Explore Victoria’s golfing greats
Beyond Melbourne’s Sandbelt, there are more greens to discover.
Melbourne’s renowned Sandbelt region captures a deserved amount of attention from the world’s keenest golfers; after all, there are eight world-class courses within an hour of the CBD. A round at the historic Royal Melbourne Golf Club or new spotlight-stealer Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club, for example, can be sandwiched between a business lunch (the lively Di Stasio Citta, distasio.com.au, is dependably delicious) and evening drinks in an atmospheric laneway bar (Cumulus Up, cumulusup.com.au, is a foolproof choice). Here are two other golf-loving regions within easy reach of Melbourne.
Bellarine Peninsula
Forming the western curl of Port Phillip Bay, the Bellarine Peninsula is both the gateway to the famed Great Ocean Road and a destination in its own right. Experienced players love Barwon Heads Golf Club (barwonheads.golf), a centuryold course near the tip of the bluff. Evoking a Scottish links with its rolling green hills and blustery winds off Bass Strait, this course is subtly challenging and soothingly picturesque. Nearby, 13th Beach Golf Links (13thbeachgolf.com) – host of the lively annual Vic Open tournament – offers a choice of creek or beach courses and brand-new lodge-style accommodation. To recharge post-game, stop for a meal at esteemed restaurant Igni (restaurantigni.com), before retiring to the cosy Lon Retreat (lonretreat.com.au), where an onsite mineral spa can work wonders on tired muscles.
Mornington Peninsula
Locals and visitors alike are attracted to the Mornington Peninsula with its rugged coastal scenery and more than 100 wineries. Although usually reserved for members, the National Golf Club (nationalgolf.com.au) offers tee times for interstate and international players and boasts an outstanding outlook over glittering Bass Strait. St Andrews Beach Golf Course (standrewsbeachgolf. com.au) in Fingal prides itself on a no-stuffiness approach with its “simply great” course designed by architect Tom Doak. It’s also a public-access course so securing your desired tee time is only a matter of booking ahead. The par-70 Championship course RACV Cape Schanck is just around the corner. Complete your Mornington Peninsula experience by checking in to Jackalope (hotel.qantas.com.au/ jackalope), with its pretty vineyard views, and dining on the region’s best produce at Polperro (polperrowines.com.au).