Magnificent scenery, high quality facilities, low green fees and almost 400 courses make New Zealand an ideal destination for a golfing holiday. Following is a suggested 3 week golfing itinerary, taking in the best courses and seeing the country at the same time. 21 days/20 nights quality lodge accommodation, all with ensuite. Included in Package are: Accommodations, Rental car and Tours as listed, Flight Rotorua to Christchurch and a complimentary golfing guide.
Cost:
NZD$2915 per person
Using a Suggested Itinerary
Suggested Itineraries are prepared by GINZ.com to make planning your trip easier.
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Costs are based on two people travelling and staying in a twin/double room.
Day 1.
Arrive Auckland. Pick up your rental car and stay in the city of Sails. Your accommodation is right beside the Marina and in the heart of the city where you can walk and explore downtown Auckland.
Day 2.
See the Americas Cup Village, Kelly Tarltons Underwater World,the Sky Tower, take a boat trip to Waiheke Island and enjoy the local food and wine on offer.
Day 3.
Travel to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands (270km, 4 hours).Plan to Golf at Gulf Harbour at Whangaparoa, 40 minutes North of Auckland or Waipu Golf Club at Bream Bay (135km from Auckland).Stay in Kerikeri tonight.
Day 4.
Visit the historic Treaty House at Waitangi and take a ferry trip to historic Russell across the bay.Paddling a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and crannies and swimming with dolphins is another specialty of the Bay of Islands. Many operators in the region offer excellent trips to spectacular Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’ on Piercy Island.
Day 5.
Golf at Kerkeri, a short drive North, visit New Zealands oldest building, Kemp House (1822) and the Kororipo Pa, fort of the infamous Ngapuhi war chief, Hongi Hika. Kerikeri is home to many artisans, excellent cafes and restaurants.
Day 6.
Travel back towards Auckland. Visit the Waipoua Kauri Forest on the way. Continue to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Day 7.
Golf at Matarangi Golf Links or Mercury Bay Golf Club. Other options include sea kayaking, bush walking, fishing, diving, surfing and swimming and visiting Hahei Beach, cathedral Cove and soaking in the hot pools at Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own spa pool in the sand at low tide.
Day 8.
Travel to Rotorua (165 km, 100 miles, 2 hours).Explore this lakeside volcanic with it's geysers and mudpools, relax in a mineral Spa, visit a Marae and take in a Maori cultural show this evening.
Day 9.
Visit New Zealands largest lake, Taupo, 1 hour south of Rotorua. Golf at the Wairakei Golf Course, visit the Huka Falls or go trout fishing.
Day 11.
Fly from Rotorua to Queenstown. Plenty to do here for the rest of the afternoon — try horse trekking, a boat trip on the lake, white water rafting, jet boating, a round of golf, a wine tour or shopping. Enjoy a meal out at one of Queenstowns many top restaurants.
Day 12.
You can choose from a range of excellent courses in the area - recommended are Frankton, Arrowtown and Wanaka.Wanaka,an hours drive over the scenic Crown Range, is a sublime tourist town on the edge of the 4th largest lake in New Zealand. There is plenty to do here with great walks around the lake and mountains, fishing and boating available, scenic flights up to the Mt Aspiring National Park and good restaurants and cafes to enjoy the view from.
Day 13.
Take a Fly-Cruise-Fly trip to Milford Sound.Fly into the Sound and take a boat trip to experience the majestic wildlife and scenery of Fiordland. Return to Queenstown where you will have plenty of time to play more golf or enjoy other activities in the town.Stay in Queenstown at Millbrook again tonight.
Day 14.
Travel to Tokarahi, just inland from Oamaru and stay at the historic Tokarahi homestead. Drive Arrowtown to Alexandra (75km, less than an hour) where you will also pass by the historic mining town of Clyde, then onto St Bathans and the Blue Lakes. St Bathans, 17km off the highway from a small town called Becks, is the best preserved Otago Goldfields site. It is worth going via Danseys Pass if you are happy to drive along an unsealed road. Alternatively, drive out to the main road at Palmerston and carry on north to Oamaru. Allow plenty of time for stops and photos today as the landscape is quite unique and the roads a little more challenging. Allow total drive time of 5 hours.
Day 15.
You can play golf nearby, visit a site of Maori rock carvings, go horse trekking or take a day trip to Oamaru or Dunedin. Options are Blue and Yellow Eyed penguin tours and a trip to Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula, home to the only mainland breeding colony of Royal albatross in the world. Moeraki Boulders boasts a very good restaurant for lunch.
Day 16.
Travel to Methven today via the hydro lakes of Waitaki lakes of Aviemore, Bemore and Pukaki built to supply electricity. Take a scenic flight by plane or helicopter over Mt Cook and the glaciers from Glentanner Station on the Mt Cook Road. (Tokarahi to Mt Cook - 2 hours). Then carry on to Lake Tekapo and through to Terrace Downs - allow 3.5 hours driving from Mt Cook.
Day 17.
Terrace Downs is a recently developed course on 227 hectares with 11 lakes and ponds and stunning views over the Rakaia River Gorge to Mt Hutt.There are plenty of other options here as well - jet-boating, horse riding, mountain biking, river rafting or just enjoying the fine scenery, fresh air and wide open spaces.
Day 18.
Travel to Christchurch a comfortable hours drive away.
Day 19.
Golfing in Christchurch at the beautiful Clearwater Resort which also includes horse riding trails, walkways and fishing streams. Other courses worth trying are the Russley and Christchurch Golf clubs.
Day 20.
Take a day trip to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula and enjoy a cruise on the harbour and swim with the dolphins. Explore the pretty seaside town of Akaroa with its French history and take a walk through the bush which is full of native birdlife. Stop off at the Little River Gallery on the way home for quality New Zealand art and great food and coffee.
Day 21.
Golf in Christchurch or take a day trip to Hanmer Springs (1.5 hours), relax in the thermal hot pools, golf, walk and enjoy the special atmosphere of this small mountain resort. Depart from Christchurch.
