Cape Kidnappers vs Kauri Cliffs
The two great clifftop courses of New Zealand, sisters in the same luxury lodge group, on opposite ends of the North Island. Cape Kidnappers is Tom Doak's vertiginous masterpiece on a Hawke's Bay headland. Kauri Cliffs is the subtropical, ocean wrapped beauty of Northland's Bay of Islands. Both are bucket list golf at the bottom of the world. Here is the head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, Hawke's Bay, via Google
The verdict
For the golf itself, Cape Kidnappers wins. Tom Doak's 2004 design, built with Eric Iverson on a vast sheep station headland in Hawke's Bay, is one of the most dramatic and most acclaimed courses on earth, its finger fairways running out toward cliffs that plunge some four hundred feet to the Pacific. The par 71 is a feat of routing and nerve, the closing stretch is unforgettable, and it sits high on every world ranking. If you are coming for the architecture and the single most thrilling round, this is the one.
For the setting and the wider holiday, Kauri Cliffs wins. David Harman's 2000 design above Matauri Bay in subtropical Northland is a par 72 where most of the holes look out over the ocean and a handful run along the cliffs, with a private beach, warm Bay of Islands weather and one of New Zealand's finest lodges alongside. It is gentler, greener and more of an all round escape, and it has been refreshed by a Rees Jones redesign. Choose Cape Kidnappers for the golf, Kauri Cliffs for the scenery and the holiday, and if you can, play both.
Head to head
| Cape Kidnappers | Kauri Cliffs | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay, near Napier, central east North Island | Matauri Bay, Northland, Bay of Islands, far north North Island |
| Designer | Tom Doak with Eric Iverson, opened 2004 | David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, opened 2000; later refreshed by Rees Jones |
| Par and length | Par 71, around 7,100 yards from the back tees | Par 72, around 7,100 yards from the back tees |
| Signature | Finger fairways on a headland with cliffs falling hundreds of feet to the sea; a routing of real daring | Most holes with an ocean view, a run along the cliffs, a subtropical setting and a private beach |
| Green fees | Indicative international visitor fee around 850 New Zealand dollars; residents pay much less | Indicative high season international fee around 700 to 850 New Zealand dollars; residents pay much less |
| Climate and season | Exposed and windy on its headland; best November to April | Subtropical and milder year round; best November to April |
| Best for | The golf purist after world class architecture and drama | The all round escape, scenery, climate and a wider holiday |
Designers, opening years, par and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026; fees move with season and exchange rates, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Cape Kidnappers if
You are a golf architecture enthusiast and you want the single most thrilling round in the southern hemisphere. You are drawn to Tom Doak's daring routing, the finger fairways and the vertigo of the clifftop holes, you do not mind the wind that comes with an exposed headland, and the golf itself is the reason for the journey. It pairs naturally with Hawke's Bay wine country and a wider North Island tour.
Pick Kauri Cliffs if
You want the most beautiful setting and a complete luxury escape rather than a pure golf pilgrimage. You like the idea of a subtropical Bay of Islands base, warm weather, ocean views from almost every hole and a private beach to round out the day, and you are happy with a gentler, more forgiving course. It suits couples and groups who want the scenery and the lodge as much as the golf.
Plan your New Zealand golf trip
Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs or an ambitious North Island tour that takes in both, with the third sister lodge at Queenstown for the South Island. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge secures the lodge stays, the tee times and the transfers, and costs it to the head, with no obligation. These lodges book months ahead, so the sooner we start the better.
Cape Kidnappers vs Kauri Cliffs questions
Is Cape Kidnappers or Kauri Cliffs better?
Both are world ranked clifftop courses at luxury lodges run by the same family, and the ideal trip plays both, but they are different experiences. Cape Kidnappers, a Tom Doak design on a headland in Hawke's Bay, is the more celebrated piece of golf architecture, with finger fairways running out toward cliffs that fall hundreds of feet to the Pacific. Kauri Cliffs, a David Harman design in the subtropical Bay of Islands of Northland, is the more scenic and more relaxed, with most holes looking out over the ocean and a beach and warmer climate alongside. Choose Cape Kidnappers for the golf, Kauri Cliffs for the setting and the wider holiday.
How much does it cost to play Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs?
Both price golf as a premium lodge experience. The indicative green fee for international visitors at each course has been around 850 New Zealand dollars at Cape Kidnappers, with Kauri Cliffs in a similar high season band of roughly 700 to 850 New Zealand dollars; New Zealand residents pay substantially less. Rates apply at both sister properties and access is generally tied to staying at the lodge or arranging a visitor tee time. These are indicative figures that move with season, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs?
The New Zealand summer and shoulder seasons, roughly November to April, are the prime window for both, with warm, settled weather and long days. Northland, where Kauri Cliffs sits, is subtropical and stays milder year round, while Hawke's Bay at Cape Kidnappers is exposed on its headland and the wind is a constant factor. For the most reliable conditions at either, aim for the heart of the southern summer.
Do you have to stay at the lodge to play?
Not always, but it is the natural way to do it. Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs are part of the same New Zealand lodge group, now with hospitality run by Rosewood, and both are geared around resident guests, though visitor tee times can be arranged subject to availability. Because both are remote and tee times are limited, the realistic way to play is to book a lodge stay or have a trip planner secure the round well in advance. Always confirm access directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening years and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.