The Great Aussie Journey
Mar 21, 2021 21:28:53 GMT -5
Crazycanuck1985, rod81simo, and 17 more like this
Post by sandgroper on Mar 21, 2021 21:28:53 GMT -5
One of the greatest journeys to ever take around Australia is to play golf in every state and territory. This journey is epic and involves travel of 23,341kms!
Your adventure begins in Australia’s most populated city, Sydney. You are picked up at the airport by your tour guide and taken to the transfer lounge to get changed into your golf gear. Your first flight is a leisurely 3 hours (2,556kms) out to Alice Springs.
The course highlights some of Australia’s major tourist attractions and some that you may have not heard of. Many of these sites are World Heritage listed. Three tees (Aussie green and gold as well as a white set along with 4 pin positions, ranging from relatively easy through to day 4 pins.
1st hole. The spiritual and literal heart of Australia is Uluru, what used to be known as Ayres Rock. Our first World Heritage listed site on our journey, but far from our last. A straight par 4 to get you going. You will notice the rabbit proof fence in front of the back tee and gate into the Northern Territory from South Australia. Don’t hit it into South Australia on the right, it’s out of bounds.
Gold: 426m (466yd) Green: 383m (419yd) White: 366m (400yd)
2nd hole. From Ulura we fly east for 1,663kms to Longreach. Located in central west Queensland, Longreach is the birthplace of Qantas airways. The runway is faithfully reproduced with the correct designations at each end and you can see the Qantas museum. A long par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Be aware the runway is OB.
Gold: 446m (488yd) Green: 428m (468yd) White: 401m (438yd)
3rd hole. We fly north for 744kms to the Daintree forest region and the Atherton tablelands located in northern Queensland. Our second World Heritage listed site and you will notice the change of conditions with the deep forest and high humidity. This par 5 has two local waterfalls along the right hand side. The tee shot hits towards the Millaa Milla Falls and then the green sits in front of the Tchupala Falls.
Gold: 675m (738yd) Green: 629m (688yd) White: 587m (641yd)
4th hole. A flight south over Brisbane down to the Gold Coast and surfers paradise. A distance of 1,689kms. This short par 4 sees your approach shot to the green between the apartments.
Gold: 439m (480yd) Green: 406m (444yd) White: 381m (417yd)
5th hole. Yet another flight south to Sydney Harbour for this delightful par 4. A distance of 838kms. Aim towards the harbour bridge and then it’s a short iron to the green at Circular Quay. With views of the World Hertigage listed Opera house and it's majestic sails architecture.
Gold: 402m (440yd) Green: 376m (411yd) White: 352m (385yd)
6th hole. We head southwest for an 864km flight crossing the border into Victoria. This mid length par 4 runs along the Murray River. The mighty Murray seperates the states of Victora and New South Wales. The river is the worlds third longest navigatable river and has a length of 2,508kms. This par 4 runs along it's banks and plays fairly easy with an Easterly wind at your back.
Gold: 392m (429yd) Green: 371m (406yd) White: 350m (383yd)
7th hole. A short 434km flight south brings us the the magnificent 12 Apostles and London Bridge. The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Originally a natural archway and tunnel, London Bridge collapsed on 15 January 1990 and became an isolated arch no longer connected to the mainland. This par 3 sits at the bottom of the limestone cliffs.
Gold: 155m (170yd) Green: 139m (152yd) White: 135m (148yd)
8th hole. We head from Victoria south to Tasmania for 998kms to the southern tip and Cape Pillar. It is notable as a coastal feature of the Dolerite landscape of the area. Most of the Tasmanian wilderness in this area is World Heritage listed. This par 3 has a raised green and will catch anything short.
Gold: 185m (203yd) Green: 181m (198yd) White: 137m (149yd)
9th hole. From Tasmania we head north west into South Australia (1,623kms) and our last hole on the front 9 taking us to Kangaroo Island. A reachable par 5 for only the brave. Watch out for the kangaroos. They may look cute, but they are still wild animals.
Gold: 482m (527yd) Green: 455m (498yd) White: 425m (465yd)
Back 9.
10th hole. Staying in South Australia we head northeast for 271kms to the Barossa Valley, win country and home to Penfolds. The Barossa Valley is located around an hours drive north of Adelaide and home to over 150 wineries. You will see one of these on this delightful par 4.
Gold: 503m (550yd) Green: 458m (501yd) White: 409m (447yd)
11th hole. We fly northwest for 798kms to the Opal mining town of Coober Pedy. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Most of the town lives underground because of the very high temperatures. Watch out for the mine shafts on this par 3.
Gold: 132m (144yd) Green: 123m (135yd) White: 108m (118yd)
12th hole. Flying southwest for 589kms we arrive on the Nullarbor. This par 5 runs along the Great Australian Bight. The bight sits atop a coastal cliff and anything left will go over the edge and fall Between 200 and 400 feet into the Southern Ocean.
