GOLF
Port Macquarie lays claim to being assessed by the CSIRO as having one of Australia's most agreeable and equable climates. Perhaps our milder seasons are the reason Port has established itself as a golfers' mecca, its rolling green fairways sought out from dawn to dusk daily. It's not unusual to see locals rolling our their motorised carts into club car parks from the moment the sun comes up, as keen visitors are welcomed to clubs dotted around the coast.
PORT MACQUARIE GOLF CLUB
Port is the great golfers' getaway and this beautiful course edging the coastline south from Lighthouse Beach occupies one of the most superb sites in NSW - with good odds of a bonus on your round of spotting koalas in a eucalypt stand or a mob of kangaroos observing you from the rough.
All equipment, motorised carts, available for hire; lessons available with resident pro; social golfers catered for.
Caddy Shack Cafe for lunch, dinner; club raffles, free trivia and prizes; free courtesy bus; ATM, Austar and Keno; functions.Ocean Drive, to the south of Port Macquarie on the road to Lake Cathie.
Tel: 6582 0409 for comp days. Social golf all day Monday and most days following the comp fields.
Pro Shop tel: 6582 0784; Cafe tel: 6582 7117; email:
EMERALD DOWNS
Port's newest 18-hole course is located within the elite Emerald Downs residential estate in the Lighthouse Beach area, where visitors and social groups are welcomed.
An exciting, challenging and picturesque course set around soothing water features where you play in harmony with nature and friendly colleagues.Emerald Drive, off southern Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie.
Open 7 days.
Bookings tel: 6582 6120.
CAMDEN HAVEN GOLF CLUB
This pretty 18-hole course calls itself "the friendly club - where visitors are most welcome" and social golf is available every day at reasonable rates.
Located close to the Pacific Highway at Kew, just to the south of Port Macquarie, and between the charming rural villages of Kendall and Laurieton.
Pro Steve Boswell offers certified fitting, clubs, buggies and carts for hire, personal lessons and group clinics, accessories and good trade-ins.
Bistro (open also public/school holidays); functions; all club facilities; also lawn bowls, indoor bowls, darts.185 Kendall Road, Kew.
Clubhouse tel: 6559 4203; Pro Shop tel: 6559 4596; email:
Fairways Bistro open for lunch specials Tuesday to Sunday. Dinner Friday nights.
GOLF RANGE
Drive, chip, putt and sharpen your game in this lovely rural setting on the western edge of Port Macquarie township. Grass tee; putting green; hire clubs; pro lessons and a fully stocked golf shop.
Children are encouraged to pitch their luck and win cash prizes.3 Lindfield Park Road, just off the Oxley Highway into town.
Open 7 days.
Tel: 6581 0925.
WAUCHOPE COUNTRY CLUB
Indulge in two sports under one roof less than 20 minutes from central Port Macquarie in the traditional timber town of Wauchope. A fully air-conditioned clubhouse caters to the Country Club's 18-hole championship golf course and two lawn bowling greens. All golf rental equipment available from the pro shop; tasty, affordable meals from the bistro open for lunch and dinner 7 days. Free rounds and motorised carts via vouchers, conditions apply.
24 King Street, Wauchope.
Tel: 6585 3885 for bookings, inquiries.
DAY AWAY GOLF
Fancy a day trip to explore beyond the horizons of your Port Macquarie accommodation?� Take a pleasant rural drive and enjoy a round at Kempsey Golf Club or Harrington Waters Golf Course, both a short journey from your holiday home.
Both links welcome social players and offer hire and pro services, licensed clubhouse and meals/cafe, and discount fees/offers.Kempsey
330 Pacific Highway; tel: 6562 5183 for bookings, inquiries.Harrington Waters
Open 7 days at Harrington Waters Estate.
Bookings essential, tel: 6556 0404.
Email:
* Golfers! We're sports-friendly at The Observatory and sponsor the annual ALF Golf Day as well as a range of other charitable sporting events. If golf is your holiday focus, for central Port Macquarie accommodation check current availability and room rates for hotel rooms and apartments at The Observatory Resort Hotel, right on the town's main beach.
