The Australian Open Golf Championship is the oldest and most prestigious tournament in Australia, dating back to 1904. Over more than a century, it has welcomed legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth, building a reputation as one of golf’s great national championships. Now part of the DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, the event carries global significance, with pathways to The Open Championship and a field of international stars and homegrown talent.
In 2026, the championship will be staged at Kingston Heath Golf Club, one of the world’s top courses and a jewel of Melbourne’s Sandbelt. With its strategic design, flawless conditioning, and rich history, Kingston Heath provides the perfect stage for another chapter in Australian Open history. For travellers, the Australian Open offers more than just world-class golf—it is a chance to immerse yourself in Melbourne, Australia’s cultural capital. At Voyages.golf, we create complete experiences around the championship, combining premium accommodation, course access, hospitality upgrades, and private transfers with the option to play nearby Sandbelt classics, explore the Great Ocean Road, or enjoy the Yarra Valley wine country. Every detail is carefully managed so your trip is seamless from start to finish.
The Australian Open Golf Championship stands as the pinnacle of tournament golf in Australia and one of the world’s great national championships. First played in 1904, it has built a storied legacy, with champions including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth. Now part of the DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia, the event attracts an elite international field while providing a platform for Australia’s best professionals and emerging talents.
In 2026, the championship returns to Melbourne’s Sandbelt, with Kingston Heath Golf Club hosting. Known for its beauty and challenge, Kingston Heath provides the perfect stage for one of golf’s most prestigious titles.
The Australian Open follows a 72-hole stroke play format contested over four rounds, with a halfway cut after 36 holes. The field typically features top-ranked international players alongside Australia’s finest professionals and amateurs.
Recent editions have also showcased the tournament’s inclusive character, with the Australian All Abilities Championship contested concurrently and mixed-gender fields introduced in a world-first initiative for a national open. These innovations ensure the Australian Open reflects the future of golf while honouring its historic traditions.
Kingston Heath Golf Club is one of the world’s most celebrated golf courses and a jewel of Melbourne’s Sandbelt. Opened in 1925 and designed by Dan “Des” Soutar, the layout was later refined by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, whose input shaped the course’s legendary bunkering and strategic character.
Opened: 1925
Designer: Dan “Des” Soutar, with bunkering advice from Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Length: 7,007 metres (7,657 yards)
Par: 72
Compact in footprint but vast in strategic complexity, Kingston Heath rewards precision and creativity, demanding thoughtful shot-making at every turn. The club has hosted multiple Australian Opens, as well as international events such as the 2009 Australian Masters (won by Tiger Woods) and the 2016 World Cup of Golf. Its timeless design ensures it remains a stern but fair test for the modern game.
The Melbourne Sandbelt is regarded as one of the greatest golfing regions in the world. Defined by its sandy soil, unique turf, and dramatic bunkering, the Sandbelt is home to a cluster of elite clubs including Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Victoria, and Huntingdale.
These courses regularly feature in the world’s top 100 rankings and have hosted countless national and international championships. For visiting golfers, the Sandbelt is more than a destination—it is a pilgrimage, offering the chance to play on courses that shaped the very traditions of strategic golf design.
Combined with Melbourne’s status as Australia’s cultural capital—renowned for its laneways, cafés, galleries, and nearby wine country—the Sandbelt provides a complete travel experience that blends world-class golf with world-class lifestyle.
Be the first to secure your place at the 2026 Australian Open at Kingston Heath with Voyages.golf. By joining the waitlist, you’ll receive priority access to official travel packages as soon as they launch, including premium Melbourne accommodation, guaranteed tournament access, private transfers, and optional rounds of Sandbelt golf. With dates still to be announced and demand expected to be high, joining the waitlist ensures you stay ahead of the crowd and enjoy a seamless experience crafted by Australia’s leading golf travel specialists.
Free to join, no payment required. Get early access to This Event.
Exact dates are to be confirmed, but the championship is expected to take place in December 2026 at Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne. Join the Waitlist for announcements.
The event will be hosted at Kingston Heath Golf Club, one of the world’s most celebrated courses and a cornerstone of the Melbourne Sandbelt.
The Australian Open is a 72-hole stroke play event contested over four rounds, with a cut after 36 holes. In recent years, the championship has also included the Australian All Abilities Championship and introduced mixed-gender fields, making it one of the most inclusive tournaments in world golf.
Not yet. By joining our waitlist, you’ll enjoy priority access to official Voyages.golf packages as soon as they are released. Packages typically include premium Melbourne accommodation, guaranteed course access, private transfers, and optional Sandbelt golf.
Yes. Our team can extend your journey to include more golf courses around Melbourne’s Sandbelt, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula’s, King Island, Tasmania and Sydney or Adelaide.
Absolutely. Voyages.golf partners with travel agents, golf clubs, and societies to provide custom solutions for groups, including additional golf, sightseeing, and exclusive events.
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