Millbrook Golf Courses: Remarkables & Coronet Guide

Millbrook Golf Courses: A guide to Remarkables and Coronet

ByLuxury Adventures

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Millbrook Golf Courses: A Guide to Remarkables and Coronet

By Steve McKean, Co-owner, Luxury Adventures

Millbrook’s two golf courses offer different ways to experience Queenstown’s alpine landscape. The Remarkables course combines mountain views with an established resort setting. Meanwhile, the Coronet course introduces more elevated terrain and a different set of strategic challenges.

I’ve played the Remarkables course, and it exceeded my expectations. However, choosing where to play is about more than selecting a scenic backdrop.

During our original interview, Thomas Buttenshaw shared useful insights into both layouts. Here, I’ve combined his advice with my perspective to help you plan your Millbrook golf experience.

Why Include Millbrook in Your Golf Holiday?

Golf at Millbrook Resort places you near Arrowtown, a short drive from Queenstown.

The resort offers two 18-hole courses, practice facilities and several dining options. Moreover, it hosts the New Zealand Open, adding tournament pedigree to its mountain setting.

For me, the wider appeal is flexibility. You can visit for a round, spend a full day at the resort or make Millbrook your accommodation base.

Consequently, it suits both dedicated golfers and couples who want to combine golf with other experiences.

The Remarkables Course: An Established Resort Setting

The Remarkables course brings together the original Remarkables and Arrow nines.

Its fairways move through the heart of the resort, with ponds, mature trees and surrounding mountains shaping the experience. Meanwhile, the established landscape gives the course a distinctive character.

In our interview, Tom highlighted the wider fairways and beautiful resort setting. Nevertheless, those fairways do not remove the need for careful course management.

My own round here exceeded expectations. We also walked the course, which allowed us to appreciate the setting as we played.

If you prefer an established, parkland-style environment, the Remarkables deserves strong consideration. However, choose tees that suit your game rather than assuming a resort course will offer an easy round.

The Coronet Course: Elevated Views and Strategic Choices

The Coronet course offers a contrasting experience.

Tom described tighter fairway lies and narrower lines into the greens. In addition, holes six through twelve take golfers onto the elevated Mill Farm terrain, opening up views across the surrounding area.

According to Tom, some golfers describe parts of the course as having a links-like feel. However, its setting remains distinctly alpine rather than coastal.

For planning purposes, I would treat Coronet as an opportunity to experience another side of Millbrook. Its changes in terrain and approach angles give you different decisions to make throughout the round.

Therefore, golfers who enjoy variety and thoughtful shot selection should give it serious consideration.

Which Millbrook Golf Course Should You Play?

If your schedule allows, my recommendation is to play both.

Although they share the same resort, the courses offer different settings and challenges. Playing them on separate days also leaves time to enjoy Arrowtown, Queenstown and the wider region.

If you only have time for one round, consider what appeals most:

Choose Remarkables for an established resort landscape, mature trees and mountain views.
Choose Coronet for elevated terrain, expansive outlooks and the strategic challenges Tom highlighted.
Choose both if golf is a central part of your holiday and you want the fullest Millbrook experience.

However, course availability and maintenance schedules may influence your options. We can confirm these when planning your itinerary.

Tom’s Playing Advice: Position Before Distance

One of the most useful points from our interview was Tom’s recommendation to play for position rather than distance.

It is straightforward advice, but easy to forget when a tempting tee shot appears. Instead of automatically reaching for the driver, consider where you want to leave your next shot.

On Coronet, Tom singled out holes eleven through sixteen as his favourite stretch. He described a combination of excellent views, challenging golf and birdie opportunities on a good day.

He also admitted that the temptation to try driving the 13th green sometimes gets the better of him.

Nevertheless, his broader advice remains valuable: a well-placed tee shot can create a better scoring opportunity than a longer shot from trouble.

Allow Time to Warm Up

Millbrook’s practice facilities include a covered, heated driving range and putting and chipping areas.

Therefore, I recommend arriving with enough time to prepare rather than going straight from your transfer to the first tee.

Start with a few shorter shots, then work through the clubs you expect to use. Afterwards, spend time on the putting green to judge pace.

Rental clubs are available, too. However, we should confirm the current equipment and suitable options before your visit rather than rely on the models mentioned in the original interview.

Make a Day of Your Visit

Tom explained that many golf groups enjoy making a full day of Millbrook.

They begin with breakfast, warm up at the range and then head out for their round. Afterwards, they relax over a meal or drink at the resort.

That approach makes sense to me. Rather than rushing away after the final putt, leave room to enjoy the setting and discuss the round.

Millbrook’s dining options include the Clubhouse, Hole in One Café, Millhouse Restaurant, Kobe Cuisine and Smithy’s Smoke House. However, opening times and availability can vary, so we can check suitable arrangements for your visit.

A Good Option for Non-Playing Partners

A successful golf holiday should work for everyone travelling.

While you play, your partner might prefer a spa treatment or time exploring nearby Arrowtown. Alternatively, you could both enjoy a relaxed afternoon together after the round.

For this reason, I would plan the day around shared interests as well as tee times.

Millbrook’s combination of golf, dining and resort facilities makes that easier. Meanwhile, its location provides access to the wider Queenstown region.

You can read more about the accommodation, facilities and our visit in our Millbrook Resort golf guide.

Include Millbrook in Your New Zealand Golf Itinerary

Millbrook features in our Ultra-Luxe New Zealand Golf Tour. However, you do not need to follow the full sample itinerary to include it.

You might prefer a Queenstown-focused golf holiday. Alternatively, Millbrook could form part of a longer journey through New Zealand.

My recommendation is to balance memorable rounds with enough time to enjoy each destination. That way, your holiday offers more than a succession of tee times.

Contact Luxury Adventures to discuss your Millbrook golf experience and a New Zealand itinerary tailored to you.