Best golf courses in Melbourne and Victoria

Award-winning golf courses at RACV Resorts

If you’re planning a golf weekend or a longer “stay and play” escape, start here — these RACV Resorts courses were recognised in the 2026 Top 100 list:

RACV Cape Schanck Resort

RACV Cape Schanck Resort is a standout option on the Mornington Peninsula for golfers who want a quality round and an easy short break in the same place.

The 18-hole, par 70 championship golf course is known for its elevated tee positions and ocean views, and you can stay on-site to make the most of the resort’s accommodation and dining.

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort 

Designed by former professional golfer Michael Clayton, RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort offers a thoughtful, modern course that rewards strategy over power.

Set in the Yarra Valley, the 18-hole, par 68 course suits a wide range of players - engaging for experienced golfers, while still approachable if you’re building confidence. With accommodation and dining on site, it’s easy to turn a round into a relaxed day or weekend away.

RACV Goldfields Resort (Creswick)

RACV Goldfields Resort gives you that classic regional “golf getaway” feel - an 18-hole, par 72 championship layout set in natural surrounds, with resort accommodation right there when you’re done. It’s the kind of destination that suits a weekend away: a proper round, time to reset, and all the comforts of a resort stay built in. 

Best Sandbelt golf courses in Melbourne

If you’re chasing the famous Melbourne Sandbelt experience, these names belong on the shortlist. 

Royal Melbourne Golf Club 

Located in Black Rock, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club is one of the most elite golf courses available in Victoria. No expense is spared in maintaining this course, which is regarded as one of the pre-eminent clubs in Australia, not to mention the world. With the West course regarded as being one of the five best courses in the world, it has hosted 16 Australian Opens. The club also made history in 1998 when it became the first course to host the President’s Cup outside of the United States. This is a private members club, though members of other golf clubs with reciprocal agreements can enquire about playing the course on Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Metropolitan Golf Club 

You could consider the Metropolitan Golf Club and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club as siblings, with both clubs starting life as the Melbourne Golf Club in the early 1890s. The original course was engulfed as Melbourne expanded, however, resulting in members forming two new clubs. As per norm on the Sandbelt, this club is primarily for the use of members and guests - enquire directly if you belong to another club and wish to play at Metropolitan Golf Club.

Top golf courses in regional Victoria

There are many regional golf courses that are "public access", which means the general public can book tee times and pay-as-they-go, without having a private membership. If you're planning a holiday in regional Victoria and keen to play golf, it's worth checking to see if there's a public-access golf club nearby.

Murray Downs Golf and Country Club 

If you’re looking for a riverside golfing destination you can’t go past Murray Downs. Sure, this public-access course is technically in NSW, but considering it has previously won the Victorian PGA ‘course of the year’ award we think it’s worth a mention. Expect a fairway lined with river gums and a signature hole (the fifth) that has a long water carry and a par of 3. Murray Downs also has three bowls greens plus dining options.

Ballarat Golf Club 

Welcome to the oldest continually played golf course in Australia. Ballarat Golf Club was born in 1895 but it’s anything but dated. This club is consistently ranked among the best public-access courses in the country, no doubt helped in part by its course redesign by renowned golf course architect Thomson Perret (who’s also behind some of the top golf courses in Australia and the Asia Pacific). 

Shepparton Golf Club 

You can play on the Shepparton Golf Club course without being a member. The club welcomes visitors and offers green fee options for non-members, with 9-hole and 18-hole options available, including stay-and-play packages. It is recommended to book a slot in advance. The course is built on the banks of the Goulburn River, with the natural sandhills providing great playing conditions year round.

Top coastal golf courses in Victoria

RACV Torquay Resort, Great Ocean Road

As soon as you arrive at RACV Torquay Resort you’ll understand you’re in for a truly special game of golf. The par-71 links-style course backs onto two beaches and is replete with lush greens, wetlands and ocean views – but it’s got substance as well as style. The course was redesigned by Ogilvy Clayton, a Melbourne company led by US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and Mike Clayton. Play a round as part of a Great Ocean Road road trip.

