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Best Of New Zealand North Island Tour

At a Glance

About This Self-Guided Tour

This self-drive New Zealand golf journey is designed for golfers who want complete flexibility without sacrificing quality or access. Over 14 nights, you’ll travel from Wellington to the Bay of Islands, playing a carefully selected collection of New Zealand’s finest championship courses while staying in premium, well-located accommodation throughout.

All logistics are handled in advance — tee times, accommodation, and rental vehicle — while you enjoy the freedom to travel independently at your own pace. Golf days are thoughtfully spaced to ensure a relaxed rhythm, with no more than two consecutive days of play. Digital itinerary access and 24/7 support provide reassurance without intrusion.

This itinerary is fully customisable and serves as an example of what can be tailored specifically to your travel dates, preferences, and pace.

Inclusions

14 nights premium accommodation:
- Sofitel Wellington (2 nights)
- Porters Boutique Hotel Havelock North (2 nights)
- Hilton Lake Taupo (3 nights)
- Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour (3 nights)
  - Te Arai Links (2 nights)
Paihia Beach Resort & Spa (2 nights)
Confirmed tee times at all 9 championship courses
- Royal Wellington
- Cape Kidnappers
- Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary
- The Kinloch Club
- Titirangi
- Te Arai North
- Te Arai South
- Kauri Cliffs
Self-drive rental vehicle for 15 days (automatic transmission)
Digital travel app & on-tour support 24/7

Trip Itinerary

Arrive into Wellington Airport and collect your automatic rental vehicle. Drive into the city and settle into your hotel for the next two nights. Wellington is compact and easy to explore, with excellent dining, waterfront walks, and museums.

This evening is free to relax or enjoy your first taste of New Zealand’s food and wine scene. Your welcome pack, including maps, course guides, and local recommendations, will be ready for you.

Overnight: Sofitel Wellington
Your first round of golf sets the tone for the journey, playing one of the Wellington region’s premier championship layouts. Golf carts are pre-arranged, and your routing and tee time are confirmed in advance to ensure a smooth experience.

The afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace—visit Te Papa, stroll the harbour, or enjoy a long lunch overlooking the water.

Overnight: Sofitel Wellington

Golf Information

Royal Wellington Golf Club is one of New Zealand’s most respected private clubs, offering a classic championship layout set on gently rolling terrain north of the capital. The course reflects traditional design values, rewarding accuracy, intelligent positioning, and sound course management rather than brute length.

Conditioning is consistently excellent, with well-guarded greens and strategically placed bunkers providing challenge throughout the round. Royal Wellington is a fitting introduction to New Zealand golf and sets a high benchmark for the journey ahead.
Cape Kidnappers is one of New Zealand’s most iconic and visually dramatic golf courses. Designed by Tom Doak, the course sits high above the Pacific Ocean, with fairways routed along narrow ridgelines and cliff-top headlands.

The scale of the landscape is extraordinary, yet the course remains highly playable. Wide fairways, bold green sites, and ever-present wind demand thoughtful strategy and confident shot-making. Cape Kidnappers is a true bucket-list experience and a standout highlight of the journey.
Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary is one of the country’s most established and enjoyable championship courses. Set within a protected wildlife reserve near Lake Taupō, the course offers a relaxed, flowing layout framed by mature trees and open fairways.

The sanctuary setting adds a unique dimension, with native birdlife and a strong sense of space throughout the round. Excellent conditioning and playability make Wairakei a favourite for both local and visiting golfers.
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Kinloch Club delivers a true links-style experience overlooking Lake Taupō. Built on sandy, free-draining terrain, the course contrasts sharply with the surrounding parkland layouts of the region.

Firm fairways, deep bunkering, and exposed greens place a premium on creativity and precision. Kinloch is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most challenging modern courses and provides a compelling counterpoint to Wairakei.
Titirangi Golf Club is New Zealand’s finest example of Alister MacKenzie’s work and one of the country’s most architecturally significant courses. The layout winds naturally through native bush and rolling terrain in Auckland’s west.

