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Hole in One: Why Victoria is the Ultimate Golf Getaway Destination
Written by Sarah Wilkes
It’s time to practice your putt and make for the green because the world-class fairways around Victoria are calling.
Looking to get into the swing of things? Pack your bags and scrub your clubs, because as the game’s top players fly into Victoria for the upcoming 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open, there’s never been a better time to uncover Victoria’s fairway fantasylands. From championship layouts to beginner-friendly green, Victoria’s courses are on par with the world’s best – don’t put(t) off your golf getaway to Victoria any longer.
Read on to discover why Victoria makes the perfect golfing destination for your next trip.
What is the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open?
The ISPS HANDA Australian Open is one of the most prestigious golf events in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 150 years of golfing history. This year, the tournament is set to take place on two of Victoria’s world-class courses: Kingston Heath Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club, both located in Cheltenham in the famed Melbourne Sandbelt.
‘The event attracts a field of top-tier talent from across the globe, and attendees to this year’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open will have the chance to see the likes of Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Joaquin Niemann and Ashleigh Buhai. The Australian Open features a dual-gender format, with the men’s and women’s events played simultaneously on two separate courses. This means major championship winner Minjee Lee will be playing alongside her brother Min Woo Lee, both battling it out for their respective trophies. Plus, the Australian All Abilities Championship will be held in tandem with the Australian Open, showcasing some of the world’s best all-abilities players, like Australia’s home-grown talent Lachlan Wood.
Happening from 28 November to 1 December 2024, tickets for the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open are on sale now. It’s a spectacle for every golf lover, big and small, with an action-packed kids’ zone, food stalls and bars, and live entertainment. Ticketing options cover single-day attendance, weekend and four-day passes – and children (under 17 years old) attend for free.
Can’t make 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open? Find out where you can follow in the pros’ footsteps and have your own golfing holiday in Australia.
Where to have a golf getaway in Victoria
Melbourne Sandbelt
So named for its sandy soil, this region of the Victorian capital city is a golfers’ treasure trove, boasting eight exceptional courses located from Black Rock to Frankston. Its renown goes beyond Australia, attracting fairway fans from across the globe and has seen its courses host championships like the Johnnie Walker Classic (Royal Melbourne Golf Club), The Presidents Cup (Royal Melbourne Golf Club; Kingston Health Golf Club in 2028) and the World Cup of Golf (Metropolitan Golf Club).
A star of the Sandbelt is The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, recognised as one of the leading golf clubs in Australia (and frequently rated in the world’s top five). The club is home to two courses: the West Course (named the ‘Best Course in Australia 2024’ by Golf Australia) and the East Course (ranked number six in the country by Golf Australia).
Access to the courses within the Melbourne Sandbelt is limited to members, or international and interstate visitors who are themselves members of a registered golf club (then subject to availability). However, directly opposite The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, you’ll find the Sandy Golf Links course, a public course that is meticulously maintained by the same groundskeepers as its neighbour.
Mornington Peninsula
An hours’ drive out of Melbourne, and you’ll reach the seaside villages, rolling vines and golfing greens of the Mornington Peninsula. Here, course-hopping is a breeze, with the likes of Flinders Golf Club, Portsea Golf Club and The Dunes Golf Links only a short drive away from each other. And while you could easily tee off at any number of courses on a day trip from Melbourne, a plethora of things to do – including a wealth of 19th-hole experiences – warrants an overnight stay, or longer.
A noteworthy course is St Andrews Beach Golf Course. It’s a links-style course, so it sprawls across sandy land near the coast but has been carefully designed around natural valleys and native trees to shield its greens from harsh seaside conditions.
Another course to bookmark is RACV Cape Schanck Resort, an immaculately manicured 18-hole, par-70 championship golf course. Here, rounds of golf can go back-to-back with treatments at the day spa and feasts at the fine dining restaurant.
Don’t forget the 19th hole. Unwind with a blissful bathing experience at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, sinking into the waters across 22 mineral-rich indoor and outdoor pools. Round off your day with a meal and local wine at the onsite restaurant Thyme.
Bellarine Peninsula & Surf Coast
Home to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of Victoria’s best breaks, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast’s natural beauty is the perfect canvas for legendary golfing layouts. Plus, this side of Port Phillip Bay tends to be slightly quieter than its Mornington Peninsula counterpart, meaning tee-off times can be less competitive.
13th Beach Golf Lodges boasts two picturesque courses, the Creek and Beach Course. Each day, one course is set aside for members only and the other is opened to visitors – meaning those who book an overnight or two-night stay at the onsite accommodation have the option to play on both fairways. A recent addition to 13th Beach Golf Lodges is a nine-hole Short Course, available seven days a week. The accommodation options include a compact-yet-chic studio or a larger two-bedroom suite, ideal if you’re travelling with fellow golfers.
Another of the Surf Coast’s premier courses is located at The Sands Torquay. The 18-hole championship golf course was originally designed by Stuart Appleby – it’s home to a grass tee driving range and excellent practice facilities. Staying at the onsite accommodation includes access to the course; guests must otherwise register as a public member in order to book a tee-off time.
Other courses worth taking a swing at include Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Curlewis Golf Club, Lonsdale Links and The Links at Barwon Heads, which is one of Australia’s highest-ranked public-access courses, as noted in Golf Course Guide.
No matter where you test your putts and chips, end your game with a well-deserved 19th hole at The Dunes in Ocean Grove for drinks and oysters enjoyed on the ocean’s doorstep. If the weather isn’t permitting, seek out the cottage-like cellar door of Jack Rabbit Vineyard for award-winning cool climate wines or Bellarine Gin’s renovated farm shed, The Whiskery, for small-batch spirits.
Yarra Valley
In the Yarra Valley, the golf courses are on par with the wine. This picture-perfect pocket is just a quick 40-minute drive from Melbourne, making it the ideal quick fairway getaway. Looking for a 19th hole straight out of the gate? Turn swings into sips at world-class wineries and cellar doors, such as those at St Huberts, Helen and Joey Estate and Balgownie Estate.
At Heritage Golf & Country Club, two sprawling, member-only 18-hole courses unfold, set against the backdrop of Australia’s Great Dividing Range. Choose between a traditional links-style course, The Henley (designed by Tony Cashmore), or a more modern parkland-style course, St John, the work of Jack Nicklaus. Members of the club are permitted to bring guests to the courses, as well as the club’s driving range.
For those looking to explore the Yarra Valley more on their golfing getaway, RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort promises not only a 19-hole golf course designed by professional golfer Michael Clayton, but also a day spa, tennis court and pool. If you’re pushed for time between your tension-melting massage and mountain-view dinner, there’s also an express four-hole course featuring par 3 holes.
The Murray & Regional Victoria
The Murray River region, straddling the border between Victoria and New South Wales, is home to some of the best publicly accessible (and best value) courses. The Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club is Australia’s largest public access golf resort; the 45-hole masterpiece – split between three courses – has been a sanctuary for golfers since 1897. Rich River’s two championship courses cater to all skill levels and the highly regarded Murry Downs Golf & Country Club is another excellent option.
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