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6 Best Golf Courses in Australia

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The importance of doing any kind of sport cannot be stressed enough, and you should make it an essential part of your travels as well. For all of you golf enthusiasts out there, here’s a list of the 6 best golf courses in Australia to play up your performance on the road.

Kingston Heath, Melbourne

Belonging to the famous Melbourne Sandbelt, Kingston Heath is one of the world’s most renowned golf clubs and one of the smallest courses too. It has a long history of hosting national championships, as well as international events, such as the 2016 World Cup. The most challenging element of this course are its bunkers, which both stimulate your mind and look incredible. Kingston Heath is a feast for all the senses and it’s constructed to make you push your limits and constantly improve your performance.

source: greatgolfaustralia.com.au

Barnbougle Lost Farm, Tasmania

Located along the coast, Lost Farm is a true paradise for golfers. It features 20 holes that pose a challenge to any golfer, regardless of their level of knowledge and practice. The course tour stretches along the coast and deep towards the Tasmanian hinterland, to provide the ultimate golf challenge, while soaking in the beauty of the nature and landscape. The course also offers professional lessons and practice facilities on the spot, to help you improve your game and achieve the perfect shot.

source: caddiemag.com

Long Reef Golf Club, Sydney

Situated 20 km outside Sydney CBD, this North Shore golf club is the perfect choice for those who want to smoothen their game and enjoy the scenic landscape of the Northern Beaches along the way. British and Australian Open winner Peter Thomson, one of Australia’s best golf players and course designers, stated that Long Reef is “the best site of any golf course in Sydney”, which is a perfect recommendation for everyone who is considering to play golf here. The design of the course stimulates your thoughts and actions, regardless of your golf standard. What separates Long Reef Golf Club from the rest is that it is fully functional in wet weather, so you don’t have to miss out due to the rain.

Source: longreefgolfclub.com.au

Ellerston, New South Wales

This golf course is one of the most exclusive clubs, and it was in the private possession of the late Kerry Packer, Australia’s richest man. It’s located in the Upper Hunter Valley, a rugged area with stunning nature that influences the game with its ravines and gullies. The terrain stimulates your brain and affects your moves, encouraging your best play, while it’s also visually appealing.

Source: gngcd.com

The National (Moonah), Cape Schanck, Victoria

The ‘Moonah’ golf course, a part of the National Golf Club, is a world-class course that provides its attendees with everything they need for a successful and stimulating play. This championship course contains 18 holes and it’s built on sand dunes, so the players can enjoy an amazing view of the sea while practicing their shots. Even though this is a private club, select groups are allowed to play, and they consist of both Australian and international visitors.

Source: nationalgolf.com.au

The Royal Adelaide, Adelaide

Located in South Australia, in the Adelaide suburb of Seaton, this private golf club has been the host of the Australian Open nine times, confirming its status in the world of golf. Despite being a private club, the Royal Adelaide gives opportunities to visitors to have a go on their course and tackle the challenges of the links.

Source: royaladelaidegolf.com.au

There you have it – a list of the top golf courses in Australia, where you can improve your skills and have a lot of fun along the way.

Journey from Canberra to Alice Springs

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If you are planning a trip to the heart of Australia, you’ve come to the right place! We are going to tell you everything you need to know for this 2500 km long journey. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have a better idea about which form of travel suits you best.

Flights

There are two things you need to be aware of. First, only Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia (best connections to New Zealand as well) fly to Alice Springs. Second, there are no flights to Alice Springs in Canberra. In other words, you will have to go to the Sydney Airport if you want to get there by plane. The average one-way adult ticket costs about 240$ and the flight lasts around three hours.

Airport tips

If you opt for travel by air, you should know that the Alice Springs airport is 15 km south of Alice Springs. To put it simply, you can’t see the town from the airport. The airport is very small and has two sets of toilets. We will tell you one secret: instead of going to the first lot of toilets, go through the security area and turn left. There you will find the toilets that the locals always use, and they never have a queue in front of them (you’re welcome).

You can book a shuttle drive at the airport’s shuttle desk (at the front of the airport near the baggage carousel area) that will transport you directly to Alice Springs. If you are a backpacker, many backpacker hostels offer free shuttle drives from the airport. There are also plenty of private car hires and taxis. But if you want to hire a car, it will be much cheaper to hire it in town rather than at the airport.

Driving

This is probably the best way to get to Alice Springs. You will have an a great time and see amazing scenery, such as Stuart Highway , Port Augusta, Uluru, Coober Pedy, etc. In other words, you are going to live and experience the full size and beauty of Australia (and it will be cheaper than flying).

But driving also has its downsides. The travel itself is going to be a bit more exhausting because you will need to add 3 extra days of travel time, and the fuel costs are going to be big. Along the Stuart Highway fuel costs from $1.80 – $2.30 per liter.

Train

If you are an Aussie you probably already know about the legendary Ghan train service. With the train, you will experience the pleasure of meeting new and different people, and enjoy the cheerful service and comfort of the train itself.

Bus

There are many different options for buses, but if you are in a group, you should check charter bus rental in Canberra. Just imagine you and your family and friends traveling alone in a spacious and fully equipped bus, relaxing and enjoying the view. Grab some playing cards, beer and food and you will experience the best possible road trip.

