WAIRAKEI GOLF COURSE - 15 POINTS
Wairakei is an unusual place - back in the 1970s the government charged Englishman, Commander John Harris, with the job of producing the country’s finest golf course to promote tourism to the Lake Taupo area.
And, this may be the only course I have played which is also a nature sanctuary. The current owner, Gary Lane, decided that he would like to make the golf course an ecologically friendly area for a variety of species. So a fence was put round the property to ward off predators and kiwi chicks were introduced with the golf course becoming a kind of creche for them to ‘find their feet and grow’. There’s a whole array of other birds, as well as deer, all across the property.
It was certainly a very peaceful place to play. You feel like you’re away from it all and the background sounds of birds chirping and singing make for a relaxing round.
Since Harris built Wairakei many new courses have come to the New Zealand golf scene, but Wairakei remains a favourite of many locals.
It’s a parkland course which majors on aesthetics and conditioning. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a pushover - far from it. Water features may look attractive but they are not simply ornamental and come into play on several occasions. And the exotic trees or bushes you will find scattered around can also gobble up your ball.
The golf course itself is pleasant. The more interesting holes are in the middle of the property and have more elevation than those at the beginning and end of the round. The pine forest makes for an interesting backdrop on several holes and adds to the feeling of serenity and beauty.
It must be hard for the club and greenkeepers to balance the different needs of a golf course and a nature sanctuary and, were this just a golf course, there are quite a few places where I would widen fairways or cut down trees. But the nature sanctuary aspect makes for something different among the ‘pure golf’ courses you are likely to play elsewhere on your travels.
BOOKING THE COURSE
The course is open to visitors seven days a week. There is no online booking engine but you can make an enquiry here.
The green fee is NZ$345 (about £170) for international visitors, NZ$295 for Aussies, NZ$320 for non-affiliated NZ residents and NZ$260 for NZ affiliated members - so quite a few different price tiers!
TOUR TIPS
Wairakei is only five minutes drive outside of Taupo (pronounced Toe-paw). It's centred around Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, formed in a volcanic crater. The area is a hotspot for trout fishing, water sports, and hiking. Nearby, the Huka Falls and the wonders of the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park are major attractions.
Taupo isn’t a huge place but it’s a real holiday destination so there are plenty of motels and hotels in the area. I stayed at the Sails on the Lake hotel which was just fine. You can see Tripadvisor’s top ranked hotels here.
There are plenty of restaurants in town too - it seems to be a hotbed of Indian food! I ate in Plateau which was very good. I would advise booking ahead though as Taupo can get busy.
If you are staying here then Kinloch would be the obvious other course to add to your itinerary.
CONTACT DETAILS
Wairakei Golf and Sanctuary
527 Wairakei Drive
Taupo
New Zealand
Phone Number: +64 7 374 8152
Email: info@wairakeigolf.co.nz
Website: www.wairakeigolfcourse.co.nz
