Spectacular is a word overused throughout this feature. Overused, but accurate. There isn’t a term which better describes playing golf at some of New Zealand’s finest – and globally ranked – layouts; what comes alongside the golf is even more of a representation of the adjective.
The lodge at Cape Kidnappers sets the standard for any on-site accommodation.
When you enter, it feels beyond exceptional. Set among dramatic cliffs, you feel removed from the world. The design leans into farmhouse charm: weathered wood, wide verandas and open-plan living spaces which spill effortlessly into the landscape. It is all impeccably done; every view is framed. A retreat leaning into an escape.
Spacious suites and The Owner’s Cottage are all designed with warm wood, soft textiles, and coastal-inspired decor. The culinary experience at Kidnappers’ Restaurant is the finest dining experience I have ever had, period. The seasonal menus are crafted from the best local meats, seafood and produce and paired with acclaimed Hawke’s Bay wines, which are served in the lodge’s dining room or more intimate settings.
Beyond the 18 holes, the Ultra-Luxe includes activities like farm tours, spa treatments, hiking, clay shooting, mountain biking, or exploring the world’s largest mainland gannet colony on the property. It is the complete package and, in all honesty, was a hard place to leave. Until we arrived at the next…
Taupo is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. It has something for everyone. With hot Springs, adventure and first-class lodges, luxury is at your fingertips and comes from every angle.
Before we discuss the phenomenal golf, which slides slightly under the radar on the broader scheme of the Kiwi golfing landscape, I’d like to talk about the aspect of the itinerary which made me shake in my boots a bit.
I have never been an adrenaline junkie. I enjoy driving the speed limit and staying at ground level. Boring? Maybe.
Steve had locked this resident journo in for a 47-metre bungy jump at AJ Hackett Taupo Bungy and Swing.
It was the only thing on this list of luxury which made me squirm a bit. I had lived lavishly and the life of a high roller for several days. It was time to get out of my comfort zone.
I jumped. Would I do it again? Probably not, but I definitely did something I wouldn’t have otherwise. Extracurriculars like this feel endless on the Ultra-Luxe; no stone is left unturned.
Kinloch Manor, awesome.
First of all, it is emphatic as a facility away from the golf course.
Kinloch Manor blends architectural drama with refined rural luxury. Built to echo the form of a modern-day castle, the manor stands boldly above Lake Taupo with a mix of schist stone, steel and natural timber. Inside, it’s all deeply considered elegance – soaring ceilings, statement fireplaces and communal spaces which feel both grand and grounded. The restaurant leans into local produce with seasonal degustation menus, while the spa, gym and outdoor hot tub add polish to a stay that feels both indulgent and deeply connected to its setting.
Kinloch’s villas offer a more private take on luxury – self-contained, quietly elegant and echoing the same architectural character as the manor itself. With one or two bedrooms, each villa features generous living spaces, fireplaces and deep soaking tubs, all framed by lake or fairway views. The kitchens and heated stone bathrooms add comfort, while private terraces and optional in-room dining allow guests to switch off without losing touch with the lodge’s refined service.
Kinloch was a course of which I had heard rave reviews. I am historically not a massive fan of Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, but they do put a premium on accuracy. I think some aspects of his golf courses lack a bit of creativity and are very “American”, which just doesn’t tickle my fancy.
The Kinloch Club made me eat my words and some. Set on dramatic, undulating terrain overlooking Lake Taupo, it blends rugged, links-style features with strategic bunkering and fescue grasses. It pays homage to some of the great links courses across the globe.
Just a fantastic layout. It leapt into the top courses I’ve played in the country. I loved all aspects of the challenge provided.
Our visit here would round out our Ultra-Luxe tour; we all knew it was our final round of the trip. Mother Nature must have known, too, because she produced an absolute stunner. An early morning tee time in New Zealand hits slightly differently than anywhere else. There is a crispness in the air and the native birds hum as you use the practice facilities.
Golf at the Kinloch Club is a proper test of precision and strategy. It is a phenomenal championship ballpark that can tip the scales at 7363 yards off the championship tees.
The par-4 6th hole was a favourite here. It is one of the best short-fours in the country. A decision-making tee shot is on the cards, like with all great short par-4s. Hit an iron up the right where the fairway banks from right to left, leaving a wedge or low-iron into an undulating green guarded by bunkers and uneven rough. Bombers can have a dip; a small landing area on the direct line could help if you don’t quite catch your drive. I advise the former to allow yourself to use the contours.
Local beer was enjoyed at the clubhouse afterwards, while we reflected on our favourite tour moments.
The Ultra-Luxe tour explores New Zealand’s golf and beyond in first-class form. A golf trip, but elevated beyond my wildest fantasies. Every stop, from cliff-top fairways to fireside fine dining, is curated to deliver the country’s natural drama and hospitality with a polish of pure excellence. Luxury Adventures has struck the perfect balance: world-class golf, five-star living and a true immersion into what makes Aotearoa unforgettable. It’s not just about ticking off bucket list escapes; it’s about diving into them and the country which hosts them at full volume and in total luxury.
www.luxuryadventures.co.nz; info@luxuryadventures.co.nz
GOING PRO
Luke Brown admits the idea began over beers.
A mate once boasted he could go pro in golf within four years. Brown doubted him, then realised the real challenge lay with himself. “I reckon I could do it. Not him, but I could,” he recalls.
What started as a thought in the pub, became the seed for Going Pro, a raw documentary series tracking Brown’s unlikely journey from suburban dad battling alcohol and old habits to hopeful Australian Open qualifier.
“Ultimately, I needed a goal that would stop me drinking and give me a chance to repair my nervous system,” he says. “Who knows what’s possible if I could do that.”
Brown joined Luxury Adventures on the Ultra-Luxe along with the talented crew from Local Films.
Season One of Going Pro launches in October, documenting Brown’s first year chasing a goal many would dismiss as fantasy: making the field for the Australian Open. Even he knows how outrageous that might sound.
But for Brown, qualifying isn’t the only win. “A hundred percent, mate,” he tells Golf Australia magazine. “The main focus is the underlying themes … transforming your life is the main purpose of this doco.”
That transformation is personal. Brown speaks candidly of the toll alcohol took on his health and family, and his fear that his daughters would grow up seeing him as the individual he became on the booze.
Filming was accountability. “I actually need the film crew on it because I need that accountability piece,” he says. “Hopefully, the gains would be massive so that other men ... could possibly lean into it themselves.”
Brown’s goals in year one were modest on paper; get his handicap down to three, stay sober and build the daily habits of a professional athlete. But they carried an even bigger purpose: to break cycles, build belief, and show his daughters – and himself – what real change looks like. “I’ve never really liked the person I become when I’m drinking,” he says. “I’ve always hoped that being sober would suit me.”
As he eyes year two, Brown is considering taking a sabbatical from work and going all in on the dream. “Hopefully, the manifestations can change once you get into the new territory,” he says.
For now, Brown’s story isn’t about the destination, but the transformation along the way. And when Going Pro premieres on YouTube in October, he hopes it can spark something bigger. “If we’re not chasing something down ... we’re probably going to battle more often than not,” he says. “But if we are ... we’re closer to the better version of ourselves.”
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