The picturesque seaside town of Nambucca Heads is an easy 40-minute drive south of the Coffs Harbour course. This is where the Nambucca River flows into the sea and there are several lookouts dotted along the headlands offering spectacular views – to South West Rocks to the south, north towards Coffs Harbour and west along the river to the mountains. This westerly aspect also provides a glimpse of the town’s unique golf course.

Nambucca Heads Island GC. PHOTO: Brendan James.

The par-69 layout of the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club is the only course in Australia that occupies an entire island. The original nine-hole course was extended to an 18-hole layout in 1992 to occupy all of Stuart Island in the Nambucca River, just upstream from where the river meets the sea.

It is a picturesque layout that – like several lesser-known courses in the Coffs Coast region – will surprise the visiting golfer expecting “just another country course”. Nambucca Island is certainly more than that.

Whether it is the waters of the Nambucca River, rows of pine trees or casuarinas, bunkers or the rise and fall of the greens, each hole has at least one defence or a combination of the above. The 354-metre par-4 1st throws down the challenge from the opening tee shot. Although the fairway is generously wide, the beautiful Nambucca River laps at the shore just a few metres from the left edge of the fairway.

In March last year it was a much different scene with the river breaking its banks and covering most of the course in floodwater and accompanying silt. It was a similar story to varying degrees for courses right across the Coffs Coast region, but all have since recovered nicely.

Standing in the middle of the short par-4 3rd hole, the couch fairway is pure and carpet-like. Up ahead, the putting surface is smooth beneath the morning dew. It’s hard to imagine this hole was one of many that were six feet under water at the height of the floods. The recovery has been amazing.

There are several water hazards – apart from the river – that come into play throughout the round, which features some standout short holes.

The slight dogleg left par-4 6th measures 326 metres from the tips and can be played a variety of ways, as long as you avoid the wetlands that line the left edge of the fairway. The hazard also wraps around the back of the green, adding some spice to the shot and club selection for the second shot.

Water also plays a role on the next hole, arguably Nambucca’s best par-3. The 175-metre 7th features a large, beautifully shaped green that is the target beyond a lake and a stream, which cuts in front of the green and winds along the right of the small section of fairway short of the putting surface.

Playing the ‘Island’ at Nambucca is more than just memorable for the river and its tree-lined fairways. It is a fun course to play.

Halfway between Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour, and about 10 minutes’ drive west of the Pacific Highway via Waterfall Way, is the beautiful hinterland town of Bellingen – renowned for its cultural festivals, markets and an appetite-satisfying destination for food lovers.

Bellingen GC. PHOTO: Brendan James.

It is also home to the scenic Bellingen Golf Club. Framed by the Great Dividing Range and lying beside the snaking Bellinger River, the beautifully tree-lined Bellingen layout features ten greens and alternate tees for 18 holes laid out across interesting terrain.

Two ridges run through the length of the Bellingen course creating some unique holes among huge camphor laurels and ancient fig trees. The best of these is the 456-metre par-5 4th hole, which is a tight driving hole that tracks the valley between the two ridges, and massive trees, before doglegging slightly right to leave an uphill approach to a tiny green perched above the fairway.

It’s a similar story playing the next – a terrific short par-4 of 308 metres where you play alongside a ridge to an expansive fairway before the hole turns slightly left and climbs the ridge to a wide elevated green. On the back nine, the approach is very different when played as the 265-metre 14th as the tee is located behind the 13th green (a green you only play once during the 18 holes) leaving a subtle dogleg right that favours the right-handed faders among us.

Heading north from Bellingen, take another diversion from the Pacific Highway to reach one of the prettiest villages on the NSW north coast, Sawtell. This idyllic beachside location is a good fit with the easy-going vibe here.

Sawtell GC. PHOTO: Brendan James.

Sawtell’s main street, just a short stroll from the beach, has some great cafés and restaurants. If you’re looking for a good coffee and a nice view, you’ll get both, as you wile away the time before another round of golf, at the Sawtell Surf Club’s The Kiosk. The views across the beach to the breaking waves are outstanding and the coffee is pretty good too.

Sawtell Golf Club is only a bit more than a lengthy par-5 from the beach via the town’s pretty Moreton Bay fig-lined main street.