Self Drive Golf Tours

Self Drive Golf Tours

Experience the freedom of a self guided New Zealand Golf Tour that is planned individually for you.

Discover New Zealand’s top golf destinations and tee off in stunning surrounds across both islands. Our self guided New Zealand golf tours include:

• 18 holes of golf at New Zealand’s top courses
• 5-star hotel and luxury lodge accommodation
• Premium rental car (or shuttle/flight transfers available)
• Unforgettable sightseeing tours and premium experiences
• A selection of gourmet meals

Learn more about what’s included in our self-drive golf tours

Golf at New Zealand’s top courses

From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, our independent golf tours showcase the best golf courses in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s marquee courses combine stunning scenery, superb facilities, and w0rld-class golfing for an unforgettable experience.

We include 18 holes of golf at each course featured in our self guided golf tours. In addition, you have the option to hire clubs and, where available, caddies and/or golf carts.

5-star hotel and luxury lodge accommodation

Depending on the location, our golf tour accommodation ranges from 5-star hotels to luxury lodges.

Luxury lodges are a truly exquisite all-inclusive experience, with gourmet meals served as part of your stay. Many of our golf destinations include on-site luxury lodges that offer convenience and indulgence throughout your stay. These include Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, Kinloch Manor & Villas, and Rosewood Cape Kidnappers.

Premium rental car (or shuttle/flight transfers)

Our self guided New Zealand golf tours include a premium rental car with full insurance as part of the standard package. However, depending on the itinerary, we can also arrange domestic flight and shuttle transfers or heli transfers.

Unforgettable experiences

Because many of our top golf regions are also popular sightseeing destinations, we have included a number of unforgettable tours and experiences to enrich your stay in New Zealand. From helicopter flightseeing tours to boutique wine tours, discover New Zealand at its most enthralling.

A selection of gourmet meals

When you stay at luxury lodges, your accommodation includes gourmet multi-course meals. Some lodges provide three meals each day, with a picnic option available for lunch, while others offer a deluxe breakfast and a pre-dinner aperitif.

Why book self-drive instead of guided New Zealand golf tours?

Our self guided golf tours are popular for a number of reasons. Here are a few reasons why you might prefer an independent tour over a guided version:

1. Personal preference

While some golfers enjoy the extra level of service that comes with having a private chauffeur, others prefer travelling independently. No one way is better than the other, and we offer independent golf travel at all levels, from budget-conscious tour packages to exclusive tours with helicopter transfers.

2. Cost

If you have a budget in mind for your golf tour, self-drive holidays are more cost-effective than privately guided tours. In addition, you may wish to modify your accommodation level to suit, as luxury lodges are many times more expensive than 5-star hotels.

3. Practicality

Some of our golf courses are all-inclusive destinations of their own, situated in remote locations that offer a range of opportunities on-site. If your itinerary involves flying between several of these destinations rather than driving, it can be more practical to arrange shuttles to your accommodation and spend your time exploring the golf destination rather than travelling with a private guide.

Frequently Asked Questions on Self Guided New Zealand Golf Tour Packages

Can you help me design a customised golf tour based on the courses I want to visit?

Certainly! Our golf tour packages are fully customisable, or we can design your holiday from scratch based around your requirements and interests.

Whether you have specific destinations in mind, or you have a budget you want to stay within, or you wish to add tours or other experiences to your golf holiday, we can make it happen.

What type of rental vehicles do your independent golf tours include?

We include premium 4WD vehicles in all of our standard golf tours. However, subject to availability, we can also arrange different luxury models to suit your preferences.

Which island of New Zealand is best for a self-drive golf tour?

The North Island is home to many of our most notable golf courses, including Cape Kidnappers, Te Arai Links, Kauri Cliffs, and Kinloch.

However, the South Island golf destination of Queenstown offers three world-class golf courses in one stunning location: Jack’s Point, The Hills, and Millbrook.

Sweeping coastal views define most of the top North Island courses, while the famous South Island courses are tucked in stunning mountain surrounds.

Is it easy to drive between golf destinations in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a small country, but some of our golf destinations are spread far apart. Depending on how long you stay, you may wish to drive between all golf destinations or book a domestic flight between courses to maximise your golfing time.

The three Queenstown golf courses all lie within a 15-minute drive of downtown Queenstown. Meanwhile, the driving times between the North Island marquee golf courses, from top to bottom, are as follows:

• Kauri Cliffs to Te Arai Links: 3 hours
• Te Arai Links to Kinloch and Wairakei: 5 hours
• Kinloch and Wairakei to Cape Kidnappers: 2 hours 45 minutes

Can non-golfers join the tour?

Absolutely! Our golf destinations are scenic highlights of New Zealand in their own right, so non-golfing partners will find our tours just as incredible as golfers.

Read about sightseeing options for non-golfing partners in each of our golf destinations.

Do I need a special driver’s license to drive in New Zealand?

No, you can use your current and valid overseas driver’s license as long as it is printed in English. If it is printed in another language, you will either need an accurate English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP).