Kauri Cliffs

Tepene Tablelands Rd,

Matauri Bay, Northland

  • Office

    +64 (0)9 407 0010
  • Pro shop

    +64 (0)9 407 0060
  • Fax

    +64 (0)9 407 0061
  • Golf pro

    Mitch McMurty (Head Golf Professional).

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links-style. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb (most players use a golf cart).

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal cliffs and rural countryside.

  • Designer:

    David Harman

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Metres
6510
5560
4476
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope
74.8
69.7
67.4

At the same location:

Above distances in yards: back tees 7119 yds; mens front 6070 yds; womens front 4897 yds.

Location

Latitude:

-35.076651

Longitude:

173.922532

How to get there:

26 km N of Waipapa / 100 km N of Whangarei

From Auckland Harbour Bridge travel north on the Hwy 1. After approx 225 km, turn onto Hwy 10 direction Kerikeri. After approx 32 km turn right off Hwy 10 direction Matauri Bay. After 12 km turn right direction Kauri Cliffs. Follow road for 2km to Kauri Cliffs gate. (Approx 4.5 hours drive from Auckland).

Kauri Cliffs

5-star: Fabulous – courses don’t get much better than this.

Est. 2004

Kauri Cliffs: Prepare to be amazed - this is golf at its most spectacular. It doesn't matter which way you look from this open, undulating and expansive layout, the stunning ocean views and unspoilt naturalness of the environment will have you reeling off superlatives aplenty. Shark's teeth-like offshore islands, coastal headlands and sandy covers are all constantly in view from both the golf course and the luxurious 5-star Lodge.

The golf course is fabulously sculpted. By the time you hit the closing stretch, which takes you along the cliffs' edge, you will already be in raptures over Dave Harman's fair but challenging design. Although trees are quite a rarity on this open and wind prone layout, there are several deep ravines full of abundant vegetation, which you'll need to cross both with ball and buggy.

With a few longish carries to make onto the generally good-width fairways, you should choose your tees carefully, although many of the back-tee locations are well worth a visit for the curious and (playing-wise) for lower handicappers. At the par-5 8th you tee-off virtually from the ocean itself.

Although excellently crafted, the stylish bunkering becomes almost incidental in such a wonderfully natural and scenic location. Here at Kauri Cliffs the vistas onto the Pacific Ocean and Cavalli Islands have a tendency to steal the show. As with several of the world's greatest courses (of which Kauri Cliffs is definitely one), the green fee may leave a bit of a dent in your pocket, but the golfing experience is not to be missed.

Stay&Play at Kauri Cliffs: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.

List of courses: NZ - North Island

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Overseas visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (Oct thru' May): NZ$739; Aus golfer NZ$565; NZ golfer NZ$391.

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play rates, etc. [Last updated: 2024].

Other information

Non-metal spike facility. Walking permitted. Golf carts available for hire. Caddies and forecaddies available.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

Wealthy American businessman and regular New Zealand resident, Julian Robertson, had the vision to create and establish Kauri Cliffs as a top-level luxury resort, one of the world's most desirable golf stay and play locations. Also in the Robertson stable of NZ golf courses is the equally spectacular Cape Kidnappers course.

A huge 900-year old Kauri tree stands in a copse of trees on the way into the resort - it is well worth stopping to take a look.

Published ranking

New Zealand's 7th best course (Australian Golf Digest, 2023/24).
World's former 94th best course (GOLF Magazine 2015; not in subsequent editions of this ranking).

Where2Stay

  • Rosewood Kauri Cliffs5-star

    Matauri Bay Rd, Matauri Bay, Northland

    +64 (0)9 407 0100

    Visit website

    Set on 6,000 acres near Matauri Bay, the Lodge at Kauri Cliffs offers spectacular 180-degree views of Cape Brett, the offshore Cavalli Islands and the Pacific Ocean. The Lodge accommodation includes 22 guest suites, and a two-bedroom owner’s cottage. Every suite has a private porch, open fireplace, walk-in wardrobe and luxury bathroom.

    The resort facilities include tennis courts, an infinity swimming pool with spa and a fully equipped fitness centre. Kauri Cliffs has three secluded swimming beaches, which are also available for picnics and barbeques.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Kauri Cliffs

    • Golf within 10 km:

      No

    • Golf within 30 km:

      No

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

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Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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