Today you will play golf at Wairakei Gol & Sanctuary. Depending on the tee time, you have the option to sightsee some of the amazing geothermal features of this area before or after golf.
Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary, located just north of Taupō in New Zealand’s central North Island, is a pioneering golf destination that uniquely combines championship golf with native wildlife conservation. And very much a favourite with the Vivid Golf team.
Key Details:
Established: 1970
Location: Wairakei, Taupō, Waikato
Course Designer: Peter Thomson (five-time Open Champion) and Michael Wolveridge
Course Features:
The 18-hole par 72 championship course is set across rolling geothermal terrain, surrounded by native bush, streams, and waterfalls.
In 2011, Wairakei became New Zealand’s first predator-free golf sanctuary, enclosed by a 5.5 km pest-proof fence and home to endangered species such as kiwi, takahē, and fallow deer.
The course is known for its strategic bunkering, natural water features, and peaceful ambiance, offering a tranquil yet challenging experience for golfers of all levels.
Signature holes include the short par-4 8th (“Farmer’s Folly”) and the long par-5 14th (“The Rogue”)
Cap off your experience with a well-earned drink at the clubhouse and a browse through the well-appointed on-site gift shop. No visit to Wairakei is complete without a little something to remember it by.