Day 1: Arrive Melbourne
Melbourne, capital of Victoria, is perhaps best known for its fine parks and gardens; gracious tree-lined streets; international restaurants; fashion; and famous sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam. It is also famous for the Sandbelt corridor – making golfing a must. Below the southern outskirts of Melbourne, is a rich vein of sandy loam subsoil, upon which are situated eight of the best golf courses in Australia, known throughout the world as the famous Melbourne Sandbelt. These clubs have played host to countless great championships including the Australian Open, Johnnie Walker Classic, Australian Masters, World Match Play Championship, Women’s Australian Open, and the Presidents Cup.
Overnight Melbourne
Note for this itinerary we recommend you consider hiring a car for part or all of the trip to enable easy access to the Great Ocean Road.
Day 2: Huntingdale Golf Club
AM- Enjoy a round at Huntingdale Golf Club
Huntingdale has hosted the most major tournaments in Australia, rising to fame in 1979 with the inaugural hosting of the Australian Masters which it has hosted 31 times. Huntingdale is one of the most recognisable and iconic golf courses in Australia. The most famous names in golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have played at Huntingdale.
Designer: C.H. Alison
Length: 6363m
Par: 72
PM- Meander through Melbourne’s famous laneways or take a tour with Hidden Secrets. Sample the coffee that Melbourne is famous for at popular spots such as Axil, Traveller or Brother Baba Budan. End the day at one of the city’s much-loved restaurants on Flinders Lane such as Supernormal or Chin Chin.
Overnight Melbourne
Day 3: Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Enjoy a round at Royal Melbourne Golf Club
Royal Melbourne’s two courses, the East Course and the West Course, are each ranked amongst the best in the world. Royal Melbourne has hosted numerous national and international events, most famously the 1959 Canada Cup, and the 1970 World Cup of Golf. It was selected by the PGA Tour to host the Presidents Cup for the first time outside the United States in December 1998 and again in 2011. A combination of holes (12 holes from West and 6 holes from East) make up the Composite Course and in 2007, Golf Digest ranked the Composite Course as the sixth best course in the world outside the United States.
Designer: Alister MacKenzie (1931)
Length: 6061/Par 72
West Course Ranked: #1 in Australia and #11 in World
Day 4: Great Ocean Road
Today take the opportunity to explore some of the icons of the Great Ocean Road. See the towering 12 Apostles, get up close to native wildlife, and take in iconic surf breaks, pristine rainforest and misty waterfalls as you go.
Get outdoors on bushwalking, surfing and mountain biking expeditions or take the cultural route through galleries, museums and heritage attractions. Admire the stunning coastline on the Great Ocean Walk, see koalas, emus and kangaroos at Tower Hill, and explore surf towns and inspiring seaside villages. Gourmands will relish the opportunity to explore an internationally renowned culinary scene, while stopping in at cellar doors, farm gates and fresh provedores to stock up for the journey home.
Overnight Melbourne
Day 5: Yarra Yarra Golf Club
Golf at Yarra Yarra Golf Club
The primary architect of this renowned Sandbelt course was Alex Russell who, in 1926, had formed a partnership with the famed Dr Alister MacKenzie during his brief visit to Australia. Today, Yarra Yarra remains substantially the same as the original layout and, like all great golf courses, has stood the test of time. Many of the world’s greatest golfers have competed in tournaments here. This includes, Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, Karrie Webb, Annika Sörenstam, Jan Stephenson and Rachel Teske. What’s more, Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby both launched their professional careers from their membership as amateurs at Yarra Yarra.
Designers: Alex Russell, Dr. Alister MacKenzie
Length: 6155m
Par: 72