The Great Western Highway is one of Australia’s most historic roads and a key east-west connection out of Sydney. Over the last century it has been progressively upgraded to make it safer and more reliable. The trail today and the one your parents took when they drove you up to have a look at The Sisters in the dead of winter when you were 11 years old are vastly different, which is good news for you and your golf mates.
Only a 25-minute drive from Penrith sits the village of Springwood in an area travelled through by early European explorers who were trying to get their heads around the vast Blue Mountains landscape. They used to camp by a spring surrounded by towering Blue Gums in an area known to the local Darug people as Oryang-Ora. Later renamed Springwood, it became popular amongst wealthy landowners, including Sir Henry Parkes and later the controversial artist Norman Lindsay.
It is here you’ll find Springwood Country Club, a wonderful 18-hole course in the lower mountains “above the smog and below the fog” as they like to say. Established in 1905, the layout carries an ACR rating of 70 (Par 69) for men and an AWCR of 74 (par 74) for the women. The men’s course off the blue tees has a slope rating of 126 (the toughest in the Blue Mountains) and 128 for the ladies.
The course is designed to blend into the undulating terrain and natural bush setting. Although not a long golf course, it well and truly challenges golfers of all abilities, however there are two practice nets, a practice green and a practice fairway, so there should be no problems with your game whatsoever, right?
Springwood’s course was designed to blend into the undulating terrain and natural bush setting.
Apart from the golf, you’ve hit the road for plenty of fresh air and you’ve already found it in spades here in Springwood, as well as beautiful parkland surrounds and an abundance of colourful native birdlife to watch you during your round.
Springwood Country Club has strategically prioritised gender equity and inclusiveness, ensuring women and girls have equal access to the sport and to the club’s facilities. Springwood CC general manager Sean Honeywood says this has fostered positive participation experiences and long-term engagement, leading to increased participation numbers over the past two years. More precisely, from the end of October 2021 to the same time last year, male participation increased by 18 percent, while female participation rose by a whopping 44 percent.
“One of the standout initiatives we implemented was the Women’s Golf Development Program. Launched in response to the need for targeted support for female golfers, this program provided free golf clinics and first-year memberships, encouraged women to play for an extended period and provided them with access to a golf pro to assist in improving the basics of their game for greater success and enjoyment of the course,” reports Sean very proudly. Springwood is in the midst of producing a three-staged introductory clinic package for women and youth players, and there will also be beginners’ clinics for men and seniors players. The club also stages Medley comps – events in which both men and women compete on equal terms in every competition. These are usually played as stablefords or par competitions, with the same opportunities to win competition prizes for everyone.
“We first commenced a mixed pennants team (equal number of men and women) in interclub competitions several years ago and have continued the practice annually since,” says Sean.
In a significant move towards global inclusivity, Springwood CC became a signatory to the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter.
The structured approach of the Women’s Golf Development Program has not only encouraged beginners, but has also supported existing female members in honing their skills and confidence on the course.
Leura Golf Club has been located on its current site for 120 years.
Twenty-five minutes’ west along the highway, we arrive at the charming town of Leura.
Leura sits on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, with character-filled heritage homes, glorious cool climate gardens and a National Trust-classified town centre lined with cherry trees, all of which has social media activity wildly trending during the Spring blossom season and Autumn.
On the Leura escarpment and located over the Jamison Valley sits the beautiful and challenging Leura Golf Club along with Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. The Leura Golf Club has been located on this site since 1902 – over 120 years. Narrow chutes, acute shot angles, blind tee shots, doglegs, forbidding rough and rolling slopes combine to set up a challenge which will stretch any player’s concentration and technique.
Leura member Peter Hume’s iconic essay, The Beauty Of The Challenge, provides an eloquent description of the golfing experience at Leura Golf Club.
Of the front nine he wrote: “Back to back par fives on the 3rd and 4th holes present a welcome challenge to the serious golfer, who can be tempted to try for eagle from the tee with due attention to the best angle of approach on the second shot.