Strategy is paramount, with angles, positioning, and green complexes demanding careful thought on every shot. Titirangi rewards disciplined play and is a highlight for golfers who appreciate classic course design.
Designed by Tom Doak, the North Course at Te Arai Links is widely regarded as one of the world’s great modern links courses. Set across towering coastal dunes, it offers uninterrupted ocean views and a pure links experience shaped by wind and terrain.

Wide fairways, bold green complexes, and multiple strategic options define the course. The scale and drama of the North Course make it a centrepiece of this itinerary and a benchmark for contemporary golf design.
The South Course at Te Arai Links, designed by Coore & Crenshaw, provides a contrasting yet equally refined links experience. More intimate in scale, the course weaves subtly through the dunes with an emphasis on creativity, ground game, and nuanced shot-making.

Understated bunkering and beautifully contoured greens allow the natural landscape to take centre stage. Playing both courses offers a rare opportunity to experience two world-class interpretations of links golf on the same stretch of coastline.
Kauri Cliffs is consistently ranked among the world’s top coastal golf courses and is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated golfing experiences. Set high above the Pacific Ocean, the course features dramatic cliff-top holes, sweeping fairways, and breathtaking views from nearly every tee.

Despite its visual drama, the layout is balanced and playable, with generous landing areas and multiple tee options. Kauri Cliffs provides a spectacular and memorable conclusion to the journey.

Experiences

Here are the top-10 sightseeing and non-golf activities to do in each location.

Wellington

Base: Sofitel Wellington

Visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum
Walk the Wellington Waterfront from Queens Wharf to Oriental Bay
Ride the Wellington Cable Car to the Botanic Garden
Explore Zealandia Ecosanctuary
Dining and nightlife in the Cuba Street precinct
Scenic drive around the Miramar Peninsula
Visit Mount Victoria Lookout for panoramic city views
Coffee crawl through Wellington’s laneways
Guided tour of Parliament Buildings
Optional day trip to the Wairarapa wine region

Hawke’s Bay / Havelock North

Base: Porters Boutique Hotel

Wine tasting in the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa subregions
Walk or drive to the summit of Te Mata Peak
Explore Napier’s Art Deco district
Cycle the Hawke’s Bay Trails
Lunch or tasting at Craggy Range Winery
Visit the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
Hastings Farmers’ Market (weekends)
Coastal drive to Ocean Beach
Local olive oil tastings and farm gates
Shopping, cafés, and wine bars in Havelock North village

Lake Taupō

Base: Hilton Lake Taupō

Visit Huka Falls
Scenic cruise on Lake Taupō
Walk the Spa Thermal Park trails
Explore Craters of the Moon
Lake Taupō fishing charter
Scenic helicopter or floatplane flight
Day trip to Tongariro National Park
Riverside dining in Taupō town
Thermal hot pools and spa experiences
Sunset lakeside walk or cycle

Auckland

Base: Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

Ferry to Waiheke Island for wine tasting
Explore Auckland Domain and Museum
Visit the Sky Tower observation deck
Walk the Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter
West coast beaches including Piha and Muriwai
Harbour sailing or cruising experience
Dining in Ponsonby and Parnell
Walk to the summit of Rangitoto Island
Shopping in Britomart
Coastal walk at Mission Bay

Te Arai Coast

Base: Te Arai Links Resort

Beach walks along the Te Arai coastline
Relax on-site at the resort between rounds of golf
Visit Mangawhai village cafés and shops
Swimming or surfing (conditions permitting)
Sunset walks through the dunes
Explore Matakana village and local markets
Snorkelling at Goat Island Marine Reserve
Scenic coastal drives north or south
Local food producers and farm shops
Stargazing in the remote coastal setting

Bay of Islands / Paihia

Base: Paihia Beach Resort & Spa

Bay of Islands island-hopping boat cruise
Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Dolphin and marine-life watching tours
Kayaking around the sheltered bays
Explore the historic village of Russell
Beach time on Urupukapuka Island
Fishing charter or coastal cruise
Scenic coastal walks and lookouts
Sunset dining on the Paihia waterfront
Scenic helicopter flight over the Bay of Islands

How to Book

How to Book Your Golf Trip

Every Voyages.golf experience is custom-made to your specifications—no two itineraries are identical. To ensure we secure the best tee times and accommodation, especially at high-demand courses and destinations, we recommend starting the booking process well in advance. We will advise you on the best booking windows for in-demand locations.