If there are only a couple of you, or you are travelling alone, there is actually a regular Greyhound bus that goes up and down the Stuart Highway directly to Alice Springs. Consider getting a kilometer pass since they last for a year and you can hop on and off the bus whenever you want until you run out of kilometers.

Rental Car

This is definitely the cheapest option for those that just need to get to Alice Springs, or get out of Alice Springs. Basically, you rent a car at one location and your rental finishes at your final destination. In other words, you don’t have to worry about returning your car to the original rental office. The cost can be as cheap as 1$ per day hire plus fuel. The downside is that sometimes the rental company can give you a really short time limit between the two locations so you won’t have time to look around. They book very fast and if you are travelling alone, you have a lot of driving to do in a very short period of time.

That would be it for Alice Springs tips. We would love to hear about your Alice Springs experience, so feel free to share it with us in the comment section. You can never get too much information and advice.

Where to Find Europe’s Best Beaches: Spain vs. Portugal

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Posted by Sam Schuler

Spain and Portugal are two top vacation destinations in Europe with beautiful sandy beaches, a warm sunny climate and a low cost of living. Spanish cities and beaches attract over 60 million visitors each year and the country ranks #2 in Europe for tourism.

In comparison, the country of Portugal does not even make it into the Top 10 most popular destinations with a mere 14 million visitors. However, if you are looking for authentic fishing villages, cultural experiences, rolling surf and less crowded beaches, Portugal may be more to your liking than the high-rise Spanish Costas!

Both countries have family friendly beaches, city beaches and more remote crescents of sand that few visitors choose to visit. Checkout our list of Europe’s best beaches before planning your next sun-and-sand vacation in Europe.

Best Beaches in Spain

For families, La Manga del Mar Menor in Murcia offers a shallow saltwater lagoon formed by a 22-mile long sandbar with several channels connecting it to the Mediterranean Sea. The result is miles of beaches on both the ocean and the lagoon with opportunities for snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and canoeing in this scenic area.

Couples looking for a more high-end resort will find exclusive designer shopping, marble plazas and gorgeous beaches in Marbella on the Costa del Sol. The multi-million dollar super yachts in the marina may be out of your budget, but you can still enjoy the private beach clubs, tennis courts, golf courses, stand-up paddle boarding, waterfront dining and subtropical gardens in this classy resort.

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Looking to escape the crowds? Make your way further north to Tamariu on the Costa Brava. This idyllic area has sandy coves fringed with tall green pines and coral pink rocks. This area boasts some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean making it a delight to go swimming, snorkeling or take a boat trip in this peaceful area. It’s the perfect place for chilling out on the beach, yet beautiful Barcelona to the south and the French border to the north are just an hour away if you fancy a scenic coastal drive.

The quieter northwest coast of Spain is popular with surfers as it is battered by Atlantic breakers. Consider the city of San Sebastian in the Spanish Basque region which has endless sandy beaches along this picturesque shoreline. The hilly backdrop and traditional houses in the Old Town make this almost unrecognizable as “typical Spain” but it provides the perfect haven for beach lovers.

Of course, many of Spain’s best beaches are on the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza. In summer these sandy beaches are the perfect place for party goers to sleep off a night of dancing, clubbing and drinking, if that’s what you’re looking for in a vacation!
In winter, the Spanish Canary Islands are a popular choice. Located off the coast of Africa, these volcanic islands have some of the Europe’s best beaches, although they often consist of mainly black volcanic sand. One exception is Maspalomas Beach on Gran Canaria, which has gigantic wind-sculpted sand dunes of golden sand as a backdrop to one of the best beaches in Spain.

Best Beaches in Portugal

Most of Portugal’s best beaches are in the southwest of the country, south of Lisbon and scattered along the Algarve coastline. Praia da Rocha in Portimao is one of the longest, broadest and firmest sandy beaches in the Algarve, which can get crowded in summer. Sheltered by the cliffs, it is popular for sunbathing, safe swimming, surfing, walking or playing beach volleyball.

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The small town of Sagres on the Algarve has an undeveloped beach with orange cliffs and dramatic rolling waves. If you want to spend time exploring Portugal’s agricultural heartland by car, this town is the gateway to the Alentejo and the dramatic Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

Porto de Mos Beach certainly wins as one of the best beaches in Portugal when it comes to natural beauty. The golden sands, multicolored cliffs, caverns and rock formations are stunning against the turquoise sea. This gorgeous beach usually benefits from fresh sea breezes to keep temperatures pleasant.

If you want to combine your beach vacation in Portugal with a few city highlights, Playa do Guincho is just 30 minutes from Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. The golden sands are pounded by Atlantic breakers and the fresh seafood here is sensational! Nearby is the lighthouse and Cabo da Roca, Europe’s most westerly point which was once believed to be the end of the world!

Spain or Portugal? Which Beach Getaway is Right for You?

Whether you choose to explore the best beaches in Spain, or would prefer to catch some rays in coastal Portugal, a car rental will allow you to make the most of your visit exploring the surrounding area at your own pace. Visit Moorish palaces, tiny fishing villages and stunning national parks as part of your adventure. Of course, your car rental also makes airport transfers with your luggage very affordable and easy.

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From spacious van rentals in Portugal that are able to accommodate the entire family, to trendy sports cars in Spain and practically everything in between, Auto Europe has the vehicle that will best compliment your needs wherever you’ll be traveling. Reserving a car rental online is easy and can be done by using their secure booking engine – below.

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