25 minutes from Newcastle, Pacific Dunes at Port Stephens opened with a debut public access ranking of No. 33 in the 2006 Guide, a ranking they have maintained this year. Designed by Jim Wilcher, the course is the centrepiece of a Citta Group $180m residential estate. Fairway homes and sites of either 900 or 2000 sq m are on offer with 480 lots spread over 138 ha.

The new Magenta Shores, designed by Ross Watson, has just been completed at The Entrance 90 mins north of Sydney. Mirvac will construct a five-star Quay West Resort hotel, resort villas and 3- and 4-bedroom private homes, some with beach frontage on the 430 lots. Prices around the $1m mark.

Kooindah Waters at Wyong is another Central Coast public access golf course designed by Craig Parry in conjunction with Ross Watson and managed by Troon. CPG Developments have 252 single and double storey homes for sale. Apartments, townhouses and a 108-room resort and day spa are planned. House and land packages (from $495k) include golf membership.

A variety of land and housing options are available on and around Links Shell Cove 90 minutes south of Sydney, which opened in 2004. Australand is jointly developing 3000 lots with the local council, making this the largest project of its kind undertaken by an Australian municipality. The $1 billion project includes a 350-berth marina. 1000 lots have been sold, and ultimately over 10,000 people are expected to reside here.

The Vintage at Rothbury in the Hunter Valley, rated No. 17 in the 2006 Guide Guide and 23 this year, is a $450m community of 482 lots set on 200ha. With plans for a 150 room 5 star hotel, land is currently available from $190k and homes from $600k each including golf membership.

Around half of the 1000 lots are still available at Tallwoods, the private club set in a 237ha residential community 20 mins from Taree. Trafalgar projected 88 sales for the 2005/6 financial year, but sales have been slower than anticipated.

Twin Creeks is a private Graham Marsh designed golf club managed by Troon at Luddenham, 45 minutes drive west of Sydney. Home sites of an acre and larger have been on sale with million dollar price tags, and a 40-room boutique Peppers resort is scheduled for a 2007 opening.

Monarch Investments are constructing a hotel, apartments and golf villas at Macquarie Links, a private golf club at Ingleburn. The Peak comprises 3-bedroom apartments and 4-bedroom villas.

Monarch are also developing 1300 lots at Eastbrook Links Estate on the existing public access Musswellbrook Golf Club, inland from Newcastle.

Established developments at Cypress Lakes and Gold Creek in the ACT usually have properties offered for resale.

The long awaited second public golf course designed by owners Topmead at Riverside Oaks, Cattai, is now under construction, scheduled for completion end 2007 and will ultimately offer 189 home sites. Luxury homes are under construction.

Nearby, Mike Clayton’s first design commission in NSW is seeking approval for a 2008 opening. The Country Club Sydney will be a public access course set on 130 ha and surrounded by 163 luxury home sites developed by Lifestyle Investment Company. Home and land packages available now from $500k.

A limited number of apartments, homes and villas will be offered by Bradcorp at the Ross Watson designed public access Stonequarry Country Club planned for Picton. The course is anticipated by mid-2008 with a hotel to follow. To be managed by Troon.

Bradcorp have also planned a huge 1165 lot development and hotel complex at Wilton, with the Wilton Park Golf Course to be designed by Ernie Els and slated to open mid-2008.

Work has commenced, and within 3 years, Medallist plan to open Stonecutters Ridge, a private Troon course that will be Greg Norman’s first Sydney design – at Colebee, 60 mins west of the city. 1000 home sites will comprise this $600m environmentally sensitive community.

Illawarra Ridge, 65km south of Sydney is a proposal by Links Living to convert an existing 18 holes to nine and construct homes and apartments.

To complement an $11m upgrade at Wollongong Golf Course, Horizon Living are developing 2 and 3 bedroom apartments on Links Seaside Estate.


For golf course - real estate advice please email realestate@ausgolf.com.au