From beachfront layouts to championship resort courses, Queensland’s two famous coasts offer no shortage of stunning golfing adventures. The only question is: are you Team Sunshine Coast or Team Gold Coast?
SUNSHINE COAST
NOOSA SPRINGS GOLF AND SPA RESORT
There are plenty of reasons golfers return to Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort time and again, but perhaps the biggest is the setting. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Noosa National Park, the course offers a welcome escape, where the sounds of the bush replace the noise of everyday life and golf is played against a backdrop of tropical vegetation, freshwater lakes and abundant wildlife.
Consistently rated among Australia's finest courses, the 6180-metre, par-72 championship layout has a character all its own. Each hole presents a different look and challenge, with four tee options ensuring the course can be enjoyed by players of all abilities. The conditioning is a standout, thanks to dedicated greens staff.
The layout features 69 bunkers, 10 freshwater lakes and views across neighbouring Lake Weyba, while kangaroos and a colourful collection of birdlife are regular companions throughout the round.
Practical touches also enhance the experience. A fleet of 70 electric carts equipped with GPS and an extensive concrete cart path network mean golf can be played in virtually any weather, while club hire, a driving range and a well-stocked golf shop cater to visitors. Afterwards, the clubhouse provides the perfect place to unwind, with its alfresco cafe, restaurant and views back across the course.
BRIBIE ISLAND GC
There's a laid-back charm to Bribie Island Golf Club that fits perfectly with its coastal Queensland setting. Ranked among Australia's Top 100 public access courses, the club offers an 18-hole championship layout that combines natural beauty with a genuine sand-belt feel, making it a favourite for locals and visitors alike.
The course is defined by its undulating fairways, smooth 328-grass greens and the ever-present influence of sand. Natural sand bunkers and sandy lies add character to the challenge and ensure that no two rounds feel quite the same. Designed as an easy walk, it's a course that can be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities, whether you're chasing a score or simply soaking up a day outdoors in southern Queensland's warm, tropical climate.
Players can choose from three course setups, with the Blue Course measuring 6202 metres (Par 72, slope rating 130), the White Course of 5959 metres (Par 72, slope rating 123) and the 5541-metre Red Course (Par 74, slope rating 127).
The clubhouse restaurant enjoys views across the finishing hole and has become a popular gathering place for golfers and locals. Open daily for lunch and Wednesday to Friday for dinner, head chef Brian Stott's menu showcases modern Australian flavours, from pizzas to fresh seafood and quality steaks.
MAROOCHY RIVER GC
With Mount Coolum standing proudly on the horizon and water in play on almost every hole, Maroochy River Golf Club delivers one of the Sunshine Coast’s most memorable golfing experiences. The course has been recognised as a top 100 course in Australia by the three major golfing reviewers and was named Queensland Golf Club of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Golf Industry Awards, but it’s the golf itself that leaves the strongest impression.
Maroochy River is a course which constantly asks questions of golfers. It is a classic risk-versus-reward layout, where there’s usually a safe option available for those happy to take their medicine and move on. However, the temptation to attack is never far away. Take on a tucked pin or try to squeeze a few extra metres from the tee, and suddenly the strategically placed bunkers and challenging green surrounds become a lot more relevant.
Waterways, rolling fairways, feature walls and bunker islands create interest at every turn, while Mount Coolum provides a dramatic backdrop that seems to follow you throughout the round.
Beyond the championship layout, the wider golf complex offers plenty to explore. There’s a modern driving range with practice bunkers and greens, the Maroochy River Golf Academy and Maroochy River Mini Golf, a million-dollar tourist destination and the only attraction of its kind on the Sunshine Coast.
BEERWAH GC
This proud club wears its reputation as the "Friendliest Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast" with quiet confidence. Tucked beneath the striking peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, it’s the sort of place where visitors quickly feel at home and where the golf is every bit as enjoyable as the scenery.
The 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches to 6023 metres and offers a pleasant walk, thanks to its predominantly level terrain. While the course is challenging enough to keep good players engaged, it never feels overwhelming, making it equally appealing for those simply looking to enjoy a relaxed round with friends.
One of Beerwah’s great strengths is that it rewards thought as much as power. Golfers who enjoy plotting their way around a course will appreciate that good scores often come from smart decisions, rather than hitting the ball as far as possible. It is a layout that encourages strategy, patience and a little creativity.