Before reaching out, it helps to have clarity on your preferred travel dates and confirmed group members (who’s definitely in, who’s still deciding). This allows us to move quickly when availability opens at sought-after courses.

Our 5-Step Booking Process

1. Enquire
Contact our team with your ideal travel window, preferred courses or destinations, group size, and any special requirements. The more detail you provide, the better we can tailor your itinerary. Keep in mind that popular courses and travel periods book out months in advance; early enquiries give you the best selection.

2. Book
Once we’ve designed your perfect itinerary and you’re ready to proceed, we’ll send a detailed invoice. We accept multi-currency payments via credit card or direct bank transfer, making both domestic and international bookings straightforward and secure.

3. Travel
Experience the golf trip we’ve meticulously planned for you. Our team remains available throughout your journey for any support, adjustments, or assistance you might need with the latest digital travel app to support your group throughout.

4. Share Your Experience
We’d love to hear how your trip went. Share your experience on social media (tag us @voyagesgolf), leave a review, or send us photos from your trip to be featured. Your feedback helps us continually improve and helps fellow golfers discover their next great adventure.

5. Stay in Touch
Once you’ve traveled with Voyages.golf, you’re part of our community. We’ll keep you informed about new course partnerships, exclusive travel opportunities, and seasonal recommendations for your next golf getaway.

Ready to Start Planning?
Contact Voyages.golf today. Let us know when you’re thinking of traveling and which courses are on your bucket list—we’ll take care of the rest.

WHY VOYAGES.GOLF

Registered with IATA, IAGTO, TIDS
No minimum group size
Hand-picked luxury accommodation
Family owned & operated
Secure multi-currency payments
Professional Service from real people

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most travellers entering New Zealand must hold a valid passport and, in many cases, an approved NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).

For travellers from visa-waiver countries (including Australia, the UK, Europe, and North America), the requirements typically include:
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from New Zealand
- An approved NZeTA, obtained online before travel
- Payment of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), usually collected during the NZeTA application
- Evidence of onward or return travel if requested at entry
Australian passport holders do not require an NZeTA, but must still meet standard entry conditions.

Entry requirements can change, so we recommend checking official government guidance prior to travel. We’re happy to point you in the right direction during the planning process, but travellers are responsible for ensuring they meet all entry and visa requirements before departure.

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Rated Excellent on the world’s leading independent review platform.

Best Of New Zealand North Island Tour

At a Glance

Day 1 | Welcome to Wellington

Day 2 | Championship Golf in Wellington

Day 2 | Golf at Royal Wellington Golf Club

Day 3 | Wellington to Hawke’s Bay

Day 4 | Golf at Cape Kidnappers

Day 5 | Hawke’s Bay to Lake Taupō

Day 6 | Golf at Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary

Day 7 | Golf at The Kinloch Club

Day 8 | Lake Taupō to Auckland

Day 9 | Golf at Titirangi Golf Club

Day 10 | Auckland at Leisure

Day 11 | Golf at Te Arai Links – North Course

Day 12 | Golf at Te Arai Links – South Course

Day 13 | Te Arai to Bay of Islands

Day 14 | Golf at Kauri Cliffs

Day 15 | Bay of Islands to Auckland – Departure

Royal Wellington Golf Club

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course

Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary

The Kinloch Club

Titirangi Golf Club

Te Arai Links – North Course

Te Arai Links – South Course

Kauri Cliffs Golf Course

WHY VOYAGES.GOLF

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Accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an escorted tour?

Is the itinerary fixed or can it be customised?

How is the self-drive portion handled?

How many rounds of golf are included?

What level of accommodation is included?

When is the best time of year to travel to New Zealand for Golf?

How do I book or enquire?

What are the entry requirements for New Zealand?

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