Stay at North Base, Paihia on a Northland Golf Holiday
Introduction
Northland has one of the highest concentrations of golf courses relative to population anywhere in New Zealand. For a largely rural region, the variety of golf available is remarkable—from internationally acclaimed destinations such as Kauri Cliffs and Te Arai Links through to relaxed coastal club courses where visitors are warmly welcomed.
New Zealand itself has the second-highest number of golf courses per capita in the world after Scotland, and Northland reflects that deep golfing culture particularly well.
And when coming to Northland for a golfing holiday, there’s no better place to stay than at North Base, Paihia.
Northland enjoys one of New Zealand’s warmest climates and is well known for its relaxed outdoor lifestyle. During the summer months the region offers a semi-tropical climate with long sunny days, warm sea temperatures and ideal golfing conditions. In winter, Northland remains considerably milder than much of the country, making it an excellent year-round destination for outdoor pursuits including golf, fishing, boating and coastal touring.
For overseas visitors wanting to experience New Zealand golf beyond the big cities, Northland offers one of the country’s most varied and scenic golfing regions, and it’s a compact one. Staying in Paihia in the Bay of Islands allows golfers to combine world-class courses, relaxed local club golf, spectacular coastal scenery and classic New Zealand road-trip travel into one easy week-long itinerary.
Instead of changing accommodation, we suggest you settle into North Base, Paihia. From here it’s easy and convenient to play a different course each day, and take time out if needed. Spend the day enjoying the magic of Northland, then return to enjoy Paihia’s waterfront dining scene, or just relax at your lodging and plan the next day’s round.
Why Base Yourself in Paihia?
Paihia is more than simply a place to stay. Located in the heart of the Bay of Islands, it is one of New Zealand’s best-known holiday towns and an ideal base for exploring Northland.
Visitors can enjoy:
- waterfront restaurants and bars
- fishing charters and boat cruises
- island day trips
- beaches and coastal walks
- easy access to golf courses north and south of the Bay of Islands
For golfing groups, Paihia works particularly well because evenings become part of the holiday experience itself — dining out, sharing stories from the day’s golf and debating tomorrow’s strategy over dinner and drinks.
A Northland Golf Itinerary from Auckland
Day 1 – Arrive Auckland / Drive North
After arriving in Auckland and collecting a rental car, begin the journey north towards Northland.
Golfers can choose between:
Te Arai Links
Internationally acclaimed and regarded as one of New Zealand’s premier golf experiences.
or
Waipu Golf Club
A more affordable and relaxed coastal club experience with classic Northland character.
Both courses sit approximately halfway between Auckland Airport and Paihia, allowing a relaxed break in the journey north with around 1.5 hours driving either side.
Continue north to Paihia and settle into Northbase for the week.
Day 2 – Waitangi Golf Club
Waitangi Golf Club offers one of New Zealand’s great scenic golf settings overlooking the Bay of Islands. This spectacular course, less than five minutes from your North Base home away from home, immediately introduces visitors to the relaxed golfing atmosphere Northland is known for.
An excellent opening round after travel, with panoramic water views and a sense of what the rest of the week offers.
Day 3 – Bay of Islands Fishing or Island Cruise
Take a break from golf with a fishing charter, dolphin cruise or island day trip into the Bay of Islands.
This helps balance the itinerary and gives visitors a chance to experience one of New Zealand’s most famous coastal regions from the water.
Day 4 – Kauri Cliffs or Local Northland Clubs
For golfers wanting a premium experience, Kauri Cliffs ranks among the world’s great golf destinations. A 50-minute drive from North Base leaves plenty of time to stop and explore all that Kerikeri has to offer along the way.
Northland also has several excellent local club courses including:
- Kerikeri Golf Club
- Whangaroa Golf Club
One of Northland’s strengths is the quality and friendliness of its regional golf clubs, offering relaxed golf in spectacular coastal settings.
Day 5 – Carrington Estate
Carrington Estate offers golf in a spectacular coastal setting on the Karikari Peninsula near the top of the North Island. This is a longer excursion north from the Bay of Islands, taking in some of the region’s best scenery and interesting coastal settlements well worth a quick visit along the way.
Prepare for a bigger day, with approximately three hours of return driving.
As a prchampionship golf course, Carrington is comparatively affordable while delivering a memorable golfing experience in a stunning location.
Day 6 – Explore Waitangi and Russell
Take a break from golf and explore the historic heart of New Zealand.
Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, take the ferry across to Russell, enjoy long lunches, waterfront cafés and coastal walks, or simply relax around Paihia and the Bay of Islands.
A free day within the itinerary provides a relaxed holiday pace, allowing you to fully experience what the Bay of Islands has to offer beyond the golf courses.
Day 7 – West Coast Return to Auckland via Baylys Beach
The drive south via Northland’s west coast offers a completely different experience from the sheltered blue waters of the east coast.
Travelling back via the Hokianga Harbour and Baylys Beach can add up to two extra hours of driving time, making the journey close to five hours in total. The experience of this contrasting route easily justifies the effort, although it may require an overnight in Auckland before departure.
Northland’s West Coast is rugged and windswept with dramatic scenery, long and exposed beaches, sand dunes and powerful surf shaped by weather systems crossing the Tasman Sea. Here the fairways may be well sheltered behind sand dunes on one side and lush green farmland on the other. Or they may not.
A round at Northern Wairoa Golf Club at Baylys Beach introduces you to classic New Zealand coastal club golf, on a course and with facilities passionately maintained by local members in a uniquely rugged setting.
Experiencing the contrasts of both east and west is one of the real pleasures of travelling through Northland. If retruning down the East cCoast howver, there’s still time for a final round at either Te Arai Links or Waipu Golf Club before an evening departure from Auckland.
Northland Golf Beyond the Big Resorts
One of the pleasures of golfing in Northland is the mix of internationally recognised championship courses and welcoming local club golf.
Just as memorable as the golf itself are the changing landscapes — from the calm blue waters of the Bay of Islands to the wild beauty of Northland’s West Coast.
Stay at North Base, Paihia
North Base accommodation provides a comfortable and central hub for exploring Northland’s golf courses and all the other attractions the region has to offer.
Located in the heart of Paihia, Bay of Islands, North Base is ideal for golfing groups and non-playing partners to experience the best of Northland from the comfort of a modern dwelling in one of New Zealand’s favourite holiday towns.
Purpose built in 2016 specifically for short-term accommodation, North Base offers full self-catering facilities, ideal for golfing groups, families and travelling friends.
The main house comfortably sleeps up to 10 guests in four bedrooms, while below is an apartment accommodating up to four more people. This makes it a popular choice for group visits to Northland for golfing and shared travel experiences.
After a day on the course, return to Paihia to enjoy the town’s restaurants, bars and waterfront atmosphere before relaxing at North Base and planning the next day’s activities.
Your host Robert is a lifetime Northland local with extensive knowledge of the region. He is happy to help guests further refine their itinerary, suggest golf courses suited to interests and budget, and recommend other experiences to be hhad throughout the Bay of Islands and Northland.