It is easy to see why Beerwah has become one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular 18-hole golf destinations. Visitors are warmly welcomed, golfers with an official handicap can join weekly competitions when visitor tee times are available, and early starters can be on the first tee from as early as 6am on Tuesdays and Fridays.
NOOSA GC
Just 10 minutes from Hastings Street, Noosa Golf Club is the perfect spot to swap the beach for the fairways for a few hours. A favourite with both locals and visitors, the club offers a relaxed atmosphere and a golf course that’s enjoyable for players of all ages and abilities.
The par-72 championship layout has enough challenge to keep experienced golfers interested, while still being plenty of fun for those simply looking to enjoy a round. Afterwards, the clubhouse is an easy place to linger, whether it's over a cold drink, a meal in the popular bistro, or while taking in the views from the deck. If golf is part of your Sunshine Coast holiday plans, Noosa Golf Club is well worth adding to the list.
PELICAN WATERS GC
For golfers visiting the Sunshine Coast, Pelican Waters Golf Club is a course that deserves a spot on the itinerary. Designed by Greg Norman, it has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s top golfing destinations, combining championship-calibre golf with a stunning natural setting.
Winding through waterways teeming with birdlife, the course offers plenty of memorable views alongside its testing layout. Off the course, the club boasts first-class facilities, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience.
Pelican Waters is also at the heart of Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters, where residents have the luxury of one of Australia’s leading golf courses right on their doorstep. It’s golf, lifestyle and the Sunshine Coast all rolled into one.
PEREGIAN SPRINGS GC
Tucked away just 15 minutes south of Noosa, Peregian Springs Golf Club is one of those courses that makes it easy to settle into holiday mode. Set among tree-lined fairways, pristine greens and picturesque lakes, the 5827-metre, par-70 layout offers plenty of variety and a fun challenge for golfers of all abilities.
Away from the course, there’s everything you need to make a day of it. The club features a driving range, chipping and putting facilities, a well-stocked pro shop and a fleet of 50 electric carts. Once the clubs are packed away, the clubhouse’s alfresco bar and restaurant is the perfect place to kick back, enjoy a meal and soak up the views across the course.
MALENY GC
If you're looking for a golf course that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle, Maleny Golf Club is well worth the drive into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Surrounded by rolling countryside and renowned for its stunning views, the 18-hole, par-69 layout offers a relaxed day out with plenty of golfing charm.
What makes Maleny particularly special is how naturally it sits within the landscape. Built with a minimalist approach inspired by Scotland's famed Machrihanish Dunes, the course follows the existing terrain, creating undulating fairways, distinctive, revitted bunkers and a layout full of character. Add superb greens, friendly staff and a welcoming club atmosphere, and you'll quickly understand why so many visitors leave planning their next round there.
HEADLAND GC
Headland Golf Club is the sort of place where a great round of golf and a good catch-up go hand in hand. Set amid the Sunshine Coast’s stunning scenery, the club combines a classic course with a welcoming atmosphere that keeps golfers coming back year after year.
Whether you’re chasing a personal-best score, joining friends for a casual nine holes or taking part in one of the club’s popular competitions, Headland offers something for every type of golfer. There are coaching programs for those looking to improve, plenty of social golf opportunities and, once the round is over, the clubhouse, bar and Vista Restaurant provide the perfect spot to relax, share a few laughs and enjoy the view.
PACIFIC HARBOUR G&CC
If you're heading to Bribie Island, Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club is well worth packing the clubs for. Tucked between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and surrounded by national parks and wildlife, the course offers a laid-back golfing experience in a beautiful natural setting.
Designed by Ross Watson, the layout features lush fairways, fast greens and plenty of interesting holes that keep the round enjoyable from start to finish. Water comes into play throughout the course, while the aquatic driving range adds something a little different to the experience. With social golf available every day and visitors welcome in competitions, Pacific Harbour is the kind of place where it's easy to slow down, enjoy the scenery and settle in for a great day on the course.
PALMER COOLUM RESORT
Palmer Coolum Resort Golf Course has welcomed some of the biggest names in golf over the years, but you don't need a major championship on your resume to enjoy a round here. Designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches 6137 metres and offers a fun challenge for golfers of all abilities.
The course has played host to an impressive list of stars, including major champions Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Y.E. Yang, Greg Norman and Darren Clarke. Australian favourites Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Steven Bowditch, John Senden, Rod Pampling and Robert Allenby have also taken on the layout, alongside international standouts such as Rickie Fowler, K.T Kim and Liang Wen Chong. For everyday golfers, it’s a chance to follow in some very famous footsteps.
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