A journey through Victoria’s Yarra Valley reveals premium cellar doors and highly acclaimed golf courses co-existing in picturesque surrounds.
The last of the Yarra Valley golfing gems to be showcased here is also ranked among the country’s finest. RACV Healesville Country Club was listed at No.60 in Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Courses ranking, published in January this year.
RACV Healesville has only been nationally ranked since the redesign work of Mike Clayton was revealed in 2009. Since then, the little course nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range has received rave reviews.
"Here’s proof that a good course doesn’t need to be long or a par-72, to be deserving of a spot on the Top-100 list." – Top-100 Courses ranking judge, DJ Loypur.
“RACV Healesville is not your average course; par-68 measuring just under 5,000 metres. The course possesses many holes of wonderful design. It is a layout focussing primarily upon fun and playability,” commented Top-100 Courses judge, Matt Mollica. “It is a unique, intelligent design. Despite its modest length, it demands a place in the upper echelon of the nation’s courses. It boasts many fine holes, which would be the envy of countless courses through the country.”
Australian touring pro and Top-100 judge D.J Loypur added: “Here’s proof that a good course doesn’t need to be long or a par-72, to be deserving of a spot on the Top-100 list.”
Clayton’s layout covers some nicely undulating land, which offers stereotypical Australian bushland vistas. The views of rolling hills in the distance and gums on either side of the fairways add to the layout’s visual appeal.
The course was designed with repeat member play in mind. The RACV member demographic encompasses a broad age range, and likely an even broader spread of golfing skill and frequency of play. The course measures 4,944 metres from the back markers (4,272m for women) and is a par-68. The fairways are generously wide and there are no forced carries, while the greens feature dramatic undulations and are a lot of fun to putt on. They’re playable for golfers of all standards, yet demand accuracy and respect from regular golfers trying to post a good score.
Clayton once wrote: “It’s 5,500 yards and the aim was to make a course where Geoff Ogilvy, his dad and his mum could play off the same tees and all really enjoy it. There are enough really fun shots on and around the greens for Geoff to enjoy it – as well as a couple of long 3s, short but interesting 4s and a couple of longish two-shotters to give him some difficult long shots.”
The shining lights of any round here are the 423-metre par-5 8th, the driveable (for some) 265-metre par-4 12th and the closing four holes. Among the closing quartet is most noticeably, the reachable par-5 15th, which features a creek fiendishly weaving through the fairway, and back around the right of the green. The 18th green, a boomerang-shaped putting surface with a bunker cut into its middle, is different and memorable.
RACV Healesville bucks the trend of modern course design and construction, where length is king and developers demand a 6,500-metre plus par-72 punctuated by dozens of bunkers and fairways bordered by long grass. Such layouts are also costly to build, and expensive to maintain and all too often they can be anything but fun when you spend five hours on the course and lose a bagful of balls.
But Clayton has created a course where there are just 38 bunkers and the fairways are wide, which reward correctly placed drives. Around the greens, short grass has been widely used, which adds to the premium placed on accuracy with your approach shots.
So, what does this all mean? The layout is challenging and great fun for players of all standards and a round here will only take you three and a half hours at the most.
RACV Healesville is private for members of Melbourne’s RACV City Club and their guests. However, resort guests are also able to play the course.
WHERE TO STAY
YERING GORGE COTTAGES
Yering Gorge Cottages, which overlook parts of The Eastern layout, offer 4.5-star cottage-style accommodation featuring separate living and bedroom areas, with a private deck. There are 13 self-contained cottages with one-, two- or four-bedroom configurations.
The cottages (pictured below) are located in a private nature reserve offering bushwalking trails and an abundance of wildlife that roam freely across the property including Eastern Grey kangaroos, wombats, as well as 85+ different species of birdlife.
The Eastern Golf Club has a stay and play package that starts from $519 per night in a one-bedroom cottage for two people. The package includes a continental breakfast hamper, wifi, car parking and a welcome amenity as well as 18 holes of golf per person and one golf cart.
Guests will also enjoy full use of the clubhouse facilities and driving range – which offers unlimited range balls –fitness centre and tennis courts during their stay. Golf bookings must be made in advance and are subject to available tee times.
Additional green fees charges are $95 per person for 18 holes; $55 per person for 9 holes and $35 per person for Shark Waters.
To enquire about availability or to book, visit www.easterngolfclub.com.au or www.yeringcottages.com.au
YARRA VALLEY LODGE
The 4.5-star Yarra Valley Lodge offers spacious and superbly appointed guest rooms, with at least half the rooms enjoying a view across The Heritage Golf & Country Club’s St John course.
