5 Day New Zealand South Island Golf Itinerary
Mountain golf at the edge of the world: from the Canterbury plains at Clearwater across the Southern Alps to Queenstown, where Jack's Point, Millbrook and The Hills sit beneath the Remarkables on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. Five days of scenery few rounds anywhere can match.
Photo: Jack's Point, Queenstown via Google.
Who this trip suits
The South Island is golf as landscape. The courses are good, but the reason to come is the setting: snow capped peaks, glacial lakes and tussock country, all crammed into a five day loop from Christchurch to Queenstown. This itinerary opens on the Canterbury plains, takes the spectacular drive over the Lindis Pass, and settles in Queenstown for the marquee trio of Jack's Point, Millbrook and The Hills.
It suits players who want a bucket list trip where the photographs matter as much as the scores, happy with a long scenic drive in the middle and a touring pace. Non golfers are spoilt in Queenstown, with the lake, the wineries of Central Otago and the adventure on the doorstep. For a longer loop, see our 7 day New Zealand golf itinerary and North Island itinerary.
The 5 day plan
Clearwater, Christchurch
Arrive in Christchurch and open at Clearwater, a championship course minutes from the airport designed by John Darby in consultation with Sir Bob Charles. Set among spring fed lakes on the Canterbury plains, it has hosted professional events and makes an easy, scenic first round to find your feet before the mountains.
Christchurch to Queenstown
The travel day is part of the trip: drive south through the Mackenzie Country past Lake Tekapo and over the Lindis Pass into Central Otago, one of the great road journeys. Break it with lunch at Tekapo and arrive in Queenstown by evening, or fly the leg in an hour and add a round if time allows.
Jack's Point
The headline round. Jack's Point, a John Darby design ranked the best course on the South Island, runs along the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, threading through wetland, bluffs and tussock to the lake edge. A spectacular, walkable course and the reason most golfers come to Queenstown.
Millbrook Resort
A short drive to Arrowtown and Millbrook, the long time home of the New Zealand Open, set in a natural alpine bowl with the mountains all around. Thirty six holes of resort golf, a spa and fine dining, and an easy day that pairs serious golf with the comforts of a base for the night.
The Hills, Arrowtown
Finish at The Hills, the private John Darby course near Arrowtown created by Sir Michael Hill and known for its sculptures and its run as a New Zealand Open venue. Access is arranged in advance rather than booked casually, which makes it a fitting, exclusive finale before flying out of Queenstown.
Course facts verified June 2026 from the clubs and recognized rankings: Jack's Point and Clearwater by John Darby (Clearwater in consultation with Sir Bob Charles), The Hills a private John Darby design and New Zealand Open host, and Millbrook the long time home of the New Zealand Open. Access, conditioning and fees change, so always confirm directly before booking.
Green fees, drive times and logistics
| Round | Indicative 2026 fee | Drive and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater | About 150 to 220 NZD | Minutes from Christchurch airport |
| Christchurch to Queenstown | Travel day | About 5.5 to 6 hrs by road, or 1 hr flight |
| Jack's Point | About 250 to 350 NZD | About 20 min from Queenstown |
| Millbrook | About 200 to 320 NZD, resort rates | About 25 min to Arrowtown |
| The Hills | Private, guest access; premium, confirm | Arrowtown; arrange well in advance |
A hire car is essential, or fly the Christchurch to Queenstown leg and base in Queenstown for the rest. Find a Queenstown base.
When to go and where to stay
The southern summer, November to April, is the season, with long daylight and warm days, though Queenstown plays year round and the autumn colours of Arrowtown in April are spectacular. Base one night in Christchurch, then Queenstown or Arrowtown for the mountain rounds, walking distance from the town's restaurants and the lake. Book The Hills access first, then Jack's Point and Millbrook around it, and reserve the scenic drive a clear day so you are not rushing the passes.
Get this itinerary booked
The Hills' private access and Jack's Point's summer tee sheet are the bottlenecks, and the route works best with the car or the internal flight and the bases arranged together. Tell us your dates and group and a concierge confirms the rounds, the drive and the Queenstown hotel, costed to the head with no obligation.
New Zealand South Island itinerary questions
Can you play the best South Island courses in five days?
Yes. The route pairs Clearwater near Christchurch with the Queenstown trio of Jack's Point, Millbrook and The Hills, using the scenic drive or a short flight to connect the two regions. Five days comfortably covers four rounds with one travel day, all within easy reach of a Queenstown base.
Is Jack's Point open to visitors?
Yes. Jack's Point, ranked the best course on the South Island, welcomes visiting golfers by tee time booking, about twenty minutes from Queenstown on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. It is the round most golfers build a South Island trip around, so book it early in the southern summer.
Can you play The Hills?
The Hills near Arrowtown is a private club, played by members and guests and host of the New Zealand Open, so access is arranged in advance rather than booked as a casual round. It makes an exclusive finale, and we confirm access when planning the trip.
When is the best time for a South Island golf trip?
The southern summer, November to April, gives the longest daylight and warmest weather, while April adds the autumn colours of Arrowtown. Queenstown golf runs year round, but winter brings snow to the peaks and shorter days, so the summer half is the prime window.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified June 2026; green fees indicative for the 2026 season, always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.