New Zealand's North Island Five Star Swing

Luxury North Island Golf Swing – New Zealand’s Best Lodges & Courses

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Luxury North Island Golf Swing – New Zealand’s Best Lodges & Courses

There’s a special kind of magic to a North Island luxury golf trip in New Zealand.

Every location offers something different. The lodges and villas are luxurious. The food is unforgettable. And every course delivers that “did I really just play that?” moment.

So, the North Island Five Star Swing is your indulgent loop of New Zealand’s most celebrated golf addresses:

We stitch this itinerary together with on-site stays, all-inclusive dining, and seamless luxury transfers. Along the way, we also weave in unique New Zealand experiences.

Naturally, everything is tailored to suit you. But one thing stays constant: this is golf at the very top end, curated for players and their travel companions.

Ready to build your own Five Star Swing? Talk to our golf travel specialists →

Te Arai Links

Start in Auckland, a city of glassy harbours and skyline sparkle.

From there, a helicopter whisks you north along the coastline. Emerald headlands, white-sand beaches, and cobalt ocean unfurl beneath you. The flight takes just 30 minutes. Or, if you’d rather take in the countryside, drive for 90 minutes instead.

Your ocean-view villa is a study in coastal calm. Think modern design, timber textures, salt air, and the constant soundtrack of waves.

Te Arai Links has four restaurants, ranging from casual cafe-style dining to fine dining. Meals are fresh and local. Expect line-caught fish, beautiful cuts of meat, heirloom salads, and New Zealand’s finest wine and beer.

On the course, Te Arai delivers pure links drama:

North Course — designed by Tom Doak, a rolling ribbon of fescue and dunes that rewards imagination and control.
South Course — designed by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, where subtle contours and majestic views await.

In short, it’s a two-course masterclass in modern links golf, perched on the edge of the Pacific.

Between rounds, you can surf, ride horses along golden beaches, or unwind at the spa. Then, in the evening, Ocean Restaurant serves seasonal menus that blend coastal simplicity with culinary finesse.

For more course inspiration, explore our Golf Destinations page.

Kauri Cliffs

From Te Arai, head further north to the Bay of Islands. It’s a 60-minute helicopter flight, or a 3-hour drive. Either way, expect phenomenal scenery.

The arrival at Rosewood Kauri Cliffs feels cinematic. Picture 6,000 acres of coastal farmland, native forest, and secret beaches, all overlooking the Pacific.

Your suite comes complete with a fireplace, verandah, and endless ocean views.

When you’re ready to explore, choose from:

An ATV tour to private coves
A guided walk through ancient kauri and totara forest
A luxury yacht sail through the Bay of Islands, complete with chef, fishing gear, and water toys (highly recommended)

David Harman designed Kauri Cliffs Golf Course, and it strings together width, elevation, and sea-spray theatre. Several holes soar above the Pacific. Others tuck into valleys scented with manuka. As a result, it photographs beautifully and plays even better.

Back at the lodge, dinner stays elegant yet unpretentious, drawing on the region’s seafood and produce. It’s proof that New Zealand’s culinary scene matches its golf, world-class step for step.

Cape Kidnappers

Next, a chauffeured drive or private charter carries you south to Hawke’s Bay. The flight traces New Zealand’s curving east coast, a painter’s palette of blues and greens.

You’ll stay at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, a working sheep and cattle station reborn as a luxury lodge. It sits atop a plateau, with ridgelines that spear into the sea.

Warm woods and wool throws meet modern lines in your suite. The result is rural authenticity, made stylish.

Tom Doak designed Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, often called “golf at the edge of the earth.” Cliff-top fairways and knife-edge promontories demand nerve and precision. So it’s no surprise this ranks among New Zealand’s most exacting courses. Every hole here is as spectacular as it is testing.

Away from the course, Hawke’s Bay offers:

World-class vineyards
Art deco architecture in nearby Napier
Long, leisurely lunches at spots like Craggy Range

Then, in the evening, enjoy farm-to-table dinners paired with award-winning wines. It’s the perfect end to a day well spent.

For more golfing inspiration, see Queenstown Golf Club or read about Ryan Fox putting Kiwi golf on the world stage.

