Rainbow Falls and historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Whether seeking outdoor adventure, beachside relaxation, or cultural exploration, the surrounding area offers a rich array of experiences to complement your stay.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A world-class coastal golf experience, combining stunning oceanfront courses with refined luxury accommodation
Leaving behind the coastal beauty of Kauri Cliffs, journey south through Northland’s rolling hills and lush farmland towards Te Arai Links. As you approach, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and dramatic sand dunes signal your arrival at one of New Zealand’s premier golfing destinations. Te Arai Links welcomes you with an atmosphere of relaxed coastal luxury, setting the perfect tone for days of world-class golf, pristine beaches, and effortless relaxation amid the natural beauty of the North Island.
3 Nights Accommodation at Included Meals: Breakfast
Approximate Distance: 210 km
Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Bold green complexes, expansive fairways, and dramatic natural contours
Designed by Tom Doak, the North Course at Te Arai Links offers a distinctive inland links experience, weaving through dramatic sand dunes and former pine forests. While the opening and closing holes embrace the Pacific Ocean, the heart of the course features bold, undulating greens that challenge and reward strategic play. Highlights include the par-5 11th with its elevated green and natural ‘whirlpool’ hazard, and the par-4 13th crossing a sweeping bunker. This par-71 course delivers a memorable, inventive round in a stunning coastal landscape.
Included Meals: Breakfast
16 ocean-view holes, 8 that border the sea, offering a strategically engaging coastline experience
The South Course at Te Arai Links, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, delivers a world-class coastal golf experience. Set among natural sand dunes with firm fescue turf, it offers a true walking links adventure. Sixteen holes provide stunning ocean views, with eight running right alongside the sea. The layout emphasizes strategic play, with varied hole lengths and complex greens that challenge and reward golfers of all levels. Ranked among the world’s top courses, the South Course blends breathtaking scenery with timeless, thoughtful design.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Discover Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, set against a backdrop of volcanic mountains and lush forests
Embarking on a journey from Te Arai Links to Kinloch offers a captivating exploration of New Zealand’s North Island. Departing the coastal elegance of Te Arai, the route meanders through the verdant landscapes of the Waikato region, known for its rolling hills and rich Māori heritage. As you approach Kinloch, the scenery transforms into the geothermal wonders of the Taupō region, including natural hot pools, steaming craters and boiling mud pools. Upon arrival, Kinloch Manor & Villas awaits, offering refined luxury amidst the dramatic backdrop of Lake Taupō and volcanic landscapes.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Approximate Distance: 370 km
Total Driving Time: 5 hours
A inland links experience with dramatic terrain, strategic bunkering, and stunning views over Lake Taupō
Playing 18 holes at The Kinloch Club is a true test of skill and strategy, set against the breathtaking scenery of Lake Taupō. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this par-72 championship course features dramatic elevation shifts, rolling fairways, and over 170 bunkers that demand precision and thoughtful play. Reminiscent of classic inland links courses, Kinloch’s complex greens and varied terrain offer a rewarding challenge at every turn, delivering an unforgettable golfing experience for those who appreciate both beauty and technical mastery.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A challenging championship course with the serenity of a protected native wildlife sanctuary
Playing golf at Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary offers a truly unique experience where world-class play and conservation meet. Set across 450 acres of rolling parkland near Taupō, this par-72 course features 108 bunkers, water hazards, and lush fairways that demand precision and strategic thinking. Beyond the game, players are surrounded by a predator-free sanctuary, home to native birds like kiwi and takahē, and fallow deer roaming freely. The blend of challenging golf and thriving wildlife creates an unforgettable, nature-rich round unlike anywhere else in New Zealand.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Exceptional clifftop golf, luxury accommodation, and breathtaking coastal scenery
Hawke’s Bay, on New Zealand’s North Island, is celebrated for its stunning coastline, fertile vineyards, and rich cultural heritage. At its heart, Cape Kidnappers rises dramatically above the Pacific Ocean, offering one of the world’s most iconic golf courses and a luxury lodge experience. Beyond its spectacular fairways, the region boasts award-winning wineries, art deco architecture in nearby Napier, and beautiful coastal trails. Whether indulging in world-class golf, savoring fine wines, or exploring breathtaking landscapes, Hawke’s Bay and Cape Kidnappers promise an unforgettable blend of elegance, nature, and adventure.