“The outer limits of the course surround the 4th green and one hits from an elevated tee to a par 3 at the fifth on the return journey. The uphill 6th is the first glimpse of the magnificent Jamison Valley and rewards the golfer even when scores don’t.
“The back nine requires a high degree of commitment to the best play one can manage. And they yield great satisfaction when mastery wins out. The consolidation of breath-taking scenery, adventurous shot-making and sheer sense of achievement at regulation figures are not to be missed by the serious golfer on these highly individual, delightfully distinctive holes. The back nine stretch is a great opportunity to refine one’s temperament, as well as display the best shots in one’s bag.
“The 14th par 4 , globally iconic and traversing the escarpment above the Jamison Valley, combines magnificent views and the number-one difficulty rating on the course. It is challenging and beautiful.”
And after a round of golf, luxury seekers need look no further than the gorgeous Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains next door. A haven for culinary enthusiasts, it boasts an array of dining outlets, including the recently awarded No.1 Sublime Pt, where guests can indulge in a culinary journey which complements the natural beauty of the surroundings. Among the treasures within Fairmont’s repertoire is the Ubika Day Spa, an oasis dedicated to rejuvenation and holistic wellness. The resort also boasts leisure facilities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a kids’ play area, basketball and tennis courts and the region’s first-ever ice-skating rink. Put simply, Fairmont Resort is the ultimate holiday destination in the charming town of Leura; the Golf Club and Resort combining to create that perfect escape from the stresses of city life.
Forty-five minutes’ drive away on the Great Western Highway, which turns north at Katoomba, and located in a beautiful valley just west of the Blue Mountains is Lithgow, a fascinating town with an industrial heart. Surrounded by spectacular wilderness, it is the gateway to the secret treasures of Wollemi National Park, the pagodas of the Gardens of Stone, the vast Capertee Valley and dramatic Wolgan Valley, as well as the world-renown Jenolan Caves.
But you’re here to play golf, so Lithgow Golf Club is your next port-of-call. The striking Lithgow Golf Clubhouse is a lovely federation homestead, built in the 1850s. Set amongst meticulously manicured grounds, great care has been taken to maintain the building’s true character. Once a grand home, it has been carefully converted to a working clubhouse, incorporating a function room, pro-shop, a balcony area and of course, the all-important 19th hole. The club’s less-important other 18 holes make up a par-72 layout 5992 metres in length, which well and truly puts players of all abilities to the test.
Bathurst Golf Club boasts an 18 hole-championship course with fast bent grass greens and lush couch fairways. Their course played host to the 1990 New South Wales Open.
Only a 50-minute drive away from Lithgow, your next stop on this Great Western Highway sojourn of yours will likely be Bathurst, home to the annual Bathurst 1000 Supercars race and plenty of other classes of motorsport throughout the year.
In between visits to quirky bars and heritage-listed buildings and landmarks, why not stick to our strict schedule and test your skills on one of inland New South Wales’ finest layouts. Bathurst Golf Club boasts an 18 hole-championship course with fast bent grass greens and lush couch fairways. Their course played host to the 1990 New South Wales Open. Meanwhile, the clubhouse is in a tree-lined setting with spectacular views over the course and across to the Blue Mountains.
A tick over 50km and you’ll arrive in Orange, the final stop on our skip up the Great Western Highway. With acclaimed wineries and cellar doors, fine dining, glorious parks and gardens, fabulous shopping and charming heritage villages, Orange makes for an unforgettable country break. When you’ve had your fill of wine and food (is that a thing? We checked around our office and it turns out it isn’t) and an overnight rest, drive the endless rural roads to your heart’s content or take to the skies in a hot-air balloon for an altogether different perspective.
Or do none of that and just head to Duntryleague instead, one of the region’s premier venues and regarded by many as the most elegant landmark in Orange. Nestled on the picturesque grounds of a championship 18-hole golf course and adorned with stylish gardens, Duntryleague is the perfect destination for your golfing experience … or wedding.
