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New Zealand is one of those rare golf destinations where the non-golfing partner is likely to enjoy themselves just as much as the golfer. Because the country is so compact, and because each marquee golf course is sited in such a scenic location, the surrounding regions offer abundant opportunities for sightseeing and other experiences.
Many of the golf resorts offer on-site experiences, from spa treatments to farm tours. And if you travel with a private chauffeur, your guide can take you on scenic drives around the region, stopping to sample local fare or take in hidden viewpoints.
From top to bottom, these are some of the best off-course activities around each of New Zealand’s best golf courses.
Situated near the top of the North Island, the Bay of Islands is a sub-tropical paradise with private beaches, lush native bush, abundant marine wildlife, and a tantalizing array of islands to explore.
Both on and off the Kauri Cliffs property, opportunities abound to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty and tranquility of the region.
Discover the rich cultural history that unfolded around Kauri Station in an immersive three-hour experience. The region holds great significance for both Māori and European settlers. Here lies the resting place of one of the seven original waka that brought Māori to New Zealand, as well the place where Captain James Cook lay anchor at Waiaua Bay, where the first New Zealand European child was born.
Explore Kauri Station and the surrounds on an equestrian tour that passes through native forest, crosses the rolling expanse of the working farm, and descends to a secluded beach where you can enjoy a picnic lunch.
Nestled at the edge of a totara forest, the Spa at Rosewood Kauri Cliffs invites guests to relax and rejuvenate. Enjoy the sauna, jacuzzi, heated lap pool, and fitness centre, or choose from an indulgent range of massages, facials, hydrotherapy, and body treatments.
Venture north on a 4×4 adventure that takes you to the renowned 90 Mile Beach. Encounter Te Paki Stream and the giant sand dunes, with sand boarding on offer; enjoy the stunning drive to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand; learn about the region’s cultural significance; and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch accompanied by New Zealand wines.
Take to the sky for an unforgettable helicopter excursion, with numerous options to choose from. Discover the Bay of Islands, with the option to incorporate a visit to the iconic “Hole in the Rock” and the Cape Brett marine reserve; travel north to Cape Reinga past the ever-changing coastline; encounter giant Kauri trees; or indulge in a winery tour and vineyard lunch at The Landing.
Island-hop your way through the idyllic Bay of Islands on a private yacht charter, with the option to enjoy a beach stop, sample a range of water-based activities, or sail the length of the archipelago.
Just 50 minutes from Kauri Cliffs lies New Zealand’s most significant historic site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Here you can explore heritage buildings and museums, view one of the world’s largest ceremonial waka, take part in a cultural show, and join a guided tour of the treaty grounds.
Sprawling along a beautiful stretch of coastline, Te Arai Links invites guests to enjoy the seaside splendour through a range of experiences. Known as one of New Zealand’s best surf destinations, the beach bordering Te Arai Links offers a range of water-based activities. Meanwhile, the property itself provides massage and beauty treatments.
And beyond the golf resort are sightseeing opportunities along the coast and around Auckland, which lies just over an hour south of Te Arai Links.
Experience pure relaxation with a range of massage and beauty services available in your private accommodation.
Choose from an array of hiking trails in the region, which showcase the remote coastal beauty of Mangawhai and Te Arai Regional Park.
Take in the picturesque coastline from a new perspective with easy stand up paddleboard or kayak excursions.
Just off the coast of Auckland, the boutique wine region of Waiheke Island entices visitors with an abundance of gastronomic treasures that include locally grown olives, seafood, and world-class wineries. Indulge in a private wine tour that includes tastings at renowned wineries and a gourmet vineyard lunch.
Discover local New Zealand cuisine on an immersive food tour that profiles top Auckland eateries. From braised lamb to seafood and NZ dairy products, sample premium ingredients and diverse flavours as you explore the best of New Zealand’s tantalizing food scene.
Encounter majestic marine wildlife up close with a whale watching cruise through Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. From whales and dolphins to seals and rare seabirds, experience the abundance of New Zealand’s coastal waters with an expert guide.
Perched beside the waters of Lake Taupo, the town of Taupo serves as the gateway to a breathtaking volcanic region.
In the nearby Tongariro National Park, volcanoes tower over a barren, lava-strewn expanse, while verdant forests, turbulent rivers, and tantalizing geothermal reserves nestle in the surrounding landscape.
Taupo also lies just an hour’s drive from Rotorua, a town rich in Māori culture and geothermal activity.
From the world-renowned Tongariro Crossing to heli-hikes through stunning native forests alive with birdsong, the region surrounding Taupo is a hiker’s paradise. Choose from an exciting range of guided hikes ranging from shorter excursions to full-day adventures.
Encounter lakes, waterfalls, volcanic formations, or lush fern forests on guided bike trips around one of New Zealand’s best mountain biking destinations. From beginner through to expert, each tour is tailored to suit your abilities and interests.
Steaming vents, geysers, boiling pools, brilliant colours, and stunning silica terraces await visitors at Wai-O-Tapu and Orakei Korako, both located within easy reach of Taupo.
Take in the dramatic scenery from the air with a scenic floatplane or helicopter flight. From rugged volcanic peaks and ridges to brilliantly-hued geothermal pools, the region surrounding Taupo is a delight to explore by air.
