Kauri Cliffs gives a Northland journey a golfing centrepiece. David Harman’s course unfolds above the Pacific, with island views and farmland around it. It is the sort of destination that deserves more than a quick tick on a list.
Kauri Cliffs green fees and tee times.
Kauri Cliffs welcomes both visitors and guests of Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, and tee times are booked through the golf shop. The previous operator, Robertson Lodges, published tiered 18- and 9-hole green fees for international, Australian and New Zealand players, with GST added on top and a discount for lodge guests. Current visitor prices are not shown on Rosewood’s site, so ask for a quote. For anyone wanting a golf package, the lodge offers stays with unlimited green fees included each day, and its villa offer bundles meals and unlimited golf.
The round, in perspective.
David Harman’s par-72 course measures 7,139 yards (6,528 metres) from the back and moves from marshland to rolling farmland to the cliff edge. The Pacific is in view on 15 holes, and six of them play right beside the cliffs, looking out to Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands. The course is laid out on a 6,000-acre working sheep and cattle farm, so the walk between greens and tees can be long, and many visitors take a cart. Inland holes play through native bush and wetlands. The cliff holes are where the wind and the forced carries come in, so the closing stretch rarely plays the same twice.
Make the trip work.
Kauri Cliffs is remote, so treat it as a destination rather than a detour. Practice facilities, with ocean views, are included in the green fee, and the pro shop rents premium clubs. If you plan to play twice, the lodge’s unlimited-golf offers quickly make sense. Leave a full travel day before or after Cape Kidnappers if you are combining the two.
Bay of Islands Airport at Kerikeri has regular flights from Auckland, and the drive to Kauri Cliffs takes about 40 minutes. Driving from Auckland takes around three and a half to four hours on State Highway 1. The lodge can arrange transfers for staying guests.
Where it is.
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Somewhere to settle in.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs sits above the course with suites, family suites and villas, a spa set in native bush with a heated pool, and dining built around farm and Northland produce. Guests can also book a barbecue lunch at Pink Beach, one of the property’s beaches. For a cheaper base, Kerikeri and Paihia in the Bay of Islands have plenty of motels and lodges within an hour.
Make a trip of it.
The Waitangi golf course above the Bay of Islands is an easy second round with sea views. Te Arai Links, north of Auckland, adds two newer coastal courses, one by Coore and Crenshaw and one by Tom Doak, about three hours south. Off the course, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds tell the story of modern New Zealand, and boat trips leave Paihia for the islands.
Find your season.
Northland is called the winterless north, and the course is playable year-round, but October to April gives the longest days and driest ground. The operator’s published summer season ran from 1 November to 31 March. Summer holidays from Christmas to late January are the busiest period in the Bay of Islands.
Yes. The course takes visitor bookings as well as Rosewood guests. Book through the golf shop in advance; in summer, lodge guests and packages take many of the prime morning times.
Are there Kauri Cliffs golf packages?
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs sells stays that include unlimited green fees each day, and a villa offer combining meals with spa or unlimited golf. Check current offers on Rosewood’s site when you book.
Where is Kauri Cliffs?
Near Matauri Bay in Northland, on the east coast north of the Bay of Islands. The closest airport is Kerikeri (Bay of Islands), about 40 minutes by road, with flights from Auckland.
How long is Kauri Cliffs golf course?
Kauri Cliffs is a par 72 of 7,139 yards (6,528 metres) from the championship tees, with shorter sets for most players. The Pacific is visible from 15 holes, and six run along the cliffs.
Last checked 4 October 2026. This is an independent planning guide, not a first-hand review or a booking service. Check live availability, access, fees and travel details with the operator before booking. Airport suggestions are starting points for route planning.
