North Premium Golf Experience

A premium golf itinerary featuring three of the North Islands most scenic and authentic golf courses:
Te Arai Links North & South Courses and Kauri Cliffs. Perfect for golfers wanting the very best of upper North Island golf in New Zealand.

Day 1

Pickup

Our driver will pick you up from your Auckland City Centre hotel where you’ll begin a drive north to Te Arai Links. (approx. 1hr 20mins).

North Course at Te Rai Links

Designed by Tom Doak and opened in 2023, the North Course at Te Arai Links is a world-class links course that offers a completely different experience to its neighbouring South Course. While it begins and ends beside the Pacific Ocean, much of the routing winds through rolling inland sand dunes and pine forests, creating a strategic, thought-provoking round. Wide fescue fairways encourage bold tee shots, while the course's dramatic, heavily contoured greens demand creativity, imagination and precise approach play. The North Course has quickly earned international acclaim, debuting in GOLF Magazine's Top 100 Courses in the World shortly after opening.

Why golfers love playing the North Course

  • World-class design by renowned golf course architect Tom Doak.

  • Massive, undulating greens that reward creativity and strategic shot-making.

  • Firm, fast-running links conditions that offer a true links golf experience.

  • A stunning journey through towering sand dunes, native vegetation and ocean vistas, with every hole feeling unique.

  • Consistently ranked among the world's best courses, making it a bucket-list destination for golfers.

Accommodation

The accommodation at Te Arai Links perfectly complements the world-class golf experience. Designed with a contemporary coastal aesthetic, the spacious rooms, cottages and villas feature natural timber finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows and private outdoor spaces that immerse guests in the surrounding dunes and ocean landscape. Comfortable yet understated, every room is designed to help guests unwind after a day on the course, with luxurious bedding, premium amenities and stunning views. Whether you're staying in an Ocean View Room, a private cottage or a larger villa with friends, the accommodation delivers the ideal balance of luxury, privacy and connection to nature.

Why guests love it:

  • Luxurious accommodation with beautifully designed rooms, cottages and villas.

  • Stunning ocean and dune views from many rooms and private outdoor spaces.

  • Peaceful coastal setting that feels secluded and completely relaxing.

  • Direct access to two world-class golf courses, just a short walk from your room.

  • Premium comfort and thoughtful design, with exceptional beds, high-end finishes and a seamless connection to the natural surroundings.

Dinner

Dining at Ric's by the Ocean is a highlight of any stay at Te Arai Links. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the restaurant combines breathtaking coastal views with a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The menu showcases the very best of New Zealand's seasonal produce, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, premium local meats and ingredients sourced from nearby growers and producers. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely breakfast before your round, a long lunch with friends or dinner as the sun sets over the dunes, Ric's delivers outstanding food, warm hospitality and one of the country's most memorable dining experiences.

Diners love it for:

  • Spectacular ocean views from almost every table.

  • Fresh, seasonal New Zealand produce and locally sourced ingredients.

  • Outstanding seafood alongside premium meat and vegetarian options.

  • Relaxed, contemporary atmosphere that's perfect after a round of golf.

  • Extensive New Zealand wine list and expertly crafted cocktails.

  • Attentive, friendly service that enhances the experience.

Day 2

Breakfast

Breakfast at Ric's by the Ocean is the perfect way to start the day. Served in a relaxed setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean, guests can enjoy a menu featuring fresh seasonal fruit, house-made pastries, hearty cooked breakfasts and quality New Zealand coffee.

South Course at Te Rai Links

The South Course at Te Arai Links, designed by the renowned team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is a spectacular true links course that hugs the Pacific coastline. Opened in 2022, it features more oceanfront holes than the North Course, with dramatic views on nearly every hole. Wide fairways, natural sand dunes and strategic bunkering create a layout that is both enjoyable and challenging for golfers of all abilities. The South Course rewards thoughtful course management while providing an unforgettable experience thanks to its stunning scenery and classic links character.

Why golfers love the South Course

  • Spectacular ocean views on the majority of holes, creating one of the world's most scenic golf experiences.

  • Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, masters of natural golf course architecture.

