ITINERARY: 'EXTRAORDINARY AUSTRALIA'
Overview
On this 10-night, golf-and-culture odyssey we've designed in partnership with Great Golf Escapes (a bespoke travel company that has specialized in coordinating dream golf trips to Australia since 1996), you’ll experience the very best of Australia's renowned Sandbelt — a golfing corridor in and around the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne that is synonymous with some of the finest courses, wineries and beaches in the world. Between rounds on six truly remarkable layouts, you’ll experience the very best of Aussie hospitality, cuisine and culture, resulting in perhaps the most incredible vacation of your life.
Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne
Fly into Melbourne and, if arriving in the morning, enjoy a leisurely day getting acclimated to the time difference. If arriving in the evening, get a good night's rest so you're ready to explore your new surroundings the next day. The luxurious Langham is located right on the Yarra River, in Southbank, a vibrant neighborhood rife with must-see attractions.
🍴On Your Own (all meals)
Day 2: Explore Australia's Cultural Capital
You don't have to wander far from The Langham to find something of interest. From riverside restaurants to soaring skydecks, and iconic laneways to an acclaimed casino, it's all at your fingertips. But if you'd rather get outside the city and take in some serious scenery, ask us about the Great Ocean Road. We'd be happy to set up a day tour for you.
🍴Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Play One of Rory's Favorite Courses
Get the golf portion of your trip started at a course that Rory McIlroy believes is one of the five best in the entire world. Just 20 minutes from downtown Melbourne, this century-old Sandbelt gem has long been considered the course by which all others are measured by when it comes to bunker design and placement.
🍴Breakfast
Day 4: Have a Ball at the Australian Open
As the sporting capital of Australia, Melbourne is constantly hosting big-time competitions. January is no exception, what with the Australian Open — professional tennis’ first major event of the year — coming to town. Take in the early-round action without even having to take a taxi — the venue is just a short stroll down the river from your hotel.
🍴Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Tee It Up at a World Top 10 Track
Ready to test your skills at the world's 7th-best course, according to GOLF Magazine? This lauded venue has hosted the Presidents Cup three times over the past quarter century alone, most recently in 2019, when Tiger Woods led the U.S. to a dramatic, 16-14, come-from-behind victory over the Internationals.
🍴Breakfast
Day 6: Take on Another Showstopper
Now that you've got two rounds under your belt, it's time to take on one of two courses at perhaps the best 36-hole facility in all of Australia. Not only are both layouts superb, they're just a short walk from your room — one of 18 luxurious suites on a property that also includes an expansive practice area and world-class restaurant.
🍴Breakfast
Day 7: Get a Taste of Revered Wine Country
Since you're waking up in an area that is internationally celebrated for its elegant Pinot Noir and refined Chardonnay, why not get your hands around a glass or two? You'll visit three acclaimed Mornington Peninsula wineries today and have a lovely gourmet lunch overlooking the vineyards at one of them.
🍴Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Experience a Tom Doak Masterpiece
While most links-style courses tend to conjure the thought of unbearable winds and compromised play, the natural valleys and native trees across the fifth course on this itinerary provide protection from the elements. Add generous fairways, spectacular greens and the roar of the ocean nearby and you get another unforgettable golf experience.
🍴Breakfast
Day 9: Enjoy the Beauty of a Spectacular Peninsula
There are lots of reasons why this area on the end of the Mornington Peninsula is considered the state of Victoria's most coveted coastal escape, but two stand out: it's stunningly beautiful and rich in history. Spend the day enjoying it however you see fit. Whether you're active-minded, a chill seeker and or even a shopaholic, this spot has something for everyone.
🍴Breakfast
Day 10: Let Your Breath Get Taken Away
That's what the sixth and final course on this itinerary is sure to do. That's because it was laid out on heaving terrain with one jaw-dropping ocean view after another. Credit goes to legendary architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., but Mother Nature certainly deserves a pat on the back, too. This place is straight out of heaven.
🍴Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Head Home ... or Keep It Going
Savor one last lavish breakfast before heading to the Melbourne airport for your flight home. Or, if you've made arrangements with us for a post-trip experience, venture to your next destination. Tasmania, Sydney (pictured) and New Zealand are all great options.
PRICING: This unique package is offered at TBD/person and, in addition to the five-star hotel stays and world-class golf experiences, includes four distinct off days, all transfers, and 24/7 access to Asia Golf Trips founder/guide Scott Resch, who has spent chunks of his life in Australia (his mother's homeland) and knows the Melbourne area like the back of his hand. Contact us to learn more or sign up.