Dunes Golf Links, Mornington Peninsula

This 27-hole golf course is located in Rye on more than 120ha of pristine sand dunes. The course was designed by Tony Cashmore and prides itself on offering both a challenge to experienced players with a low handicap, and those fresh to the sport. The course is consistently ranked as one of Australia’s best golf destinations and has the option of playing the full 18-holes or the shorter 9-hole course known as ‘The Cups’.

Port Fairy Golf Links, Shipwreck Coast

If you love a coastal links course then it’s well worth taking a trip out to Port Fairy, which about 285km southwest of Melbourne. The sandy soil here is naturally perfect for the game, with the expansive views of the Southern Ocean the icing on the cake.  The public-access course hosts open tournaments throughout the year (with affordable entry fees) and welcomes visitors - you’ll just need to register to book your round. 

Best public golf courses in Melbourne

Royal Park Golf Course, Parkville

Royal Park Golf Course is open to the public year‑round and sits just 3km from Melbourne’s CBD. This compact 9‑hole course offers rolling terrain, city skyline views and access to professional golf coaching for players looking to improve their game. Uniquely, Royal Park holds the rare distinction of having both a tram line and a train line running through the course, making it one of the most distinctive urban golf settings in Australia.

Sandy Golf Links 

Sandy Golf Links delivers a genuine Sandbelt golfing experience in a fully public setting. The 18-hole course features wide fairways, manageable length and innovative approaches to play, including free golf for children under 16 when accompanied by a paying adult. While perfect for beginners and juniors, the course still rewards thoughtful strategy, offering a compelling challenge for lower‑handicap golfers who take advantage of its width and angles.

Yarra Bend Public Golf Course

Set along the Yarra River just 4km from the CBD, Yarra Bend is widely considered Australia’s best inner‑city public course. No clubs? You can hire a standard or premium set of clubs to experience the Par 70, 18-hole course. Tree‑lined fairways, elevation changes and skyline views make it both scenic and challenging. There's mini golf nearby if you're looking for fun for all ages and skill levels.

Northcote Public Golf Course 

A favourite for those living in Melbourne's inner north is Northcote Public Golf Course. The course became notable during the 2020-2021 lockdowns when it was used for general recreation by the public. Consequently, Darebin Council has turned the land into a shared facility that features a nine-hole golf course plus 5.72ha of open parkland for wider use.

Bundoora Park Golf Course  

Bundoora in Melbourne’s north shows how golf doesn’t have to feel exclusive. Bundoora Park Golf Course is a public course popular with both golfers and local wildlife – it’s not uncommon to spot a kangaroo lounging about as you work through the 18 holes. Club management is also passionate about fostering a love of golf in the community regardless of age or ability. 

Keilor Public Golf Course

Located about 25km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD, Keilor Public Golf Course is a well‑established 18‑hole public course suited to golfers of all abilities. Its flat to gently undulating layout features tree‑lined fairways and testing bentgrass greens, rewarding both accuracy and consistency. A long‑standing favourite among local players, its relaxed atmosphere makes it a welcoming option for beginners and experienced golfers alike.

Mt Derrimut Golf & Community Club

Known as the “jewel of the west”, Mt Derrimut Golf & Community Club is located 17km from the CBD, and offers a modern, well‑maintained layout with generous fairways and excellent practice facilities. The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is more challenging on a windy day, if you want to up the ante. From an historical point of view, the clubhouse incorporates the farm homestead built in 1883. 

Planning tip: make it an itinerary, not just a tee time

When you’re planning a golf trip, think beyond a single round. Start with a course as your base, then build the rest of the experience around it - whether that’s another standout course nearby, a long lunch, a winery visit or time to unwind at the resort.

RACV has five golf courses across its Club and Resort properties, including Cape Schanck, Healesville, Goldfields and Torquay in Victoria, and Royal Pines in Queensland, making it easy to turn a round of golf into a relaxing getaway.