Gold: 596m (651yd) Green: 565m (618yd) White: 534m (584yd)
13th hole. 1,636kms directly west of the Nullarbor is the Western Australian wine region of Margaret River, home to over 215 wineries. Most West Aussies will refer to it as "Margs". This is where we find the par 5 hole amongst the vineyards. On the left is a winery and on the right is a cellar door with a tasting room made from a giant wine vat, to taste some of the best wine in the world.
Gold: 475m (519yd) Green: 446m (488yd) White: 429m (469yd)
14th hole. To get to Exmouth we fly 1,508kms directly north. Exmouth is home to Ningaloo Reef. The Ningaloo Coast is a World Heritage Site located in the north west coastal region of Western Australia. The 705,015-hectare World heritage-listed area is where you can swim with whale sharks right off the beach. What was suppose to be a par 3 (but accidently got published as a par 4) hits over the Ningaloo reef and out to the peninsular. Caution, it plays longer than it looks.
Gold: 210m (230yd) Green: 178m (194yd) White: 176m (193yd)
15th hole. Next hole is 2,097kms east and still in Western Australia. Only "discovered" in 1983, the beehive-striped Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park is a fascinating and enduring Australian story. Another world heritage listed site, this maze of orange and black striped karst sandstone domes, often likened to giant beehives, is one of the best loved attractions in Western Australia's Kimberley region. A simple dogleg right par 4, but don’t hit it into the bungles, they are a sacred site.
Gold: 439m (480yd) Green: 416m (455yd) White: 385m (421yd)
16th hole. Again we travel east into the Northern Territory (1,089kms) and Kakadu National Park, home of Crocodile Dundee. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listing renowned for both its cultural and natural values. This par 5 plays through the parks swampy marshes so keep an eye out for crocs.
Gold: 584m (639yd) Green: 504m (551yd) White: 434m (475yd)
17th hole. Back on the plane and 2,889kms to the southeast we’re back in New South Wales to close out the round. The penultimate hole is based in Broken Hill, home of Australia’s biggest company BHP. This simple par 3 has a sting in the tail if you are off line.
Gold: 192m (210yd) Green: 182m (199yd) White: 160m (175yd)
18th hole. 945kms due east is the iconic Blue Mountains for our final hole. The Blue Mountains is a rugged region west of Sydney in Australia’s New South Wales. Known for dramatic scenery, it encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. In the town of Katoomba we find Echo Point which affords views of the storied Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, our final World Heritage listed site on our journey. This is the location of this dogleg par 4.
Gold: 371m (406yd) Green: 337m (369yd) White: 309m (338yd)
From here we catch the train 110kms back into Sydney where we meet the rest of the group back in the exclusive golfers lounge, located right behind the 5th green, where you can freshen up before your flight home. Happy golfing!
Your adventure begins in Australia’s most populated city, Sydney. You are picked up at the airport by your tour guide and taken to the transfer lounge to get changed into your golf gear. Your first flight is a leisurely 3 hours (2,556kms) out to Alice Springs.
The course highlights some of Australia’s major tourist attractions and some that you may have not heard of. Many of these sites are World Heritage listed. Three tees (Aussie green and gold as well as a white set along with 4 pin positions, ranging from relatively easy through to day 4 pins.
1st hole. The spiritual and literal heart of Australia is Uluru, what used to be known as Ayres Rock. Our first World Heritage listed site on our journey, but far from our last. A straight par 4 to get you going. You will notice the rabbit proof fence in front of the back tee and gate into the Northern Territory from South Australia. Don’t hit it into South Australia on the right, it’s out of bounds.
Gold: 426m (466yd) Green: 383m (419yd) White: 366m (400yd)
2nd hole. From Ulura we fly east for 1,663kms to Longreach. Located in central west Queensland, Longreach is the birthplace of Qantas airways. The runway is faithfully reproduced with the correct designations at each end and you can see the Qantas museum. A long par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Be aware the runway is OB.
Gold: 446m (488yd) Green: 428m (468yd) White: 401m (438yd)
3rd hole. We fly north for 744kms to the Daintree forest region and the Atherton tablelands located in northern Queensland. Our second World Heritage listed site and you will notice the change of conditions with the deep forest and high humidity. This par 5 has two local waterfalls along the right hand side. The tee shot hits towards the Millaa Milla Falls and then the green sits in front of the Tchupala Falls.
Gold: 675m (738yd) Green: 629m (688yd) White: 587m (641yd)
4th hole. A flight south over Brisbane down to the Gold Coast and surfers paradise. A distance of 1,689kms. This short par 4 sees your approach shot to the green between the apartments.
Gold: 439m (480yd) Green: 406m (444yd) White: 381m (417yd)
5th hole. Yet another flight south to Sydney Harbour for this delightful par 4. A distance of 838kms. Aim towards the harbour bridge and then it’s a short iron to the green at Circular Quay. With views of the World Hertigage listed Opera house and it's majestic sails architecture.
Gold: 402m (440yd) Green: 376m (411yd) White: 352m (385yd)
6th hole. We head southwest for an 864km flight crossing the border into Victoria. This mid length par 4 runs along the Murray River. The mighty Murray seperates the states of Victora and New South Wales. The river is the worlds third longest navigatable river and has a length of 2,508kms. This par 4 runs along it's banks and plays fairly easy with an Easterly wind at your back.
