Southern Links Golf: Off Course
Life beyond the fairway
Six ways to fill a rest day in New Zealand — for the non-golfer, the travelling partner, or anyone happy to trade a set of clubs for a day among mountains, vineyards and hot pools.
Alpine hunting, clear-river fishing
Guided big-game hunting for red and fallow deer, tahr, chamois and wild pigs across dramatic alpine and back-country terrain. The same rivers, lakes and streams hold world-class rainbow and brown trout, while coastal charters run for snapper, kingfish, tuna and more across the country's varied waters.
Cellar doors and coastal tables
From waterfront dining and bustling city markets to relaxed vineyard restaurants, New Zealand's food and wine scene runs on exceptional local produce and fresh seafood. Explore Marlborough for Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke's Bay for 'new world' reds and Chardonnay, Martinborough & Central Otago for Pinot Noir and Waiheke Island for boutique cellar doors, alongside artisan cheeses and seasonal farm-to-table dishes.
From bungy to back-country trail
World-famous bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating and white-water rafting sit alongside scenic hiking, mountain biking, skiing, surfing and kayaking. Explore alpine trails and native forests at your own pace, or go guided — caving in Waitomo, glacier hiking, sailing the Bay of Islands or sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park.
Māori, Pacific and European heritage
Attend a Māori cultural performance featuring haka, waiata and poi, visit living villages and arts centres such as Te Puia in Rotorua, and share a traditional hāngī meal. Discover taonga and contemporary art at Te Papa and Auckland Museum, or spend a day at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, galleries, heritage walks and local festivals.
Fiords, glaciers and turquoise lakes
From the fiords and waterfalls of Fiordland and the Southern Alps around Aoraki/Mount Cook to glacier country, geothermal areas and sweeping coastlines. Take a scenic road trip, cruise, train journey or sightseeing flight to highlights such as Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.
Rest, renewal, time in nature
Soak in geothermal mineral pools and mud baths in Rotorua, or take the hot springs at Hanmer Springs and elsewhere across the South Island. Choose from spa treatments, massage, yoga, meditation and wellness retreats set among forests, mountains, lakes and coastlines.
Build a trip around more than golf
Tell us what your group wants a rest day to look like, and we'll fold it into the itinerary alongside your rounds.