Golf Resorts, August 2015, Travel Digest

22 August 2015, Travel DigesT

New Zealand is home to a stunning array of world-class golf courses set in incredible locations with state-of-the-art facilities. Dramatic scenery, greenery, long stretches

of coast and soaring mountains make this country a natural playground for golfers. saraH WeeKs tees off around New Zealand to see what sets us apart.

Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown.

23Travel DigesT, August 2015

Golf courses such as Jack’s Point

and Millbrook Resort are designed

to make the most of the natural

terrain and show off the best

scenery. From alpine areas to idyllic

beachside locations – it’s no wonder golf is

the highest participation sport for Kiwis.

Test your golfing ability on courses that

have been the training ground for our top

golfers including Michael Campbell, Sir Bob

Charles and Lydia Ko. During your golf

holiday you can also experience exquisite

food and wine, adventure activities, quiet

nature and seamless hospitality.

Queenstown is home to some of

New Zealand’s most spectacular golf

courses offering stunning scenery and

varying par levels and difficulty. Jack’s Point championship golf course is one of the

world’s most spectacular courses overlooking

Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop

of the Remarkables Mountain range. Only a

stone’s throw away is Jack’s Point Escape, the

ideal property for golfers anytime of the year.

Touch of Spice manage this elegantly

decorated lodge-style property as part of

their Private Villa Collection.

Upon arrival, a Touch of Spice

representative greets us and gives a tour of

the property and helps with local dining

and activity recommendations during our

visit. The company specialises in New

Zealand’s finest luxury experiences and can

build you a bespoke itinerary or event. From

arranging private jet hire, romantic evenings

dining with the best chefs, or after hours

access to fashion boutiques for that

last-minute party dress, their team of

dedicated personal curators can tailor-make

the finest experience.

They create once-in-a-lifetime moments

that will never be forgotten and this luxury

villa definitely counts as one of them! The

property is the perfect place to relax and

unwind with friends and family and features

five bedrooms, three bathrooms, one ensuite,

barbecue, indoor and outdoor fireplace,

chef’s kitchen, garage, wi-fi, SKY TV, private

sitting room and even ski and golf storage. If

you have an extra large group, there’s also a

separate, self-contained unit with two

bedrooms, bathroom and living / kitchen area

above the large double garage.

The large open plan living, dining and

kitchen area with large bay windows and

skylight is the highlight of the property

showcasing the majestic 360-degree alpine

views. The spacious designer kitchen also

has a secondary chef’s kitchen with

industrial-sized sink and power tap – perfect

to entertain large groups. Near the living area

is also a den complete with bar, fridge, LCD

TV and patio doors that open to an outdoor

deck with a separate space for entertaining.

The master bedroom comes complete with a

large walk in wardrobe, modern bathroom

and double shower with waterfall feature wall.

Bay windows open out to your very own deck

with the most breathtaking backdrop – you’ll

never want to leave!

Not far from Queenstown is a par three

golf course that is absolutely unique. Nestled

1,370-metres high up on Cecil Peak, you can

try your hand at a hole-in-one while enjoying

mind-blowing views. The only way to access

this phenomenal place is by helicopter with

Over The Top Golf. They’ll fly you and your

golf buddies in one of their luxury helicopters

up to New Zealand’s most picturesque golf

hole – a must-do experience for all golfers.

This unique golf experience overlooking

Queenstown has four tee boxes for the

altitude golfer where you can fly in to

drive, chip and putt out on the top.

GOLF RESORTS

WHERE TIME STANDS STILLEscape to an untouched paradise of pristine beaches, crystal clear water and world renowned diving.

Located on the Sun Coast overlooking the Sailstone Reef and the Nananui Islands, Wananavu is an idyllic 4 star resort with 34 deluxe bures.

Voted as one of Fiji’s top10 resorts by Trip Advisor 2014 wand 2015, Wananavu offers an island paradise experience with mainland convenience.

