Why this remote golf resort is worth 7,000 miles to get there

There’s a craze that drives a person to book a 7,700-mile trip to New Zealand’s north coast, all for a few rounds of golf.

Or… is there?

The trip from the US to New Zealand is long but surprisingly easy. One afternoon in early November, my husband and I flew from Nashville, had a quick stopover in Los Angeles, and 13 hours later, landed in Auckland. Even after so much time in the air, we felt energized as we began the final leg of our journey – a 90-minute drive from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, to barriersthe most stunning golf destination in the country.

This was a return trip for us. We had visited six years earlier to play Tara Iti, a private course that debuted at number 29 in the GOLF magazine rankings. Top 100 courses in the world in 2017; it has since climbed to 20th place. We stayed there for two nights, then spent the next two weeks driving from the North Island to Queenstown, the southern tip of the South Island. We walked and fixed it from stop to stop. Having traveled from New York City, we wanted to maximize the experience.

Six years and two kids later, we decided we could get away from Nashville for a maximum of a week on this second visit, and that we wanted the trip to truly feel like a vacation—which meant minimal driving, staying in just one room and fill our days with incredible golf and the restorative powers of nature. Tara Iti was the star of our first trip, and since its resort-style counterpart, Te Arai, had just opened the way, it felt like an obvious choice for an epic experience.

There’s no way around it: 7,700 miles is a long way for a week-long getaway. But when we stood in the fourth cabin on Te Arai’s south course, looking out over a hole plunging into the Pacific Ocean, any hint of sleep deprivation or travel fatigue melted away. This wasn’t just a round of golf; it was an escape into the raw beauty of nature and a chance to engage with golf at its most spectacular.

I have endured much more difficult journeys for much smaller gains.

Te Arai is located south of Tara Iti and is the brainchild of Tara Iti’s developer and managing director – Ric Kayne and Jim Rohrstaff respectively. As such, the properties share many of the same qualities, both offering a unique blend of natural beauty, architectural splendor and a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere. One big difference between them: Tara Iti is private and Te Arai is a 36-hole resort with a membership component. Te Arai’s North and South courses alternate between being public and private each day to ensure both courses have an exclusive feel while still allowing for public play.

Despite sharing the same piece of land, Te Arai’s courses are remarkably different. The South Course, a 6,843 yard Coore/Crenshaw The design, which opened in 2022, fascinates with its visual beauty – 14 of its 18 holes are set against the Pacific. It is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a golfer’s dream in terms of gait and flow.

The course is challenging but fair, with a focus on creativity and creativity, treating players to one breathtaking sight after another. This design balances beauty and playability, allowing golfers to immerse themselves in the scenery while strategizing how best to navigate its clever features.

North Course, a Tom Doak the design that opened in October 2023, is a stronger proof. The 6,931-yard par-71 layout starts on the Pacific and then heads inland, winding through a large bowl before returning to the ocean. WHEREAS only seven holes sit directly on the Pacific (the South Course has spoiled us!), the course is a strategic masterpiece. With massive fairways that undulate subtly and dramatically, golfers are constantly challenged to think about angles and approach shots. The green complexes are some of the boldest I’ve ever come across, requiring a thoughtful approach. North also has a fantastic halfway house – the fish tacos are a must – available to players on the 10th and 15th holes.

The links golf almost always comes with beauty, but also with a side of cold temperatures, heavy rain and biting wind. Te Arai, however, defies the norm in that its coastal layouts are completely covered in fescue, meaning they offer a true links experience in a comfortable subtropical climate. In winter (our summer), the highest temperatures hover around 60 degrees, while summer temperatures average around 75 degrees. Yes, happiness.

Te Arai’s attention to detail extends beyond golf to every aspect of the resort. One of the central gathering points at Te Arai is Ric’s, a beautifully situated all-day restaurant surrounded by 2.5 hectares of Himalayan-style grounds aptly named The Playground.. Ric’s isn’t just a place to grab a bite – it’s a social hub. Everyone is welcome, even those who don’t stay or play on the grounds, and the restaurant’s family-style seating and “come as you are” atmosphere encourages interaction, creating an atmosphere where it’s easy to meet other players and locals .

Ric’s warm Scandinavian aesthetic permeates the entire resort. We stayed in a cozy studio cottage that overlooks the paddling area. The space’s warm palette, natural materials and elevated essentials helped it exude a soothing elegance. I found myself wishing I could buy it all—the beds, the accent chairs, the glasses—to recreate the magic at home in Nashville.

Over five days we played four rounds in the South, two in the North and one in Tara Iti. We complemented those laps with memorable walks at Te Arai Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline where white sand meets the turquoise Pacific. Beach access is just off the South 18th green. We walked north, past the north course, until we reached Forest Beach, known among the surfing community for its left-hand breaks, then climbed a hill and came out on a point – on the right ours, we could see both parts of Te Arai whereas; to our left, we saw Tara Iti. A short stretch of coastline, three of The 100 best GOLF courses in the world.

The land here is so precious here, it feels almost untouched. Kiwis have a long history of deeply respecting their environment and the team behind Te Arai have embraced that ethos with a strong commitment to sustainability. We found no single use plastic anywhere on the property and water stations with reusable bottles are strategically placed throughout. Even the small details – name tags, room keys, stamps, ballpoint markers and pens all made of wood – reflect the resort’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while providing a high-end luxury experience.

With two incredible courses already in place and plenty of land available for a third, Te Arai’s future is bright. The resort continues to grow, recently adding sports fields and a more formal dining option; a full-service spa is also down the road. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes a must-see destination for golfers and adventurers alike.

If they live 70 miles away, or 7,000.