Golf in the Hunter Valley
The Hunter isn't just wine — it's one of NSW's best golf destinations, with three championship resort courses laid out among the vineyards, world-class dining for the nineteenth hole, and cellar doors minutes away. Whether you want a relaxed round or a full golf getaway, here's where to play and how to combine it with the rest of the valley.
The Vintage, Cypress Lakes & Lovedale
Three championship courses lead the way. The Vintage, a Greg Norman design at Chateau Elan in Rothbury, is the region's signature layout. Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort at Pokolbin offers a scenic, undulating course at the heart of the wine country. And the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club at Lovedale (beside Rydges Resort) rounds out the trio. All three welcome visitors, hire out clubs and buggies, and have accommodation on site.
Golf & wine, side by side
The beauty of the Hunter is that the fairways and the cellar doors sit minutes apart. Play a round in the cool of the morning, then spend the afternoon tasting Semillon and Shiraz — with a driver so no one has to choose. It's a favourite formula for golf getaways, corporate trips and celebrations, and one we package all the time: golf, stays, tee times and a wine tour in one.
Big events on the calendar
The Hunter hosts a strong calendar of golf. In 2026, The Vintage stages the NSW Open (12–15 November), one of the state's premier professional tournaments, and the Hunter Valley Masters runs in August. These are great to watch — but if you're here to play, check the course calendars, as tournament days can limit public tee times. We'll factor the dates into your trip.
Hunter Valley golf: your questions
The three championship resort courses are The Vintage (a Greg Norman-designed course at Chateau Elan, Rothbury), Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort (Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, Pokolbin) and the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club at Lovedale (Rydges Resort). All are 18-hole courses set among the vineyards, open to visitors, with resort accommodation on site.
Absolutely — it's the classic Hunter combination. Play a round in the morning, then spend the afternoon at the cellar doors (with a driver, of course). The resort courses at The Vintage, Cypress Lakes and Lovedale all sit right among the wineries, so golf and wine sit minutes apart. We can build a golf-and-wine itinerary for your group.
Yes — book tee times ahead, particularly on weekends, during school holidays and around tournaments. The courses are popular with visitors and resort guests, and some close portions for events. Club and buggy hire is available, so you can travel light. We can arrange your tee times alongside the rest of your trip.
Yes. The region hosts professional and amateur events through the year, and in 2026 The Vintage hosts the NSW Open (12–15 November), one of the state's premier tournaments. Other events include the Hunter Valley Masters in August. Check the courses' calendars, as tournament days can affect public play.
It's ideal — multiple championship courses close together, resort accommodation with golf packages, and world-class wine and dining for the off-course hours. It's a favourite for golf getaways, corporate trips and buck's weekends. We can package the golf, the stays, tee times and a wine tour into one seamless trip.