A year ago, one lucky scribe from this esteemed publication was taken on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, scoping out Luxury Adventures’ Ultra Luxe Itinerary in New Zealand’s North Island. Turns out, it would be twice in a lifetime.
Part Two of the Ultra Luxe Golf Tour explores New Zealand’s South, playing some of the world’s most critically acclaimed golf courses, staying at five-star boutique hotels, taking helicopters to the tops of mountain ranges, and dining at some of the country’s finest restaurants, led by some of the best chefs on the planet. Exploring this part of the world is always exciting; doing it in luxury is something else entirely.
Luxury Adventures has long been responsible for crafting first-class itineraries for travellers wanting to experience pockets of the world in the best possible way. Now, they are making waves in the golf scene, and for good reason. Their Ultra-Luxe golf itinerary is becoming increasingly popular among travelling golfers; those setting their sights not only on elite golf experiences, but on enjoying them in a way like no other.
The Queenstown and Central Otago chapter of our Ultra Luxe odyssey is nothing short of dreamy. We landed in Queenstown to sweeping vistas of mountains and lakes, before playing some of New Zealand’s most spectacular golf, staying in castles of luxury, dining like emperors, and even hitting golf balls from the top of a snow-covered mountain range.
Over four action-packed days, we took on Millbrook Resort’s two championship courses, battled Jack’s Point’s strategic demands, and tested ourselves at Queenstown Golf Club. Our lodgings were the indulgent RŌKI Collection – 15 ultra-chic lakefront suites by designer Virginia Fisher – and Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown’s five-star historic boutique, freshly crowned a 2025 Michelin Key property. Both offered roaring fireplaces, second-to-none service, and restaurants brimming with local flavour.
We delved into the eccentric RŌKI dishes from the hands of world-renowned chef Paul Froggatt, quietly sipping luxury wines in RŌKI’s Essence. Combine that with another night fireside at Eichardt’s – fine steaks paired with Pinot Noir – and it was quintessentially Kiwi.
Then, there was the flying part.
Over The Top Helicopters took us to 4,500ft for our “Altitude Green” – New Zealand’s world-famous par-3 course. Playing a tiny strip of turf perched above Queenstown was a jaw-dropper. Along the way, this writer squeezed in spa dips, wine tastings, and more than a few laughs about how I might never look at a golf trip the same way again.
Millbrook Resort kicked off the Ultra Luxe. Flanking the outskirts of Arrowtown, Millbrook is a full alpine escape and current host of the New Zealand Open; you know you’re in for a championship test. The Remarkables Course was the resort’s original layout, routed by John Darby and the great Sir Bob Charles. Its backdrops are indescribably beautiful, weaving through rolling fairways bisected by creeks and accented by ancient pines.
At tee-off, crisp mountain air fills the lungs, and the turf is as pure as you’ll find. The greens are large and fast - generous targets, but often guarded by strategic bunkering. Positioning is key, with surfaces running true year-round.
The finishing stretch on The Remarkables layout is fantastic: risk-reward par-4s followed by a famous par-3 finisher requiring precision to an island-style green protected by water. A fitting way to wrap up a superb round.
By noon, the Millhouse restaurant is calling your name – a century-old stone building with a giant turning wheel by the stream. It is as scenic a lunch setting as you could imagine, with big windows looking out onto golfers tackling the par-3 18th.
We then reloaded the carts for Millbrook’s Coronet Course, a newer par 72 (6342m from the tips). Coronet shows off Millbrook’s more rugged side. After two relatively gentle opening holes, the layout plunges and rises through wild schist canyons and wetlands. The course's back nine highlights Greg Turner’s design brilliance; you’ll use almost every club in the bag.
The standout for this writer was the downhill par-4 13th, where the bold can have a crack at the green, though bunkers and a delicate pitch await. A hole with more than one way to make four – a brilliant piece of design.
RIGHT: A historic lakefront masterpiece. PHOTO: Supplied.
Millbrook’s courses are consistently ranked among New Zealand’s top 10, and playing them back-to-back was a privilege.
After golf, we retired to Eichardt’s Private Hotel.
Eichardt’s exudes an antique charm rooted in its 1860s origins, its history woven through polished timber and Persian rugs. There is no such thing as a “standard” room here; each suite is unique. Ours featured a bay-window nook overlooking the lake, along with fireplaces and heated floors.
The concierge swiftly dried our golf gear after late rain at Millbrook, and by evening we were gathered by the grand fireplace for a whisky toast.
Dining at Eichardt’s hit another high note. We began at Eichardt’s Bar before moving to The Grille, where the menu showcased Southland scallops and high-country venison. In truth, every dish lived up to the promise of “the best of New Zealand local cuisine”.
My personal favourite was the steak, though others raved about the venison and chestnut purée. Beyond the windows, Queenstown shimmered with lake lights - a perfect finale. Afterwards, we wandered to the terrace for one last whisky by the water.
Arriving at Jack’s Point the next day felt like stepping into another world, snowfall adding to the drama.
Jack’s Point is raw and striking. One side drops into Lake Wakatipu; the other stretches into golden fescue climbing toward snow-capped peaks. The clubhouse is an immaculate wood-and-stone lodge, but out on course, you feel wonderfully isolated.
Designed by John Darby in 2008, the par-72 layout has been widely lauded – ranked No.2 in New Zealand by New Zealand Golf magazine in 2020 – and, depending on who you ask, it might just be the country’s finest golfing experience.
