The Hills
John Darby laid out The Hills in 2007 across a glacial valley near Arrowtown for jeweller Sir Michael Hill, a par 72 of about 6,596 metres set among monumental sculptures and 360 degree mountain views. A long time host of the New Zealand Open, it is one of the most spectacular and most private rounds in the country.
Photo: The Hills Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
The Hills is Sir Michael Hill's private course outside Arrowtown, a few minutes from Queenstown, designed by John Darby of Darby Partners and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open. Spread over a wide glacial valley with no parallel fairways and no two holes alike, it is a par 72 of about 6,596 metres that frames every shot with snow capped peaks and the great schist tors that rise out of the ground.
Our verdict is that The Hills is as much an experience as a golf course, a manicured alpine parkland dotted with large scale sculpture that has become part of its identity. The golf is generous off the tee and sharper around the greens, and while access is private, it is one of the rounds that defines a Queenstown golf trip alongside its near neighbours.
The Hills at a glance
- Opened
- 2007
- Designer
- John Darby, Darby Partners
- Type
- Alpine parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,596 m
- Green fee
- By arrangement
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from The Hills Golf Club and leading course databases. The course was designed by John Darby of Darby Partners and opened in 2007, a par 72 of about 6,596 metres that has hosted the New Zealand Open. Green fees are by arrangement and seasonal; treat any figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Hills uses its valley setting to dramatic effect, with elevated tees giving you the whole hole laid out below and the mountains beyond. There are no parallel fairways, so each hole feels private, and the fairways are wide enough to swing freely before the challenge tightens around the greens.
Water and wetlands come into play through the lower holes, and the schist tors that punctuate the property act as both backdrop and hazard. The greens are the defence, large and contoured, and the cooler alpine air means the ball travels less than first time visitors expect, so club up and trust the number.
The closing stretch plays back toward the clubhouse and the sculpture park, a fitting finish to a round that is constantly photogenic. Pace yourself for the scenery as much as the golf, because at The Hills the surroundings are a genuine part of the test.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitor play by prior arrangement, often through a Queenstown golf tour operator |
| Green fee | Premium visitor rate when access is available; indicative 2026, always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Arrange well ahead through the club or an operator; visitor windows are limited and close around tournament weeks |
| On the day | Carts available; bring warm layers for the alpine conditions even in summer; smart golf attire |
| Getting there | Arrowtown, about 25 minutes from Queenstown Airport and 20 minutes from central Queenstown |
| Best months | November to April for the southern summer, when the valley is at its most playable |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; The Hills is private and visitor access varies, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers base themselves in Arrowtown or Queenstown, both within easy reach of The Hills and full of excellent lodging, dining and the wider attractions of one of the great adventure towns. The resort and lodge options around Arrowtown put you minutes from the first tee.
It is an ideal area to build a multi course trip, pairing The Hills with its near neighbours so a few days in the Queenstown basin can take in several of the South Island's best rounds without long drives.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near The Hills.
Build a Queenstown golf trip
We work on securing access to The Hills where it is available, pair it with the best of the Queenstown basin and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The Hills questions
Who designed The Hills and when did it open?
The Hills was designed by John Darby of Darby Partners for Sir Michael Hill and opened in 2007, when it first hosted the New Zealand Open near Arrowtown.
What is the par and length of The Hills?
The Hills is a par 72 championship course of about 6,596 metres, set across a glacial valley with elevated tees and no two holes alike.
Can visitors play The Hills?
The Hills is a private members club, so visitor play is by prior arrangement only, usually through the club or a Queenstown golf tour operator. Arrange access well in advance.
What makes The Hills special?
Beyond the John Darby design, The Hills is known for its monumental sculpture collection, its 360 degree mountain views and its history as a New Zealand Open venue, making it as much an experience as a round of golf.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access arrangements verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.