Heritage Golf & Country Club (Henley course)

Heritage Golf & Country Club (Henley course): Two stunning and contrasting championship golf courses await at the Heritage Golf & Country Club, located alongside Sebel's Heritage Yarra Valley hotel. The original St John course sits closest to the resort and clubhouse, just south of the passing Yarra River. Across a small bridge on the river's north bank, you'll find the equally impressive Henley course. Laid out in a wonderfully natural and predominantly wetland environment, the course is overlooked by scenic hills that are covered in a mix of swaying grasses, trees and Yarra Valley vineyards. Tony Cashmore's challenging and relatively open layout, incorporates good-width, gently undulating fairways that glide past more water hazards than you can shake a stick at. A veritable feast of rustic-styled, rough-edged bunkering is also present. Although flatter, the front-nine has a few nicely elevated tees and also one or two blind drives to make. Just as you think the course will retain its wetland character right to the end, the par-5 13th leads you away from the water and into a picturesque valley, where kangaroos laze on the grassy hillsides. The par-4 14th presents another surprising change of scene as you head uphill to the highest part of the course, from where the views are fabulous. After negotiating a tee-to-green carry over water at the 15th, you tumble back downhill again at the long par-4 16th. Together with the original St John course, the Heritage offers one of Melbourne's best Stay & Play venues, with both its excellent courses not usually accessible on an outside visitor, daily play basis.