The standout on the front nine was the short par-4 6th: around 260m, plunging downhill off a cliff with stone walls and tussock lurking. The par-3 7th is another gem, played from an elevated tee to a green perched on the hillside, spectacular Lake Wakatipu glistening beyond.
By the 15th, you’re on the plateau among sheep paddocks and wooden gates – a slice of Scotland beneath The Remarkables.
After 18 holes, you feel like a conquering Olympian.
The following day delivered another highlight, even for someone with a mild fear of heights.
Strapping into an Over The Top Helicopters chopper, Louisa “Choppy” Patterson’s operation - running since 1986 – lifted us toward Milford Sound. Soaring over the Southern Alps was breathtaking, a spectacle of pure, emphatic beauty.
Forty minutes after a Fiordland stopover, we traced Lake Wakatipu before landing on the “Altitude Green” atop Cecil Peak. Over The Top Helicopters call it “possibly the world’s most picturesque heli golf location”, and it’s hard to argue.
We banked over the lake, the Remarkables looming, before settling into tee boxes carved into the mountainside. If the view didn’t shake your knees, the tiny distant green certainly did.
The entire Over The Top experience was the standout of the itinerary. For any golf lover, it’s worth its weight in gold. After celebratory high-fives, the helicopter whisked us back toward Queenstown.
That afternoon, we returned to RŌKI Collection, a new waterfront urban lodge. Coined as "the luxury of tranquillity”, it lives up to the billing. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, while interiors featured cream leathers, sculptural fireplaces, and a soaking tub big enough for two.
Service was exceptional – a butler unpacked our golf bags and even set our clubs out on a mat the next morning.
RIGHT: RŌKI Collection is phenomenal and oozes excellence. PHOTO: Supplied by Luxury Adventures.
Dining at RŌKI is a two-step affair. Lunch at The Terrace offered a more relaxed setting under the direction of Paul Froggatt, a Michelin-trained chef. The menu leaned into local seafood and beef, supported by a superb Central Otago Pinot list. It balanced refinement with warmth - linen napkins paired with a relaxed, almost pub-like bar atmosphere.
That evening, we experienced RŌKI’s Essence tasting menu. The four-course journey was theatrical, with dishes revealed under cloches and presented with flair. Froggatt himself greeted us, while the sommelier expertly paired each course. It felt as though New Zealand was being told through food - and it did not disappoint.
Our final major golf stop was Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights. This classic par-72 layout (6102m) sits on a peninsula with 270-degree lake views and is often labelled New Zealand’s most scenic course. Fairways roll alongside the water, framed by The Remarkables.
This is quintessential Kiwi golf – a top-tier layout with a welcoming, country-club feel. Solid holes, genuine challenge, and unforgettable views combine to make it something special.
Arrowtown Golf Club is another standout on the Ultra Luxe itinerary. We didn’t play it this time, but it can easily be included. Personally, it sits in this scribe’s top three in the country - a course that reconnects you with why you fell in love with golf in the first place.
Carved through rugged schist terrain, it rewards creativity, imagination, and shot-making. Tight lines, tricky greens, and elevation changes certainly give it immense character.
The Queenstown Ultra Luxe itinerary is a tour de force of sight, sound, taste and adrenaline.
Exiting each fairway glowing, Queenstown proves itself as more than just mountains and adventure – it is a destination that indulges every sense. From the brilliance of Jack’s Point to the lakeside elegance of Eichardt’s, every stop is memorable.
A final note – and an important one. Experiencing both North and South Island itineraries with Steve and Dee from Luxury Adventures was a genuine privilege and a career highlight.
Having now experienced both, it is difficult to put into words the excellence and attention to detail delivered by the team. Each itinerary is thoughtfully curated, blending world-class golf with memorable off-course experiences, outstanding food and exceptional accommodation.
What stands out most is the ease of it all – every request met with warmth and an instinctive understanding of what makes a great golf trip truly special. Luxury Adventures doesn’t just show you New Zealand at its best, it allows you to experience it in a way that feels personal, seamless, and deeply rewarding.
I would recommend the Ultra-Luxe to anybody wanting to experience some of the best golf on the planet, delivered first-class by true professionals who genuinely care about making your journey unforgettable.
FOR MORE, VISIT: https://www.luxuryadventures.co.nz/listing/the-ultra-luxe-new-zealand-golf-tour/
LIVE FOREVER
Live Forever Golf is making golf a little smoother, a little looser, and injecting the game with a touch more personality. On a trip defined by detail, luxury and some of the finest golf experiences in the world, the threads felt like a natural fit.
Founded in 2020 by a group of mates in northeast Florida, including PGA Tour winner Matt Every, Live Forever Golf has quickly carved out a place in the modern apparel landscape. What began in a garage during the pandemic has grown into a globally recognised lifestyle brand, built on friendship, creativity and a desire to challenge traditional golf fashion.
The identity is clear: gear designed for the player, not the perception of the game. Relaxed fits, clean designs and a versatility that moves seamlessly from tee boxes to town centres to long-table dinners. It is golf apparel without the stiffness that once defined the category.
That ethos translated perfectly across the South Island leg of the Ultra-Luxe itinerary. Early mornings at Millbrook demanded warmth and flexibility. Afternoon sessions at Jack’s Point and Queenstown Golf Club called for comfort without compromising on style. Evenings at the bar required something that could hold its own in a five-star setting without ever feeling out of place. Live Forever Golf handled it all with ease.
There is a broader shift happening in golf fashion, and Live Forever sits firmly at the centre of it - a move away from rigid dress codes and toward something that better reflects how golfers actually live.
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