All guests are welcome to enjoy golf at The Heritage and the clubhouse facilities usually reserved for members and their guests. Stay and Play packages including two rounds of golf on either the St John or Henley courses and an optional electric cart are available.
For accommodation details, contact: www.rydges.com/accommodation/melbourne-vic/yarra-valley-lodge
SIPS AT THE 19TH
From small boutique vineyards, distilleries and breweries to well-known estates, every taste is covered in the Yarra Valley.
WINERIES
ROCHFORD
Rochford has become renowned for creating memorable experiences through its entertainment, fine dining and classic local wines.
Handpicked, unrefined and unfiltered, Rochford wines reflect passion and creativity in their winemaking. With grapes grown sustainably on three diverse vineyards, Rochford wines capture the essence of each season and celebrate the diverse microclimates found in the Yarra Valley.
With multiple restaurants, cellar doors, function spaces, wedding options and music events; Rochford is one of the top wineries near Melbourne offering a one-stop Yarra Valley experience like no other.
You can’t miss for drinking quality with any Rochford Chardonnay, while the 2021 Rochford Pinot Noir and 2021 Rochford Estate Pinot Gris are a must try.
DE BORTOLI
De Bortoli’s Yarra Valley Estate offers a range of tasting options from general tastings of their Yarra Valley wines, to gourmet tastings including most of their premium labels as well as carefully selected cheeses from its Cheese Room.
The Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding or, if you’re after a ‘sticky’ experience, try their iconic Noble One (2018) Botrytis Semillon.
DOMAINE CHANDON
Domaine Chandon was established by French champagne house Moët & Chandon in 1986 and is dedicated to the production of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine and premium quality, cool-climate still wines.
There are three cellar door experiences to choose from – tastings to masterclasses, between 20 and 55 minutes and $18 to $60. Then adjourn to the lounge bar for a glass of Chandon Rose or Vintage Brut and soak in the Yarra Valley view.
YERING STATION
With vines first planted in 1838, Yering Station is proudly Victoria’s first vineyard. A jewel of the Yarra Valley, Yering Station produces world-class cool climate wines.
Housed in the original winery building circa 1859, Yering’s heritage cellar door and wine store allows visitors to be taken on a journey of their wines best suited to your palate and preference.
DISTILLERIES
KILLIK RUM
One of only two dedicated Rum distilleries in Victoria and the only Australian producer of High Ester Rum, Killik is a unique experience within Australia.
At their cellar door, nestled into the picturesque Sherbrooke Forest in Belgrave, you can experience all of their rums along with a range of delicious food options designed by their chef to compliment the drinks menu.
FOUR PILLARS GIN
Since launching in 2013, Four Pillars gins have received the highest accolades at spirit competitions around the world.
The Four Pillars Distillery was built in a former timber yard, on Healesville’s main street, and is home to four German sister-stills Wilma, Jude, Eileen and Beth.
The Distillery Door is open seven days a week, where guests can do a tasting of all the gins in the Four Pillars range or enjoy a multitude of gin drinks from the bar, including gin and tonic paddles.
BREWERIES
WATTS RIVER BREWING
This small, independent, family-owned brewery located in Healesville is focused on producing high quality, simple but flavoursome beers to suit a diverse range of palates.
With five core range beers always on tap, plus regularly rotating small-batch creations, they draw inspiration from old-world Belgian ales as well as new world craft techniques to create a range of really drinkable beers.
www.wattsriverbrewing.com.au
COLDSTREAM BREWERY
Coldstream Brewery has beers and ciders on tap for tasting and to take away as well as short-run seasonal limited release beer, which is also available on tap.
Coldstream Brewery provides a friendly place to stop and relax at the gateway of the stunning Yarra Valley and is the perfect start or end to your journey through the region. Cheers!
www.coldstreambrewery.com.au
WHERE TO PLAY
THE HERITAGE G&CC
Green fees: Members only but tee times available for guests of adjoining Yarra Valley Lodge ($100 18 holes, weekdays; $115 weekends) as well as interstate and international visitors.
THE EASTERN GC
Green fee: The Eastern (pictured above) is a private members’ club. Interstate and international visitors ($150 per round) can enquire about tee times. Yering Gorge Cottage guests have access to the course ($95 per round).
YERING MEADOWS GC
Green fees: $50 (18 holes, weekdays), $60 (weekends).
GARDINERS RUN GOLF COURSE
Green fees: $50 (18 holes, weekdays), $60 (weekends).
RACV HEALESVILLE CC (pictured below)
Green fee: For members of the RACV Club ($23, 18 holes, weekdays; $34 weekends) and their guests ($40 and $50 weekends). Non -members staying at the resort can enquire with the pro shop.
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