Duntryleague is the perfect destination for your next golfing experience. (PHOTO: Brendan James)
The par 70 course from the blue markers and par 72 from the red stretches 6008 metres and 5281 metres respectively. Lush South African couch and undulating tree-lined fairways, bent grass greens and a thoughtful strategic layout requiring accuracy off the tee make this course a pleasure to experience. Overlooking the prestigious course and situated in the botanical gardens is Duntryleague’s historic mansion, built in 1876 and offering 14 guest rooms, all with en suites and two and three bedroom fully self-contained apartments.
Duntryleague was listed in the Top-100 Australian Public Access Courses by this magazine in our prestigious list published in 2023. “Duntryleague has long-been regarded as one of the best courses in regional NSW and for good reason. The design, overseen by acclaimed course architect Eric Apperly back in 1935, has withstood the test of time and remains a great test,” said one of our judges Joe Thomas.
Fellow marker Julie Stokes was just a big a fan: “With the historic Duntryleague mansion standing above the surrounding course, a round here is a great experience, especially in Autumn, when cooler temperatures turn the dozens of species of trees across the property into a colourful display.”
Lastly, a golfing visit to Orange is not complete without playing “Wenty” before heading home. Whether you are after a fun, casual hit with friends, or a challenging course while soaking up the atmosphere, beginners and experienced golfers will enjoy a round at Wentworth Golf Club.
Originally a paddock, it was turned into a stunning 18-hole grass green golf course with 22 sand bunkers, three dams, new trees, and a small pine forest. Wenty warmly welcomes visitors from all parts, so make sure you sound them out about their accommodation, dining and golf with cart packages.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE …
Over and under Lennox Bridge
Lennox Bridge on Mitchells Pass at Glenbrook is the oldest stone arch bridge on the Australian mainland. This elegant single-span stone arch bridge was built in local stone and completed in 1833 by David Lennox using unskilled convict labour. This early engineering masterpiece carried all the traffic to western New South Wales until 1926. The car park beside Lennox Bridge is the trailhead for several family and pet-friendly bushwalks.
Visit The Three Sisters
Part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Three Sisters is an iconic formation you must see at least once in your lifetime. The imposing Sisters are best seen from Echo Point lookout, on the edge of the plateau above. These three weathered sandstone peaks were formed thousands of years ago through erosion. From the lookout you’ll also be able to see the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary.
Have a Blast at The Furnace
The Blast Furnace is a monument to Lithgow’s industrial history. It was here that the first iron and steel in Australia were cast. William Sandford established the blast furnace in 1886 and it continued production until 1928, when the entire industry was moved to Port Kembla. The site has been developed as a park around the remains of the pump house and the foundations of the furnace.
Pinnacle Reserve and Lookout
The view from Towac Pinnacle lookout at sunrise or sunset is well worth the walk. Set amongst the tall shady gum trees on the southern side of Pinnacle Road, the reserve features picnic shelters, toilets and barbeques constructed from bluestone. The northern side of the road has a walking trail which climbs to Towac Pinnacle with spectacular views of the Towac Valley.
Do a lap of Mt Panorama
Mount Panorama is a public road, and as such can be treated like any other road in NSW. The public is more than welcome to ride or walk around The Mount. There is a boardwalk of 1.7km from Griffins Bend to the Bathurst Light Car Club near the exit of Forrest’s Elbow, which winds through a combination of ground-level and elevated sections.
WHERE TO PLAY
Springwood Country Club
www.springwoodgolfclub.com.au
(02) 4751 2484
Leura Golf Club
www.leuragolfclub.com.au
(02) 4785 0035
Lithgow Golf Club
www.lithgowgolfclub.com.au
(02) 6351 3164
Bathurst Golf Club
www.bathurstgolf.com.au
(02) 6331 4144
Duntryleague
www.duntryleague.com.au
(02) 6362 4072
Wentworth Golf Club
www.wentworthgolfclub.com.au
(02) 6361 4505
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