Gold: 392m (429yd) Green: 371m (406yd) White: 350m (383yd)
7th hole. A short 434km flight south brings us the the magnificent 12 Apostles and London Bridge. The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Originally a natural archway and tunnel, London Bridge collapsed on 15 January 1990 and became an isolated arch no longer connected to the mainland. This par 3 sits at the bottom of the limestone cliffs.
Gold: 155m (170yd) Green: 139m (152yd) White: 135m (148yd)
8th hole. We head from Victoria south to Tasmania for 998kms to the southern tip and Cape Pillar. It is notable as a coastal feature of the Dolerite landscape of the area. Most of the Tasmanian wilderness in this area is World Heritage listed. This par 3 has a raised green and will catch anything short.
Gold: 185m (203yd) Green: 181m (198yd) White: 137m (149yd)
9th hole. From Tasmania we head north west into South Australia (1,623kms) and our last hole on the front 9 taking us to Kangaroo Island. A reachable par 5 for only the brave. Watch out for the kangaroos. They may look cute, but they are still wild animals.
Gold: 482m (527yd) Green: 455m (498yd) White: 425m (465yd)
Back 9.
10th hole. Staying in South Australia we head northeast for 271kms to the Barossa Valley, win country and home to Penfolds. The Barossa Valley is located around an hours drive north of Adelaide and home to over 150 wineries. You will see one of these on this delightful par 4.
Gold: 503m (550yd) Green: 458m (501yd) White: 409m (447yd)
11th hole. We fly northwest for 798kms to the Opal mining town of Coober Pedy. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Most of the town lives underground because of the very high temperatures. Watch out for the mine shafts on this par 3.
Gold: 132m (144yd) Green: 123m (135yd) White: 108m (118yd)
12th hole. Flying southwest for 589kms we arrive on the Nullarbor. This par 5 runs along the Great Australian Bight. The bight sits atop a coastal cliff and anything left will go over the edge and fall Between 200 and 400 feet into the Southern Ocean.
Gold: 596m (651yd) Green: 565m (618yd) White: 534m (584yd)
13th hole. 1,636kms directly west of the Nullarbor is the Western Australian wine region of Margaret River, home to over 215 wineries. Most West Aussies will refer to it as "Margs". This is where we find the par 5 hole amongst the vineyards. On the left is a winery and on the right is a cellar door with a tasting room made from a giant wine vat, to taste some of the best wine in the world.
Gold: 475m (519yd) Green: 446m (488yd) White: 429m (469yd)
14th hole. To get to Exmouth we fly 1,508kms directly north. Exmouth is home to Ningaloo Reef. The Ningaloo Coast is a World Heritage Site located in the north west coastal region of Western Australia. The 705,015-hectare World heritage-listed area is where you can swim with whale sharks right off the beach. What was suppose to be a par 3 (but accidently got published as a par 4) hits over the Ningaloo reef and out to the peninsular. Caution, it plays longer than it looks.
Gold: 210m (230yd) Green: 178m (194yd) White: 176m (193yd)
15th hole. Next hole is 2,097kms east and still in Western Australia. Only "discovered" in 1983, the beehive-striped Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park is a fascinating and enduring Australian story. Another world heritage listed site, this maze of orange and black striped karst sandstone domes, often likened to giant beehives, is one of the best loved attractions in Western Australia's Kimberley region. A simple dogleg right par 4, but don’t hit it into the bungles, they are a sacred site.
Gold: 439m (480yd) Green: 416m (455yd) White: 385m (421yd)
16th hole. Again we travel east into the Northern Territory (1,089kms) and Kakadu National Park, home of Crocodile Dundee. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listing renowned for both its cultural and natural values. This par 5 plays through the parks swampy marshes so keep an eye out for crocs.
Gold: 584m (639yd) Green: 504m (551yd) White: 434m (475yd)
17th hole. Back on the plane and 2,889kms to the southeast we’re back in New South Wales to close out the round. The penultimate hole is based in Broken Hill, home of Australia’s biggest company BHP. This simple par 3 has a sting in the tail if you are off line.
Gold: 192m (210yd) Green: 182m (199yd) White: 160m (175yd)
18th hole. 945kms due east is the iconic Blue Mountains for our final hole. The Blue Mountains is a rugged region west of Sydney in Australia’s New South Wales. Known for dramatic scenery, it encompasses steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages dotted with guesthouses, galleries and gardens. In the town of Katoomba we find Echo Point which affords views of the storied Three Sisters sandstone rock formation, our final World Heritage listed site on our journey. This is the location of this dogleg par 4.
Gold: 371m (406yd) Green: 337m (369yd) White: 309m (338yd)
From here we catch the train 110kms back into Sydney where we meet the rest of the group back in the exclusive golfers lounge, located right behind the 5th green, where you can freshen up before your flight home. Happy golfing!