Flush fairways flourish across the country.
Better yet, many of the best golf courses in Australia are open to the public.
Continuing the good news, some of them – some – aren’t stupidly expensive to play, either.
We’re highlighting an almighty collection of courses to drive, chip, and putt your way around.
There are plenty of distinctive elements among them, ensuring this fabulous 14 is a must for club carriers of all abilities.
The grass isn't always greener, but sometimes it is. Location: Barwon Heads Golf Club, VIC. Scroll for more.
1. Barnbougle, Bridport, TAS
Barnbougle is golfing mecca. It’s home to two well-crafted and contrasting 18-hole links layouts – The Dunes and Lost Farm – that regularly rank among Australia’s greatest golf courses and receive global accolades. A 14-hole course joins that pair; combined, the trio delivers breathtaking coastal views. Additionally, The Dunes features the southern hemisphere’s largest sand bunker. Bridport is 75km northeast of Launceston.
Breathtaking Barnbougle. Credit: Jacob Sjoman.
2. Bonville Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Bonville is right up there in a list of the prettiest golf courses in Australia. With massive trees lining the fairways and abundant wildlife and bird life to see or hear, strolling these stretches is like taking a walk in a national park. So, if your game isn’t up to scratch, you’ll at least be able to blame it on the constant distraction of remarkable scenery. Bonville is a short drive from Coffs Harbour.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Park Beach, BIG4 Sawtell Beach or NRMA Darlington Beach in the Coffs Harbour region.
A walk in the park: Bonville. Image courtesy: Bonville Golf Resort.
3. The Dunes Golf Links, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Found at the heart of the peninsula, The Dunes regularly shows up in best courses lists whether public access is part of the conversation or not. Set among a sea of sand dunes and of undulating design, the layout is classic links. A round begins in imposing style with the hardest of the 18 holes. But don’t be deterred – these fairways appeal to most abilities. The Dunes is joined by the nine-hole Cups course.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Mornington Peninsula.
The Dunes appeals to all levels but has its traps.
4. Twin Waters Golf Club, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Designed by the late Australian golfing great and five-time British Open winner, Peter Thomson, Twin Waters is an extremely enjoyable place to hit a ball. Relatively flat, the much-loved Sunshine Coast golf course strikes a perfect balance: it’s challenging but not overly punishing. Although don’t let that lure you into a false sense of security: some sections of water and annoyingly placed bunkers are ready to feast on errant shots.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Maroochy River or Ingenia Holidays Rivershore, Maroochydore.
The perfect balance: Twin Waters Golf Club.
5. Goldfields Golf Club, Kalgoorlie, WA
This 18-hole championship course is one of Australia’s more distinctive layouts. It contrasts classic country bushland and rich-red desert sands with lush green fairways and putting surfaces. Five varying tee areas on each hole enable the club to increase its appeal for all abilities. A golden find.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Acclaim Prospector, Kalgoorlie.
Contrasting: Goldfields Golf Club. Credit: Tourism Western Australia.
6. Anglesea Golf Club, VIC
Play a round at Anglesea Golf Club and expect to share the fairways with a huge population of kangaroos. The Great Ocean Road golf course is literally packed with hundreds of them – so much so that the club even has designated kangaroo tours. Native wildlife aside, this is a scenic layout that holds plenty of interest.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Anglesea or BIG4 Aireys Inlet.
There are plenty of spectators at Anglesea Golf Club.
7. Links Lady Bay, Normanville, SA
The Fleurieu Peninsula is sprinkled with first-rate golf clubs and this 18-hole championship course is among its most prized gems. Modelled on the St Andrews style, Links Lady Bay is stimulating from start to finish. Sparkling coastal views are prominent throughout the round, including at the famed seventeenth: this tough par three is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest golf holes.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Normanville Jetty, BIG4 Cape Jervis, BIG4 Mount Compass, or BIG4 Port Willunga.
Links Lady Bay is a stunner. Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission.
8. Narooma Golf Club, NSW
This layout ranks highly when it comes to Australia’s best golf courses, and its signature third hole is hard to beat. A testing par three, Hogan’s Hole is simply awe-inspiring. Witness incredible coastal scenes from the tee as you attempt to navigate a shot over water and onto a small green. It’s one of several holes overlooking ‘the drink’, which contrasts with fairways that are surrounded by tall trees.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Narooma.
Spectacular: Hogans is the hero hole at Narooma Golf Club.
9. Links Hope Island Golf Club, Gold Coast, QLD
Consistently ranked among Australia's top courses, this is Gold Coast resort golf at its finest. It’s another layout that is the brainchild of Peter Thomson and his architect partners, so first-rate fairways and greens and plenty of thought-provoking holes are par for the course. And the island location means water views are constant, although the liquid is not so endearing when its gobbling up wayward shots.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Gold Coast or NRMA Treasure Island.
Links Hope Island Golf Club is a resort classic.
10. Barwon Heads Golf Club, VIC
This Bellarine Peninsula beauty is an Australian golf favourite, regularly appearing on top 100 lists and the like. Established in 1907, it’s a genuine links course with its rippling fairways, well-placed bunkers, and fast greens coupled with tricky winds. Naturally, sensational sea vistas come into play, and there’s also a par-three course on site. The club has an iconic neighbour, 13th Beach Golf Links, which consists of two popular courses.
Play when staying at: BIG4 Bellarine or BIG4 Ingenia Queenscliff.