Ph 679 669 4433 www.wananavu.com

20142015

24 August 2015, Travel DigesT

Over the Top Golf, Cecil Peak.

✈

GOLF RESORTS

Jack’s Point Escape, Queenstown.

This golfing experience is definitely one

for the golfer’s bucket list. If you’ve played

golf in many parts of the world, this is right

up there with the most memorable

experiences. Even if you’ve never played golf

before, you’ll love Over The Top Golf. Their

golf packages include return helicopter

flights, golf clubs, balls and even

refreshments served as you putt out.

Their helicopter pilots are also experienced

golf players and can give you some tips

on how to lower your handicap.

This stunning mountaintop golf hole is the

first of a planned high-altitude nine-holer.

Real golf balls are used with those that aren’t

retrieved collected by fundraising groups

each year. It’s easy to see why golf

enthusiasts fly from around the globe to

experience this unique hole that’s grabbing

worldwide attention. Offering a remarkable

way to soak up the wonder that is Queens-

town while attempting to achieve the ace

of the game, this is one golf course not to

be missed.

Voted the best golf resort in New Zealand,

Australasia and Oceania in recent years and

co-host of the BMW New Zealand Open

2016, Arrowtown’s Millbrook Resort is one of

the world’s most scenic golf courses. With

extraordinary photo opportunities at every

turn, their championship course offers three

fabulous nine-hole courses, each named after

local prominent Queenstown landmarks

– The Remarkables, The Arrow and The

Coronet Nine. This 27-hole world-class golf

course is set in a natural alpine amphitheatre

against the backdrop of the Remarkables

mountain range. Designed by renowned

professional and master golfer Sir Bob

Charles and renovated by Greg Turner in

October 2010 with the addition of the

Coronet Nine, this championship course

features five different tee positions for all

levels of playing expertise. Whether you’re an

experienced golfer or beginner, Millbrook has

something for everyone.

The resort offers world-class golf facilities

and services including NZPGA-qualified golf

coaching, golf schools for individuals or

groups, putting and chipping greens, unique

covered driving range, electric carts,

equipment hire, shoes and trundlers, locker

rooms, showers, changing facilities and

a proshop.

For those wanting to stay, they have luxury

accommodation in a peaceful and tranquil

setting with beautifully-appointed rooms,

suites and villas that complement the history

and character of the Central Otago region.

Their spacious rooms, large windows and

balconies showcase stunning views

surrounding the resort. All Millbrook guests

receive complimentary access to their health

and fitness centre as well as preferential

green fees, allowing them unlimited daily play

for a set fee. After a round of golf, you can

enjoy a spa treatment or dinner at one of the

resort restaurants.

The Millhouse is their signature restaurant

and has won many restaurant and culinary

awards with a menu featuring contemporary-

style dishes using the best locally sourced

seasonal produce, wild game and fresh

seafood. Located alongside the original water

wheel and on the edge of The Mill Pond

overlooking the 18th hole, this was the original

flourmill in the resort’s former farm days and

the history of the building is maintained.

Enjoy unique dishes such as Southland

Venison and Cardrona Merino Lamb sitting

next to the roaring fire, or by the Mill Pond on

summer evenings.

Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of

stunning pastureland in the North Island’s

Hawke’s Bay, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is the perfect setting for golfers with

spectacular 180-degree views of the

Pacific Ocean. Offering 22 guest suites

and a four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage,

you can enjoy views of their par 71 golf

course measuring 6,510-metres. Designed

by legendary golf architect Tom Doak,

this golf course will challenge golfers

of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, the

course has been hailed as one of the great

modern marvels in golf, rated in the top

best golf courses in the world and hosted

the Kiwi Challenge in 2008 and 2009.

Indulge in a luxury golf getaway in this

boutique resort’s stunning, secluded location

enjoying an award-winning golf club and

lavish spa treatments.