3 Nights Accommodation at Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Approximate Distance: 200 km
Total Driving Time: 3 hours
Dramatic cliff-top fairways, sweeping ocean vistas, and a testing world-renowned course
Playing golf at Cape Kidnappers is an unforgettable experience, where dramatic cliffs plunge into the Pacific Ocean and sweeping fairways stretch across a rugged, elevated landscape. Designed by Tom Doak, this par-71 championship course offers a thrilling test of precision and creativity, with wide fairways, deep bunkers, and greens perched perilously near the ocean’s edge. Each hole showcases spectacular vistas of Hawke’s Bay and beyond, blending natural grandeur with world-class course design. Cape Kidnappers delivers a golfing experience that is as awe-inspiring as it is rewarding.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Relax with spa treatments, join a 4WD gannet safari, private wine tour, or a Cape Sanctuary night walk
A free day at Cape Kidnappers invites you to enjoy the natural beauty and refined experiences of Hawke’s Bay. You may choose to join a 4WD safari to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, where thousands of birds nest on dramatic cliffs, or indulge in a private wine tour through acclaimed vineyards. In the evening, you can join a Cape Sanctuary Night Tour that offers the chance to spot native kiwi and glowworms. Throughout the day, the lodge provides gourmet dining and serene spa treatments for ultimate relaxation.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After an incredible golfing trip fly back to Auckland prior to your onward flight
Today check out and travel to Hawkes Bays airport located in Napier where you will return your rental vehicle. We know you will enjoy this unforgettable golfing tour of the North Island. Our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible – ensuring that today you leave with plenty of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Approximate Distance: 40
Total Driving Time: 45 mintues
“This trip combines the best of golfing in New Zealand whilst also including the must-see scenic wonders on offer. We can easily add excursions to the itinerary for non-golfing partners. ”
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The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs has 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett, and the Cavalli Islands. It’s where guests enjoy rooms for reading and playing cards, checking emails, holding meetings, or enjoying cocktails before an á la carte gourmet meal that in fine weather is commonly taken on the verandah. The restaurant serves only the finest New Zealand lamb, beef, and seafood. Gentlemen will require a jacket for cocktails and dinner. Kauri Cliffs has 11 charming cottages, each with two suites providing a total of 22 units. Each has it own private porch, an open fireplace, and walk-in wardrobe. The cottages are nestled in native bush and overlook the golf course and the Pacific Ocean.
As the name belies, ‘The City of Sails’ – as Auckland is fondly known – is a stunning sea side city. The city centre surrounds a large harbour that bustles with life, both on water and on land. In the Auckland region, the North Island is geographically narrow and the city straddles a slim piece of land with coastline facing both the Pacific Ocean, and, on the wild West Coast, the Tasman Sea. Boutique shopping, pulsing, Pacific-inspired markets and a passionate cafe culture make this city a charming place to visit.
A subtropical wonderland of secluded bays, islands and history, the Bay of Islands is a coastal paradise. Get out on the water with a boat cruise or sailing charter and spot dolphins and whales frolicking in the water before seeing the Hole in the Rock, just off Cape Brett, up close. Stroll the streets of Russell, New Zealand’s first capital, and soak up its whaling and pioneering past. Learn about the birth of New Zealand in Waitangi, where the treaty that made New Zealand a British colony was signed.
Impressive is the word best used to describe Lake Taupo; after all, it is the biggest volcanic crater in the World! Lake Taupo is set amidst clean, green countryside, spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful native bush and some of the largest pine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. Taupo offers many leisure activities including exploring the lake by boat for scenery or fishing; view the mighty Huka Falls or visit local geothermal sites with natural hot pools and springs, steaming craters and boiling mud pools.
The Pacific Ocean provides a stunning backdrop to the Hawke’s Bay, framed to the south by the dramatic Cape Kidnappers and the Tukituki hills and to the north Wairoa and the Mahia Peninsula (this is where Rocket Labs main launch pad is for their satellites launches). From natural disaster was born a celebration of early twentieth century architecture – Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings pepper Napier, Hastings and the region’s small towns.
Explore celebrated vineyards, the supreme Cape Kidnappers golf course, architecture, birdlife and Maori culture. Hawkes Bay Wine Country is renowned for luxurious B and B’s and small hotels.
