Matauri Bay · Northland
Kauri Cliffs
#8 in NZ
Perched high above the South Pacific at Matauri Bay, Kauri Cliffs is one of the world's premier golfing destinations, combining championship golf with extraordinary natural beauty. Designed by David Harman, a protégé of Jack Nicklaus, the course is set within 6,000 acres of working sheep and cattle farmland and forms the centrepiece of the acclaimed Rosewood Kauri Cliffs luxury resort.
The course winds through rolling countryside before emerging onto dramatic coastal cliffs, where sweeping views across the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett, and the Cavalli Islands create an unforgettable backdrop. Consistently ranked among the world's top golf courses, Kauri Cliffs is celebrated for its exceptional design, pristine conditioning, and the perfect balance of challenge and playability.
Reflecting on the project, David Harman described the property as "a special piece of land" whose astounding natural beauty inspired the creation of a golf course that golfers from around the world would admire while preserving its identity as a working farm.
In 2014, renowned architect Rees Jones was commissioned by owner Julian Robertson to undertake a selective renovation, most notably redesigning the 5th hole into a spectacular 140-yard drop-shot par three. The changes introduced greater variety and strategy while showcasing even more of the dramatic cliffside scenery. Jones praised the result, calling Kauri Cliffs "one of the great coastal golf courses in the world" and crediting Harman with creating "one of the great golf experiences" that successfully challenges elite players while remaining enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.
Today, Kauri Cliffs stands as a bucket-list destination, where world-class architecture, breathtaking ocean vistas, and luxury hospitality combine to deliver one of the finest golf experiences anywhere on the planet.
Beyond the course
The Kauri Cliffs experience
Stay — Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
The five-star lodge on the property, with suites and villas overlooking the Pacific.
Dining
Clifftop fine dining showcasing Northland produce and seafood.
POOL & SEASIDE
Three secluded beaches along the estate.
Big-game fishing
world-famous deep-sea and game fishing off the coast.
Where we play
Kauri Cliffs
Te Arai Links — North Course
Te Arai Links — South Course
Royal Auckland & Grange
Wairakei International
The Kinloch Club
Cape Kidnappers
Paraparaumu Beach
Royal Wellington
Clearwater
Terrace Downs
Jack's Point
Millbrook — Coronet
Millbrook — Remarkables
The Hills
Glendhu Bay
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
Eagles Nest
Paroa Bay
Te Arai Links
Kinloch Manor & Villas
Huka Lodge
Poronui Lodge
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
The Lindis
Mt Isthmus
Rosewood Matakauri
Eichardt's
Blanket Bay
Mahu Whenua
The New Zealand Experience
