Queenstown Golf Club

Scenery on steroids is what sets the Queenstown Golf Club, also known as the Kelvin Heights Golf Course, apart from most other courses found within city and town boundaries throughout New Zealand. Golf may seem a sport almost too sedate for the Adventure Capital of the World. But the Queenstown Golf Club is situated at the tip of the Kelvin Heights peninsula, jutting out into the spectacular indigo-blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, and this location is enough to take your breath away.

The setting for the 18-hole course is unmistakably alpine: the towering Remarkables range, its jagged peaks outlined against cloudless skies in summer, becomes a snow-covered skiers' paradise in winter; the course's deciduous trees blaze vermilion during autumn.

While there's no hurtling down ski slopes or bungee jumps to be had, pulses are bound to quicken whilst preparing to negotiate the par-4 fifth hole where the lake along its left-hand border guarantees a watery grave for wayward shots. Holes nine and 10 are also testing with the green at the par-4 ninth appearing to perch above the lake. Offline shots will be punished as the green slopes meanly at each side and to the back. There's no time to relax because the next hole, a par-3 of 110 metres, is regarded as the most deceptive on the course. Once again the green seems to hover above the lake, which can be sighted through a gap in the trees that flank this hole. For anyone distracted by the view, scorecard disappointment awaits. Given the course's popularity, reservations are recommended. The course and its fully licensed bar and clubrooms, sited on the course's highest point, are open seven days a week. 759 Peninsula Road.

(03) 442 9169, queenstowngolf.co.nz

Green fees: 18 holes $60 (NZ affiliate) and $95 (visitor) during high season (1 September-30 April). Cart hire ($45 per two-person cart) is advised due to the undulating nature of the course.