Escape to the beauty and serenity of Lake Taupo on a lake cruise that takes in views of the surrounding volcanic peaks and the famous Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. Private charters are available for a more exclusive experience.
Learn about Māori traditions and heritage, view artisans at work at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, hear ancestral stories, and encounter awe-inspiring geysers and silica terraces in Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley on a cultural tour at Te Puia. Located in Rotorua, Te Puia offers a comprehensive experience of the region’s best cultural and geothermal highlights.
Beyond the world-renowned golf course, Cape Kidnappers is a destination in its own right, with towering ocean cliffs and an abundance of rare birdlife.
Cape Kidnappers also sits in the Hawke’s Bay region, renowned for its superb wineries and Art Deco architecture.
Discover the remote and spectacular reaches of Cape Kidnappers on a Can-Am adventure with a guide who grew up on the property. Largely inaccessible to other vehicles, Cape Kidnappers unveils a wealth of panoramic views, rugged farmland, and secluded beaches.
Nestled in tranquil surrounds, the Spa at Cape Kidnappers offers three luxurious treatment rooms and an indulgent menu of spa treatments, from massages to facials and manicures.
Experience the wealth of native wildlife at Cape Kidnappers on a day or night tour of the Cape Sanctuary. Learn about world-leading restoration efforts, encounter abundant forest birdlife, visit a predator-free seabird site, and explore habitats that range from coastal dunes to native forest. The night tour offers a chance to see glowworms and see and hear nocturnal wildlife such as Ruru and perhaps even Kiwi.
From the seclusion of Cape Kidnappers, enjoy an unrivalled view of the night sky as you uncover secrets of the universe and marvel at planets, constellations, and galaxies. Guided by astronomer Gary Sparks, the intimate stargazing opportunity unfolds on the resort lawn.
Taste award winning local wines and experience the best of Hawke’s Bay on a relaxed private wine tour that incorporates a vineyard platter lunch. Take in views of the picturesque surrounds and go behind the scenes to discover what makes the region unique.
From winery visits to coastal trails, self-guided e-bike tours allow you to experience the region at your own pace.
Marvel at the sight of over 20,000 gannets on a 4WD safari to the world’s largest and most accessible gannet colony.
As one of New Zealand’s most captivating destinations, Queenstown offers an incredible and diverse array of experiences. Set beside the waters of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, Queenstown is first and foremost a breathtaking alpine town. The wilderness around Queenstown beckons with soaring ridges, cascading waterfalls, pristine glaciers, hidden lakes, impenetrable forests, and iconic fiords.
In addition, Queenstown is home to countless adventure activities, wineries, Lord of the Rings filming destinations, and luxury experiences. With such a wealth of outstanding options to choose from, it is fortunate that Queenstown is also a top golf destination that necessitates a longer stay.
Discover the grandeur of Fiordland National Park on scenic flights and cruises that visit the famous Milford Sound. In a land of remote majesty, most of it inaccessible except by air, encounter alpine lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and fathomless fiords.
From the rugged hills of the Central Otago wine region to the exceptional Cardrona Distillery, discover the bold flavours of the Queenstown surrounds. Visit boutique wineries in three contrasting wine sub-regions, enjoy a vineyard lunch, and take in the dramatic scenery on an immersive private wine tour, with the option to include gourmet local foods or a visit to the Cardrona Distillery.
Tackle some of the region’s most scenic terrain on a guided hike through Mount Aspiring National Park. From mountain peaks to waterfalls, native birdlife to turquoise rivers, the national park offers an impressive and ever-changing taste of New Zealand wilderness.
Queenstown is often referred to as the “adventure capital of New Zealand,” and the town abounds with adventure and adrenaline activities. A few favourites include the Shotover Jet, skydiving, and the Dart River Wilderness Jet. Also on offer are bungy jumping, canyon swings, ziplining, whitewater rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, and quad biking.
The Queenstown region includes some of the most dramatic and recognisable Lord of the Rings filming locations in the country, from the Valley of Isengard to the River Anduin. Go behind the scenes on a Queenstown Lord of the Rings tour and discover how Peter Jackson brought Middle-Earth to life.
Experience a stargazing tour with a difference. Travel by 4WD vehicle to a remote location where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the night sky, both with the naked eye and with the aid of a telescope.
Located just an hour from Queenstown, Wanaka shares a similar lakefront setting surrounded by mountain grandeur. Here you will find outdoor experiences, locally produced gourmet food and wine, and wilderness adventures.
Wanaka serves as the gateway to a remarkable slice of wilderness, and one of the best ways to experience it is on a guided hike. Whether you choose ground transport or a heli-hike, your guide will unveil the remote majesty of the mountainous region.
Discover the unique thrill of a via ferrata climb with Wildwire, an unforgettable Wanaka activity that takes you up steel rungs and suspension bridges as you make the dizzying ascent past a stunning tiered waterfall.
Located close to Mt Aspiring/Tititea, a dramatic pyramidal peak that lies at the junction of three major glacier systems, Wanaka is the perfect base for a helicopter flight through breathtaking mountain terrain. Experience alpine or glacier landings and enjoy staggering views of Mt Aspiring.
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