Kinloch Club

Finally, your journey carries you inland to Taupo, the North Island’s lake country and home to The Kinloch Club.

Jack Nicklaus designed Kinloch as a strategic course, set among tussocky hills with sweeping views across Lake Taupo. It rewards thinkers and ball-strikers alike. Angles matter. Strategy is essential. And once you find your rhythm, it’s pure bliss.

Base yourself on-site at Kinloch Manor & Villas. Here, contemporary stone-and-steel architecture meets warm interiors and outstanding food. All meals are included, featuring wild venison, local honey, artisan cheeses, and produce from the volcanic Central Plateau.

For non-golfers, or on free afternoons, Taupo offers plenty:

Spa treatments
Lake cruises to the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings
Kayaking on the Waikato River
Geothermal walks
Scenic helicopter flights over Huka Falls
Bungy jumping (if you’re brave enough)

Ultimately, the joy of this itinerary comes down to choice. Everything is taken care of, and everything is possible.

Accommodation & Transfers

The Five Star Swing runs on a rhythm of ease.

Helicopter transfers from Auckland to Te Arai, and Te Arai to Kauri Cliffs, become jaw-dropping scenic flights.
The private charter from the Bay of Islands to Hawke’s Bay is a champagne-hour interlude in the sky.
Prefer to drive? Self-drive options let you take in the countryside at your own pace.

What elevates this journey is its coherence. Each lodge is iconic. Each course offers something different. And each transfer reveals scenery only New Zealand can offer.

You’ll sleep where you play. You’ll eat brilliantly without a second thought. And you’ll glide effortlessly from ocean to vineyard to lake.

What’s included:

On-site stays at Te Arai Links Ocean Cottages, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Kinloch Manor & Villas
All meals, from hearty golfers’ breakfasts to leisurely lodge dinners
Premium beverage options
Dietary preferences catered for with ease
Pre-arranged golf logistics — tee times, caddies, and buggies

Want to add rest days? We can layer in spa time, guided coastal hikes, private winery lunches, or yacht charters in the Bay of Islands. Everything is tailored. Nothing is templated.

Every detail — from tee times to transfers — is tailored to you. Enquire about the North Island Five Star Swing →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the North Island Five Star Swing itinerary take?
It’s fully tailored, so length depends on your preferences. Most golfers allow enough time for on-site stays and rounds at all four properties, plus optional rest days.

Do I need to be an experienced golfer to enjoy this trip?
No. Each lodge offers non-golfing activities, from spa treatments and yacht charters to cultural experiences and helicopter flights. So it suits players and travel companions alike.

Are meals and transfers included?
Yes. All meals are included throughout the journey. Plus, helicopter or chauffeured transfers between properties are coordinated as part of the itinerary.

Can this itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Course selection, rest days, dining preferences, and transfer type (helicopter or self-drive) can all be tailored to you.

What golf courses are included in the Five Star Swing?
Te Arai Links (North & South Courses), Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and The Kinloch Club.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things about golf in New Zealand is how tee times are staggered. Courses are never overly busy, and that’s intentional.

If your idea of a bucket-list trip means quality, quiet, and unforgettable moments, the North Island Five Star Swing delivers:

Two spectacular links courses at Te Arai
The cliffside splendour of Kauri Cliffs
The audacity of Cape Kidnappers
The cerebral beauty of Kinloch

Four distinct locations. One harmonious story.

Overall, it’s a journey designed for discerning golfers and their travel companions. Days flow easily. Views capture the very best of New Zealand. And hospitality feels both world-class and warmly personal.

Ready to swing through the best of the North Island in unabashed style? Contact Luxury Adventures and let’s tailor the details, secure your preferred dates, and get the helicopters spinning. Your fairways are waiting.

Written by Steve McKean, Co-Owner of Luxury Adventures

Luxury Adventures has over 2 decades of crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Steve is passionate about showcasing the region’s most unforgettable places, from hidden alpine retreats, sunny paradises to world-class golf courses.

For more information email us: info@luxuryadventures.co.nz or follow our adventures on Instagram here

Linkedin: Connect with Luxury Adventures Directors Steve McKean & Dee McKean