New Zealand vs Tasmania for Golf
Two of the most spectacular golf destinations on earth, both at the bottom of the world and both worth the long flight. New Zealand answers with the clifftop theatre of Cape Kidnappers, the dunes of Te Arai and the all but unattainable Tara Iti. Tasmania counters with the pure, walkable links of Barnbougle and the wild beauty of King Island. Here is the head to head, verdict up front.
Photograph: Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, via Google
The verdict
For scenery, variety and a trip that travels well, New Zealand wins. No country pairs golf with landscape quite like it: Tom Doak's Cape Kidnappers runs out along fingers of cliff high above Hawke's Bay, Tara Iti and the two Te Arai Links courses north of Auckland sit among the very best in the world, and Kauri Cliffs adds another clifftop spectacle in the far north. The golf slots easily into a fuller New Zealand itinerary of wine, mountains and the South Island, which is much of the appeal. The catch is access and cost: Tara Iti is intensely private and the flagship resorts are premium.
For pure links golf and value, Tasmania makes a powerful case. Barnbougle Dunes by Tom Doak and Lost Farm by Bill Coore sit side by side on the northeast coast as one of the great links double acts anywhere, firm, walkable and built for the ground game, while across Bass Strait on King Island the modern wonders of Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes hug some of the most dramatic coastline in golf. It is a more concentrated, more affordable, more purist trip. Pick New Zealand for the spectacle and the variety, Tasmania for a walking links pilgrimage that costs less.
Head to head
| New Zealand | Tasmania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature courses | Cape Kidnappers, Tara Iti, Te Arai Links North and South, Kauri Cliffs, Jack's Point | Barnbougle Dunes, Lost Farm, Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes on King Island |
| The headline | Clifftop theatre and world top ten golf, paired with one of the great travel countries | Pure, walkable, ground game links on a wild and remote coast, at lower cost |
| Design pedigree | Tom Doak at Cape Kidnappers and Tara Iti, with Te Arai and Kauri Cliffs adding star power | Tom Doak at Barnbougle Dunes, Bill Coore at Lost Farm, modern links at Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes |
| Style of golf | Dramatic clifftop and dunes golf, often cart assisted on the big resort layouts | Classic, firm, fast, walking links golf built for the bump and run |
| Green fees | Indicative 2026 premium at the flagship resorts; Tara Iti is private and exclusive | Indicative 2026 generally lower; strong value for the quality of the golf |
| Getting around | Hawke's Bay and the Te Arai or Tara Iti cluster north of Auckland, with longer hops to the South Island | Launceston for Barnbougle, plus a light aircraft hop across Bass Strait to King Island |
| Best season | November to April for the long days and most settled weather | November to April; windy and changeable, which is part of the links experience |
| Beyond golf | Wine, mountains, fjords, Maori culture and a full South Pacific trip | Food and wine, wilderness and the wildlife of King Island; quieter and more focused |
| Who it suits | Golfers who want spectacle, variety and a bigger holiday around the golf | Links purists and walkers chasing the best value great golf at the edge of the world |
Course designers and details verified June 2026; indicative fees and access vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick New Zealand if
You want the most spectacular golf on the planet wrapped inside a once in a lifetime holiday. Base in Hawke's Bay for Cape Kidnappers, chase the dunes of Te Arai and, if you can secure it, the magic of Tara Iti north of Auckland, then add the South Island for the scenery. You accept premium fees and tight access at the very top in exchange for variety and a trip that is about far more than the golf.
Pick Tasmania if
You want pure walking links golf and the best value of any great golf destination in the world. Base at Barnbougle for the Dunes and Lost Farm, then take the short flight to King Island for Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes on the wild Bass Strait coast. It is more compact, more affordable and more about the golf itself, a proper links pilgrimage for the player who loves the ground game.
Plan your trip to the edge of the world
New Zealand, Tasmania or a combined Antipodean golf odyssey. Tell us who is travelling and roughly when, and one concierge handles the tee times, the access introductions and the bases, costed to the head, with no obligation.
Keep planning: New Zealand vs Tasmania for Golf golf
New Zealand vs Tasmania questions
Is New Zealand or Tasmania better for a golf trip?
New Zealand wins for scenery and variety, with the clifftop drama of Cape Kidnappers, the dunes of Te Arai and the ultra-exclusive Tara Iti, all of it easy to pair with a wider South Pacific itinerary. Tasmania wins for pure, walkable links golf and value, built around Barnbougle Dunes, Lost Farm and the wild courses of King Island. Choose New Zealand for the spectacle and the variety, Tasmania for a links purist's trip that is easier on the wallet.
Is golf cheaper in Tasmania than New Zealand?
Generally yes. Tasmania's marquee courses at Barnbougle and on King Island carry lower green fees than New Zealand's flagship resorts, and the whole trip tends to cost less. New Zealand's best, especially Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and Tara Iti, sit at the premium end. Both are indicative 2026 figures that change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in New Zealand or Tasmania?
The southern summer and shoulder seasons, roughly November to April, are the prime windows for both, with the longest days and the most settled weather. Tasmania and the New Zealand links can be windy and changeable at any time, which is part of the appeal. Winter golf is possible but cooler and wetter, especially in the far south.
Can you combine New Zealand and Tasmania in one trip?
Yes, though they are a flight apart across the Tasman Sea. A combined trip usually pairs the New Zealand North Island clusters with a few days at Barnbougle and King Island via Melbourne. For most golfers it is cleaner to give each its own visit, but we can route a combined itinerary around the courses, the access and the internal flights.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Course openings, ranking shake ups and the booking windows that matter. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers and details verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.