Top 10 Hidden Gem Public Golf Courses in Australia - Golfers' Choice 2025

Instead of exclusive private clubs that only allow limited access to foreign visitors, our Top 10 list is more useful to everyday golfers featuring some of the best public golf courses in Australia.
Redland Bay GC: #14
View of the 14th hole at Redland Bay Golf Club.

Australia's most famous courses are hard to access for both locals and visiting golfers.

That fact helps to explain why we release a list of the Top 10 Hidden Gem Public Golf Courses from Australia every January instead of a true "best-of" list. It's more useful to everyday golfers than another ranking of exclusive clubs like Royal Melbourne, Victoria Golf Club, Metropolitan Golf Club or Kingston Heath.

    We create our annual Golfers' Choice lists by curating the reviews submitted by everyday golfers. We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages.

    Each course needed at least three reviews and at least some public access to qualify. These are some of the best public golf courses in Australia.

    We make our Golfers' Choice lists user friendly. Simply click on the photo of each course to learn more about the facility or to book a tee time (in most cases).

    Want to get involved with determining the top public hidden gems in Australia or any other future Golfers' Choice lists? Click here to review the next golf course you play.

    Australia golf courses reviewed in 2024: 80
    Reviews of Australia golf courses in 2024: 752

    1. Lakelands Golf Club

      Merrimac, Queensland
      Semi-Private/Resort
      4.7129647059
      75

      What they're saying: "I played alone along with my partner watching in the cart. We have done a few courses on the Gold Coast and this (is) up there as the best so far. I will love playing a competition here soon in the future." - alljamesg

    2. Redland Bay Golf Club

      Redland Bay, Queensland
      Semi-Private
      4.3014705882
      38

      Green fee: $57
      What they're saying: "I played in mid-spring so some course maintenance was being undertaken, with one hole out of play but with an additional hole added whilst the work is completed. Some of the greens were still recovering from spiking and sanding but again this shows the care that is taken to get the course in top condition. There's a really nice layout with scenic views, a very relaxing course to play on. There are well positioned hazards with well maintained bunkers, water hazards, and undulation on and around the greens. I was very impressed with the course and it is a bit of a hidden gem, I think it would appeal to golfers of all levels." - GolfPass Reviewer

    3. Horsham Golf Club

      Haven, The Grampians
      Public
      4.7916666667
      5

      Green fee: $50-$90
      What they're saying: "Overall, quite nicely managed green. Average green speed is roughly more than 11 ft." - GolfPass Reviewer

    4. Strathallan Golf Club

      Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC
      Semi-Private
      4.2627960275
      44

      Green fee: $34-$84
      What they're saying: "Really fun course to play for all abilities. Very friendly atmosphere." - peterolm

    5. Settlers Run Golf & Country Club

      Botanic Ridge, Mornington/Bellarine
      Private
      4.6470823529
      14

      Green fee: $89-$144
      What they're saying: "Easy arrival process at Proshop. Nice course in good condition. Undulating but easy enough to walk. Big greens test your putting. Will be going back." - GolfPass Reviewer

    6. Dunheved Golf Club

      St Marys, Sydney
      Semi-Private
      4.6080302747
      67

      Green fee: $35-$85
      What they're saying: "Great lengthy course for the amateur in all of us. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Relatively flat course that rewards straight shots. Encourages you to hit driver well." - deliverboi

    7. Macquarie Links International Golf Club

      Macquarie Links, Sydney
      Private
      4.6300904977
      84

      Green fee: $65
      What they're saying: "The course was in mint condition. Everything about the day was awesome. Staff were friendly, even small (things such) as me putting they’d turn the mowers off. Fairways and greens were elite condition. Would recommend to everyone I know. Be hard to play any other course after playing here." - BraydonMcMahon

    8. Buninyong Golf Club

      Buninyong, Goldfields, VIC
      Semi-Private
      4.6666666667
      12

      Green fee: $40-$90
      What they're saying: "Dollar for dollar the best course in Victoria that I’ve played !" - GolfPass Reviewer

    9. Emerald Lakes Golf Club

      Carrara, Queensland
      Resort
      4.3350610646
      178

      Green fee: $43-$66
      What they're saying: "Great course, friendly staff. Absolutely fantastic" - JLoader

    10. The Links - Shell Cove

      Shell Cove, Illawarra
      Public/Resort
      4.3848
      60

      Green fee: $34-$69
      What they're saying: "This is a great course and facility that provides value for money. The driving range to warm up was excellent, the course itself was in wonderful condition and the club is a venue that has it all. We played a social round and enjoyed the fact that you can buy a few beers at the pro shop. All round, this is as a great day." - GolfPass reviewer

    Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,200 courses and written about golf destinations in 28 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and X/Twitter at @WorldGolfer.

    Comments (1)

    ?name=N%20K&rounded=true&size=256

    If you have the chance to get out to WA, be sure to check out The Cut in Mandurah. Probably the best value of any course I have played in the world.

    View all the Golfers' Choice 2024 lists, including all 50 states.
    Now Reading
    Top 10 Hidden Gem Public Golf Courses in Australia - Golfers' Choice 2025
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account