A Golfer’s Guide to New Zealand’s South Island, by Cameron Ferguson

When most people think of the South Island, they picture soaring peaks, alpine lakes, and adventure at every turn. For me, it’s also one of the most striking backdrops in the world for golf. As Director of Golf Travel, I love bringing travelers here because Queenstown offers something rare: courses that rival the best in the world, paired with a destination that feels equally rewarding for golfers and non-golfers alike.

Queenstown: Where Golf Meets Adventure

Set against the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown feels cinematic from the moment you arrive. It’s a place where you can play championship golf in the morning, sip Central Otago Pinot Noir in the afternoon, and finish the day with a helicopter flight over glaciers. For Tribù clients, Queenstown is never just about golf — it’s about weaving the alpine drama into a seamless journey.

Jack’s Point: Golf on the Edge of the Lake

Jack’s Point is the course that best captures the South Island’s spirit. Carved into the landscape above Lake Wakatipu, it delivers jaw-dropping views from nearly every hole. The fairways undulate naturally across the terrain, making the course feel both wild and strategic. Securing tee times here can be competitive, but our relationships ensure it’s a stress-free part of your itinerary.

Millbrook Resort: A Classic Made Modern

Just outside Queenstown, Millbrook Resort offers a complete golf-and-stay experience. With three nine-hole loops set against alpine valleys and snow-capped peaks, it’s the kind of place where you can play a different routing every day. The resort’s luxury accommodations and spa make it perfect for couples or families — a balance I often build into South Island itineraries.

Beyond the Fairways

What makes Queenstown truly special is how easily non-golfers fall in love with it. While one partner plays Jack’s Point, the other might be exploring Central Otago wine country — cycling between vineyards, tasting world-class Pinot Noir, and savoring long lunches overlooking rolling hills.

The ultimate shared experience, however, is a helicopter journey to Milford Sound. This is one of those days that defines a South Island trip. You’ll lift off over alpine ridges, land on a glacier for Champagne or hot cocoa in the snow, then continue on to the Sound itself for a private cruise among sheer cliffs and waterfalls. It’s the kind of seamless, once-in-a-lifetime adventure we love to build into our itineraries — the balance of adrenaline, natural wonder, and indulgence that makes New Zealand so extraordinary.

The Tribù Difference

The South Island doesn’t just offer golf — it offers a stage for extraordinary moments. We take care of the logistics that elevate a trip beyond what you could plan on your own: helicopter transfers between courses, vineyard dinners under the stars, or glacier landings that feel worlds away yet flow effortlessly into the journey.

In Queenstown, golf is the anchor, but it’s the mountain peaks, the wine, and the seamless experiences that make it unforgettable.

➡️ Planning the full journey? Don’t miss my Golfer’s Guide to New Zealand’s North Island. Together, the two islands create one of the most dynamic golf adventures in the world.

Dreaming of your next golf getaway? Let Tribù Travel design a custom journey that pairs world-class courses with unforgettable experiences. 👉 Start planning your trip here