Lake Karrinyup
Designed by Alister MacKenzie's Australian collaborator Alex Russell and opened in 1930, Lake Karrinyup is the most admired private club in Perth. A par 72 of about 6,531 metres, it folds around its namesake lake through tea tree and tuart, and has hosted European Tour and professional events on the world stage.
Photo: Dhishan Perera via Google.
The verdict
Lake Karrinyup is Western Australia's most celebrated private club, laid out by Alex Russell, the Australian amateur champion who served as Alister MacKenzie's partner on the great sandbelt courses. Russell designed it in 1928 and the course opened in 1930, and the MacKenzie influence shows in the bold bunkering and the clever, contoured greens.
It is a course that has earned its rankings and its tournament pedigree, having staged the Perth International on the European Tour and the women's Australian Open among other events. For the visiting golfer it is the headline private round in Perth, a mature and beautifully kept parkland test wrapped around water and native bush.
Lake Karrinyup Country Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1930
- Designer
- Alex Russell
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,531 m
- Green fee
- Members and guests
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Lake Karrinyup Country Club and leading course databases. The course was designed by Alex Russell, MacKenzie's Australian collaborator, in 1928 and opened in 1930, a par 72 of about 6,531 metres. Lake Karrinyup is a private members club with limited visitor access, so always confirm access and any guest rate directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
The course takes its name and its character from Lake Karrinyup, the wetland that comes into play across the lower holes and gives the property its serenity and its bite. Russell routed the holes through stands of tuart and tea tree, and the elevation changes are greater than a first time visitor expects in suburban Perth.
The bunkering carries the MacKenzie school stamp, sand flashed and strategic, asking the player to choose a side off the tee for the best angle in. The greens are the heart of the defense, firm and full of subtle movement, and they reward a player who controls trajectory and spin.
From the championship tees it stretches past 6,500 metres and tests the best, which is why the professionals have enjoyed it, yet from the forward tees it remains a fair and rewarding members course. The blend of strategy, conditioning and natural setting is what keeps Lake Karrinyup near the top of every Western Australian ranking.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors play through a member, a reciprocal club or an approved golf tour |
| Green fee | Guest and visitor rates arranged through the club; no public walk up fee (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange well in advance; weekdays are easiest for visitor and reciprocal play |
| On the day | Carts and caddies can be arranged; a smart golf dress standard applies |
| Getting there | Karrinyup in Perth's northern suburbs, about 20 to 30 minutes from the city |
| Best months | September to November and March to May for mild, drier conditions |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Lake Karrinyup is private and policies change, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The club sits in the northern suburbs near Karrinyup and the coast, so a base along the Sunset Coast or in central Perth keeps it within twenty to thirty minutes. The city offers the full range of hotels and dining, and the nearby beaches and the Swan Valley round out a Perth golf trip.
Because access is private, most visitors play Lake Karrinyup as part of a wider Perth itinerary arranged in advance, pairing it with the public drama of Joondalup and the coastal links character of Cottesloe. It is the round that anchors a serious golf trip to the west.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
Build a Perth golf trip
We arrange access at Lake Karrinyup where the club allows, pair it with the best of Perth and book the lodging around your group. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Lake Karrinyup Country Club questions
Who designed Lake Karrinyup?
Lake Karrinyup was designed by Alex Russell, the Australian amateur champion and Alister MacKenzie's collaborator on the Melbourne sandbelt courses. He laid it out in 1928 and the course opened in 1930.
What is the par and length of Lake Karrinyup?
It is a par 72 measuring about 6,531 metres from the championship tees, a mature parkland course wrapped around its namesake lake.
Has Lake Karrinyup hosted tournaments?
Yes. The club has staged professional events including the Perth International on the European Tour and the women's Australian Open, reflecting its standing among Australia's best courses.
Can visitors play Lake Karrinyup?
Lake Karrinyup is a private members club with limited visitor access, generally through a member, a reciprocal club or an approved golf tour. Contact the club well in advance to arrange play.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.