  • Wide fairways and multiple playing options, making it enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.

  • Classic links golf, with firm fescue turf, natural dunes and strategic bunkering encouraging creative shot-making.

  • An unforgettable coastal routing, with memorable holes that stay with golfers long after the round ends.

Drive North

We drive south for 1 hour 45 mins and stop at Whangarei to enjoy lunch at The Quay Restaurant. The Quay is one of Northland's premier waterfront dining destinations, set in the heart of Whangārei's picturesque Town Basin marina. With sweeping views across the Hātea River, the restaurant offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere that perfectly showcases the region's produce. Its seasonal menu focuses on fresh local seafood, premium New Zealand meats and ingredients sourced from nearby farmers and producers, complemented by an extensive wine list featuring some of New Zealand's finest vineyards.

We then continue our drive north for another 1 hour 45 mins to arrive at the stunning Kauri Cliffs.

Accommodation

The accommodation at Kauri Cliffs offers an exceptional blend of luxury, privacy and natural beauty. Perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the elegant suites and private villas are thoughtfully positioned to maximise breathtaking sea views while ensuring complete tranquillity. Each suite features spacious interiors, a private veranda, open fireplace and luxurious bathroom, creating a warm and inviting retreat after a day on the golf course. Surrounded by native forest and rolling countryside, the accommodation delivers an intimate lodge experience with impeccable service, world-class comfort and the understated elegance for which Kauri Cliffs is renowned.

Why guests love it:

  • Luxurious suites and private villas, each offering exceptional comfort and privacy.

  • Breathtaking Pacific Ocean views from private verandas and many indoor living spaces.

  • Spacious accommodation featuring open fireplaces, oversized bathrooms and premium furnishings.

  • Peaceful, secluded setting surrounded by native forest, rolling farmland and dramatic coastline.

  • Impeccable lodge-style hospitality, with personalised service and attention to every detail.

Dinner

Dinner at Kauri Cliffs is a true celebration of New Zealand's finest cuisine and warm hospitality. Served in the elegant dining room overlooking the Pacific Ocean, each evening's menu showcases seasonal ingredients sourced from the property's own gardens, local farmers and nearby fishermen. Expertly prepared by the lodge's talented culinary team, every dish highlights fresh regional flavours and is complemented by an outstanding selection of New Zealand and international wines. Whether enjoying a relaxed pre-dinner drink by the fire or watching the sunset over the coastline, dining at Kauri Cliffs is an experience that is every bit as memorable as the golf.

Why guests love dinner at Kauri Cliffs

  • Seasonal menus showcasing the best local and estate-grown ingredients.

  • Spectacular ocean views from the elegant lodge dining room.

  • Exceptional New Zealand wines alongside a carefully curated international selection.

  • Refined yet relaxed atmosphere with warm, personalised service.

  • A true luxury dining experience that perfectly complements a stay at one of New Zealand's finest lodges.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Ric's by the Ocean is the perfect way to start the day. Served in a relaxed setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean, guests can enjoy a menu featuring fresh seasonal fruit, house-made pastries, hearty cooked breakfasts and quality New Zealand coffee.

Golf at Kauri Cliffs

Playing Kauri Cliffs is an unforgettable golfing experience and consistently ranks among the world's finest courses. Designed by David Harman, the championship layout winds through rolling farmland before emerging onto dramatic cliff tops high above the Pacific Ocean. With fifteen holes offering breathtaking ocean views and six playing directly alongside the cliffs, every round is as visually spectacular as it is strategically rewarding. Immaculate conditioning, challenging yet fair design and outstanding service combine to create a golfing experience that belongs on every golfer's bucket list.

Why golfers love Kauri Cliffs

  • Six spectacular cliff-edge holes with unforgettable views high above the Pacific Ocean.

  • Consistently ranked among the world's best golf courses, making it a true bucket-list destination.

  • Championship layout by David Harman that rewards strategy, creativity and shot-making.

  • Immaculate course conditioning with pristine fairways, greens and bunkers year-round.

Drive back to Auckland

Enjoy the scenery as we drive back to Auckland.

“Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character.” -Arnold Palmer