NEW ZEALAND GOLF TOURS

Week 1 - Best of the North Island

Week 2 - Best of the South Island

We will collect guests from Auckland International Airport or from their Auckland accommodation ready for a departure to New Zealand's Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is one of the most picturesque and popular holiday sites in New Zealand, combining great outdoor experiences with some of New Zealand's most significant historic sites. Your accommodation is at the Edgewater Palms 5-star apartments, located along the waterfront in Paihia and a short walk into town. On arriving in Paihia, there will be an opportunity to explore this picturesque and historic area of New Zealand.

Today you visit and play at Kauri Cliffs. This is a real golfing highlight with superb facilities and world-class playing surfaces which has fifteen of its holes with views of the Pacific Ocean. The setting and scenery are truly breath-taking and it is easy to see why it was placed 25th in the Top 100 Courses in the World for 2009/2010 by Golf Digest.

This morning we have organised a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life. Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock - hold your breath as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the rock walls which soar above you. Take in the Grand Cathedral Cave before heading back into the sheltered waters of the Bay and an island stopover at the historic Urapukapuka Island reserve. Should anyone prefer not to go on the cruise, we can organise golf for them at one of the local golf courses.

In the afternoon we drive to Auckland where your Auckland city accommodation is at the CityLife Hotel, a 4-star stylish and sophisticated hotel conveniently located on Queen Street, Auckland's business, shopping and entertainment heart. This evening we have arranged a dinner at Sky City's Orbit Restaurant which offers fine dining and spectacular views of the city and the surrounding region.

We take the 3-hour drive to Taupo where you will play Wairakei International Golf Course which is rated by many locals as New Zealand's best course. It is a top course set in beautiful parkland surroundings. This evening you dine at the Vine Eatery at Scenic Cellars; this is a great dining experience with the restaurant actually in the wine shop where the wine shop is your wine list. Your accommodation is at the 5-star Baycrest Lodge Motel in spacious lake view studio units with spa bath or ground floor studio units with private courtyard and thermal tub. Taupo, renowned for its great trout fishing, has many activities and attractions and is an attractive town situated on the lakefront.

We take the 2-hour drive to Napier where you play golf at Cape Kidnappers, ranked as one of the world's top golf courses. Designed by legendary golf architect, Tom Doak, this spectacular golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Cape Kidnappers is currently ranked 41st golf course in the world by Golf Magazine. This truly stunning course combines a superb playing surface, great layout and magnificent views.

This evening you dine at the Old Church Restaurant; set amongst the vines with a stunning aspect, the unswerving attention to detail and luxurious decor make this a stunning Hawke's Bay landmark. The unique experience of the Old Church will be a memory to treasure.

Your accommodation is at the Pebble Beach Motor Inn which provides luxury accommodation on Napier's waterfront.

Today we will take you on a tour of some of the region's wineries. This afternoon we depart the Hawke's Bay and take the 2-hour drive to Taupo where your accommodation is again at the 5-star Baycrest Lodge Motel. This evening take time to browse the town of Taupo and dine at one of its many restaurants.

This morning you play the Kinloch Club golf course. Kinloch allows its setting to shape each hole, using the natural features and surroundings. The Jack Nicklaus designed Kinloch Club course was ranked inside the top 10 new golf courses in the world for 2007 by the prestigious US Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine, making it the only course outside of North America to be included in the top 10.

After golf, we take the 1-hour drive to Rotorua where your accommodation is at the 5-star Regal Palms resort. This evening enjoy the Mitai Beauty by Night experience which includes concert, hangi (dinner), guided bush walk/night tour of Rainbow Springs where you can get up close with many of New Zealand's nocturnal creatures, including the kiwi. Rotorua is one of New Zealand's popular tourist destinations and famous for its thermal activity and recognised as a Maori cultural centre.

We take the 3-hour drive to Auckland International Airport for your departing flight. Start Week 2, Best of the South Island!

Welcome to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! It is our pleasure to host you in this amazing resort town and we expect you will enjoy every moment of your visit. With world class cuisine and a vibrant and social nightlife on offer there is plenty to keep you entertained in the town during the evenings. During the day (while not golfing of course!) there are a huge number of activities to enjoy. From world famous adventure activities like Jetboating and bungy jumping to winery visits and lake cruises, there truly is something for everyone in Queenstown! Ask us for advice if you can't decide, we're here to assist any way we can.

We will meet you at Queenstown Airport and transfer to your accommodation at Crowne Plaza Queenstown.

Today you'll play Millbrook Resort, New Zealand resort golf at its best. Set in a natural, alpine amphitheatre, the golf course at Millbrook exploits the dramatic terrain fully, delivering world-class golf. Millbrook is quite simply a fantastic golf resort. The original 18-hole, par 72 championship course was designed by renowned professional and master golfer, Sir Bob Charles. It features four different tee positions for complete enjoyment at all levels of playing expertise. Millbrook has recently added 9 outstanding new holes, boosting Millbrook's reputation as one of New Zealand's best resort courses. Following round, return to your accommodation.

Today you'll play the South Island's top rated Jacks Point. Set within a 3,000 acre nature preserve on the shores of Lake Wakatipu this 18 hole 72-par golf course is designed by John Darby, of Darby Partners. The 7150 yard (6538 metre) course is bounded by the Remarkables Mountain Range and Lake Wakatipu. It traverses through wetland to the Lake edge encountering steep bluffs, indigenous vegetation and wildlife. It is designed to work with nature, not against it. Fairways are designed with minimal excavation and careful plantings to complement the natural environment, but also to give the golfer a fighting chance. Following your round you'll be returned to your accommodation.

Leisure day. Today you can take time to absorb the surroundings of Queenstown. Take a tour of the Gibbston Valley wineries, a Shotover Jet boat ride, 4WD safari into Lord of the Rings scenes, scenic tours of Milford Sound or choose from endless other options. Queenstown is known as the "adventure capital of the world" and as locals we're more than happy to make recommendations and arrangements for things to you to do.

Today you'll play the Queenstown Golf Club, regarded as New Zealand's most scenic course. Situated on the Kelvin Heights Peninsula, surrounded by Lake Wakatipu. It is not an overly long course but the tight, undulating fairways and greens can challenge golfer's on every hole.

With the Remarkables mountain range as a backdrop on one side and Queenstown on the other, the scenery at Kelvin Heights has been known to get the better of many golfers. Dogleg holes are prominent here and pine trees line most fairways, meaning accuracy is key to scoring well. Bring your camera along, there are some remarkable photo opportunities to be taken!

Today you'll be transferred 20 minutes near Arrowtown to play the The Hills Private golf club. Opened in 2007, is set over 101 hectares of former deer farm on the outskirts of Arrowtown in Central Otago. The Mill race winds its way through the property and feeds the ten lakes and various ponds on the golf course. Trees, both native and exotic, are a feature of the course. The wetland area have been expanded, planted out with varieties of New Zealand flax, toetoe, the ubiquitous cabbage tree and wetland grasses and reeds. More than 50,000 red and silver tussock plants create a spectacular visual statement. Winter snow and frost conditions provide the ideal climate to grow fine grasses preferred for modern day golf.

A leisure day. Additional games of golf can be arranged at extra cost. Arrowtown Golf Club is a great local course with lots of charm and character. Otherwise, we recommend a lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak station for a farming demonstration and a lunch at the base of Walter Peak. A day trip to Arrowtown for some shopping and a visit to the Chinese mining village are of interest and a winery lunch at Amisfield is a great way to enjoy top cuisine in a beautiful Central Otago setting.

Final day - departure from Queenstown to Auckland to connect for your flight home.