Golf in Queenstown
The most beautiful golf valley in the southern hemisphere, where Jack's Point runs along Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables, The Hills hides behind Arrowtown's hills, and Millbrook spreads across an old farm under the peaks. Eight courses within twenty minutes of town. The courses that matter, the season and how to plan a trip.
Photograph: Jack's Point Golf Course, via Google
Why golf in Queenstown
Queenstown is the rarest kind of golf destination, a place where the scenery alone would justify the trip and the golf is world class on top. Within twenty minutes of the lakeside town sit eight courses, four of them genuine championship layouts, all set against the jagged peaks of The Remarkables and the waters of Lake Wakatipu. Jack's Point, the John Darby design that runs along the lake shore, is rated among the best in New Zealand and was named the country's finest at the 2020 World Golf Awards. The Hills, Darby's course near Arrowtown, has hosted the New Zealand Open, and Millbrook Resort spreads 27 holes shaped by Sir Bob Charles and Greg Turner across a historic farm.
The appeal is the combination. This is the adventure capital of New Zealand, so a golf trip folds in jet boats, wine in the Gibbston Valley, the Lord of the Rings landscapes and some of the country's best food and lodges, which makes it as good for a couple or a mixed group as for a buddies trip. Queenstown Airport has direct trans Tasman flights and easy connections from Auckland, the courses cluster tightly in one valley, and from spring to autumn the long southern days give endless time on fairways framed by mountains.
The areas
Jack's Point and the lake
The southern shore of Lake Wakatipu, where Jack's Point runs beneath The Remarkables, the signature setting of Queenstown golf and a short drive from town.
Arrowtown and The Hills
The historic gold mining village twenty minutes from town, home of The Hills and the Arrowtown club, a charming base of restaurants and autumn color.
Millbrook and Arthurs Point
The resort valley near Arrowtown, where Millbrook spreads its 27 holes, a spa and lodging across an old farm under the peaks, the simplest stay and play base.
Kelvin Heights
The peninsula across the lake from town, home of the Queenstown Golf Club, a scenic and beloved members course minutes from the centre.
The Gibbston Valley
The wine country east toward Cromwell, a nine hole course among the vines and the region's cellar doors, a relaxed add on for a non golf afternoon.
Central Queenstown
The lakeside town itself, the hub for hotels, dining, nightlife and the adventure activities, the social base within easy reach of every course.
The courses that matter
Jack's Point
The lakeside masterpiece beneath The Remarkables, rated among New Zealand's very best and the country's top course at the 2020 World Golf Awards, the must play round of the valley.
The Hills
Sir Michael Hill's course on the edge of Arrowtown, a former New Zealand Open host dotted with sculpture, exclusive and limited in access but unforgettable when you can play it.
Millbrook Resort
A 27 hole resort across a historic farm, the Coronet and Remarkables courses shaped by Greg Turner, with a hotel and spa, the easiest championship stay and play in the region.
Queenstown Golf Club
A scenic members course on a peninsula jutting into Lake Wakatipu, renowned for its setting and memorable holes, a beloved and accessible round minutes from town.
Arrowtown Golf Club
A quality club course in the gold mining village, a friendly and good value round through the willows and the autumn color, an enjoyable complement to the marquee names.
Gibbston Valley
A nine hole Greg Turner course among the vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, designed to sit in the natural contours, a relaxed round paired with the cellar doors.
Designers and years verified June 2026. Course profiles are added across the site as the directory grows. The Hills is a private course with limited visitor access, so always confirm availability and any access arrangement directly before planning.
The best golf courses in New Zealand Check tee time availability
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| December to February | Warm, long summer days | Peak golf season, the prime window, busiest and dearest |
| October to November and March to April | Cooler, spectacular spring or autumn color | Superb golf, quieter courses, the value sweet spot |
| June to August | Cold, the alpine ski season | Many courses closed or short, a skiing not golfing window |
Queenstown is in the southern hemisphere, so the golf season is the reverse of Europe and North America, running from spring through to autumn, with the long summer days of December to February the peak. Autumn brings the famous gold and red color of Arrowtown. Winter is ski season, when golf is limited. Always confirm tee times before you travel.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jack's Point or Millbrook | Around NZ$200 to NZ$400 | Season dependent, visitor rates |
| The Hills | On application | Private, limited access, premium |
| Queenstown or Arrowtown clubs | From around NZ$100 | Members courses, visitor green fees |
| A trip, all in | Around NZ$2,500 to NZ$5,000 per person | Good lodge, several rounds, excluding flights |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown in New Zealand dollars to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
Queenstown Airport sits a few minutes from town and has direct trans Tasman flights from Australia along with frequent connections from Auckland and Christchurch, making this remote corner of the South Island surprisingly easy to reach. The courses cluster within a twenty minute drive of the centre, so the daily golf is close, but a hire car is the simplest way to move between Jack's Point, the Arrowtown courses and the Gibbston Valley, and to explore the wider Southern Lakes. Drives are short and the scenery is the journey.
Where to stay
Millbrook Resort near Arrowtown is the natural golf base, with the courses, a spa and lodging on one estate, while central Queenstown puts the lake, the dining and the nightlife on the doorstep and every course within reach. Arrowtown offers a quieter, more characterful stay among the autumn color, and the region's luxury lodges deliver a special occasion base with the mountains as the view. One planner can match the base to your courses, your group and your dates, and fold in the wine, the lake and the adventure side.
Plan your Queenstown golf trip
Tell us the courses you want and roughly when. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Queenstown golf questions
When is the best time to play golf in Queenstown?
Queenstown is in the southern hemisphere, so the golf season runs from spring to autumn, roughly October to April, with long summer days from December to February the prime window. Spring and autumn bring spectacular color and quieter courses. Winter, from June to August, is the ski season, when many courses close or play short, so it suits skiers more than golfers.
Which is the best golf course in Queenstown?
Jack's Point, the John Darby design on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables, is ranked among the very best in New Zealand and was named the country's best course at the 2020 World Golf Awards. The Hills, the John Darby course near Arrowtown and a former New Zealand Open host, and Millbrook Resort, with its 27 holes shaped by Sir Bob Charles and Greg Turner, complete a world class trio in one valley.
How much does golf cost in Queenstown in 2026?
Indicative 2026 green fees at the championship courses run roughly NZ$200 to NZ$400 at Jack's Point and Millbrook, with The Hills higher and access limited. The club courses at Queenstown and Arrowtown are more modest, from around NZ$100. A Queenstown golf trip with a good lodge stay typically lands between NZ$2,500 and NZ$5,000 per head excluding flights. Always confirm directly before booking.
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