Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary- hole 1

 

The golf course at Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary is one of the most picturesque courses in New Zealand and dates from 1970.

The course instantly became known around the globe, and in 1996 was rated in 'the top 100 courses in the world outside the USA'.

Famed Australian architects Peter Thompson and Mike Wolveridge, teamed up with Commander John Harris to design the course.

 

 

Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary- hole 14 green

 

Wairakei is a world class golf course located in a 'bona fide' wildlife sanctuary.

Around 25,000 native trees and 500 exotics have been planted to encourage bird life, and improve the park like surroundings.

 

Golfers share the environment with mixed colour pheasants, guinea fowl, pekin ducks and fallow deer.

A two metre high boundary fence keeps out 'the bad guys'- rats, mice, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs- as well as feral cats and possums..

The sanctuary also boasts a kiwi egg incubation facility hatching over 100 kiwi chicks a season.

It is a relatively predator free environment for indigenous species- where the birdies keep coming!..

 

The site is also wonderful for golf with much of the central area exhibiting rolling terrain and interesting elevation changes.

It is an attractive landscape.

Unique natural golf holes with character abound.

 

 

  

 Notable Holes include:

 

8th Hole: a spectacular short dogleg par 4 with water and trees theatening the approach to a lovely green complex

 

Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary- hole 8 approach

 

11th Hole: a short par 4 requiring accuracy with both the tee shot and approach

 

12th Hole: a matching pair to hole 11, except it fades where hole 11 draws. It's an attractive hole with bunkers, water and trees challenging the approach.

 

 

14th Hole: a visual smorgasbord of a par 5 winding through mature pines to a nicely bunkered green set into the hillside (see pic mid page)

 

15th Hole: a mid length par 3 playing from tee high on a hill to a green across the valley

 

 

Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary- hole 15 

The Sanctuary

 

 

 

 

Other Courses in the area

 

When in Taupo don't miss the chance to play Kinloch- rated by some as oone of the best courses in New Zealand...

And an hour or two down the road you will find the fabulous Cape Kidnappers- that makes a nice threesome and worth the trip!

 

Where to stay?

 

The world famous Huka Lodge is a fine place to stay at Taupo if you can afford it, and the Taupo Hilton is pretty decent as well

 

 Golf Tours

The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to New Zealand to suit your group.

For itinerary suggestions please see Destinations: New Zealand

Enquiries

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