Te Arai Links is a world-class coastal destination on New Zealand's North Island, positioned alongside a pristine stretch of coastline roughly 75 minutes' scenic drive from Auckland CBD — or 25 minutes by helicopter. The resort brings together two top 100-ranked links golf courses, luxury coastal accommodation and exceptional on-site dining, all set among lush landscapes, majestic sand dunes and views over one of the country's finest white-sand surf beaches.
Golf is at the heart of the experience: the Tom Doak-designed North Course and the Coore & Crenshaw-designed South Course showcase the coastal landscape and play firm and fast over fescue. Off the course, guests can unwind with yoga and wellness sessions, a stunning Spa & Fitness Centre, or activities including mountain biking, water sports, tennis and pickleball.
Dining spans five venues — from all-day casual dining at Ric's at the Ocean and chef-led menus at the North Clubhouse to mid-round favourites at the Halfway House and coffee at Silver Bean. Accommodation ranges from Ocean View Rooms to two-bedroom Ocean Cottages and four-bedroom Villas, with a warm, relaxed welcome throughout.
There are places built around golf, and then there are places where the game feels woven into the landscape itself. Te Arai Links, set alongside a pristine stretch of New Zealand coastline about 75 minutes north of Auckland's CBD, belongs firmly to the second category. Arrive by scenic drive or — if you're in a hurry — by a 25-minute helicopter flight, and you step into another world: lush landscapes, majestic sand dunes, and sweeping views over one of the country's finest white-sand surf beaches.
Te Arai Links boasts two top 100-ranked links courses, and each has serious pedigree. The North Course is the work of Tom Doak, one of modern golf architecture's most admired names, while the South Course comes from Coore & Crenshaw, the duo behind some of the world's most celebrated designs. Both courses showcase the coastal landscape and play firm and fast over fescue — true links golf in the oldest sense.
The experience is deliberately purist. Te Arai Links is a walking-only facility with no golf carts available for hire, and only spikeless footwear is permitted on either course — spikes of any kind, including softspikes, are strictly prohibited. Caddies are an integral part of the golfing experience here, with single-bag, double-bag and forecaddie services available on request. Callaway rental clubs can be arranged for travelling golfers, and the on-site PGA professionals offer playing lessons and group clinics booked in advance.
Visitors are welcome through green fee play, which may only be booked within 28 days of your preferred date of play. Australian and New Zealand residents enjoy a reduced green fee, with proof of residency required at check-in at the Golf Shop. If you're planning a trip, note that each course closes briefly for aerification at set times through the year, so it pays to check dates before locking in travel.
Food and drink at Te Arai Links is spread across five venues, each with its own rhythm. Ric's at the Ocean is the sociable heart of the resort — a relaxed, welcoming spot set in a stunning location looking out across the 18th fairway of the South Course, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. It serves all-day casual dining alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of cocktails and beverages, equally suited to unwinding after a round or gathering the family for a meal.
The North Clubhouse trades on its front-row seat: watch surfers catch waves, golfers play the 1st and 18th holes, or golden hour as the sun sets behind the pines. It's casual throughout the day and refined in the evening, with carefully curated menus crafted by Head Chef Zane Neustroski and his team, balancing club favourites with locally sourced, seasonal produce from the coastline.
Mid-round on the North Course, the Halfway House between holes 10 and 11 has built a following for its burger dogs, fish tacos and Links Margaritas — a welcome pause during the round. It's open to golfers playing the North Course that day and to resort guests. Near the range at the South Clubhouse, the Silver Bean is the spot for a coffee and quick bite on the way to the first tee. And for members, the Bunker Bar offers a bespoke cocktail-bar experience that is not open to the public or resort guests.
Accommodation is generously scaled. Ocean View Rooms put you in the heart of Te Arai Links with luxurious, spacious ocean-view lodgings; two-bedroom Ocean Cottages offer serene, refined comfort and panoramic views; and four-bedroom Villas are made for relaxed, stylish living. Larger private home and Whaitere options sleep up to eight adults. Room rates include breakfast — an a la carte item with tea or coffee — and children are considered ages 3 to 16.
When you're not on the course, there's plenty to fill the day: yoga and wellness sessions, mountain biking, water sports, tennis and pickleball, plus a stunning new Spa & Fitness Centre. Gift cards, valid for three years from purchase, can be spent on accommodation, green fees, rental items, food and beverage and merchandise.
Book tee times and stays through reservations, and request caddies in advance by email to secure your spot. Pack spikeless shoes, leave the cart expectation at home, and give yourself time beyond the 18th — at Te Arai Links, the coastline is as much the attraction as the golf.