Queensland's top public golf courses

Queensland is home to some of the most picturesque golf courses in the country - some of which have been designed by the world’s leading golfers. If you’re looking for a public course, there are plenty of options to try. Here are our five picks.

Glades Golf Club, Robina

Glades Golf Club, designed by Queensland’s own Greg Norman, the course features 98 bunkers on 18 holes. The upside is there is not as much water as some resort courses in Queensland. The course is generous if you hit your tee shots straight but keep clear of the wetlands as they are a graveyard for golf balls.

Paradise Palms, Kewarra Beach

Paradise Palms is tropical north Queensland’s prettiest but trickiest course, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the McAlister Ranges. This is another course covered in bunkers – there are 94 – in addition to numerous lakes and creeks.

Brookwater Golf and Country Club

Brookwater Golf and Country Club is a stunning course with some of the best, but tightest, fairways in Queensland. A few holes are long, like the 13th, that is a 550-metre par 5. But it’s not far for Brisbane locals as it’s just 30 minutes from the CBD. It’s another course designed by Greg Norman, so don’t expect it to be easy.

Links, Hope Island

Known to some as No Hope Island, Links is one of the best courses on the coast, but it’s also very tricky. Each hole offers a wonderful view of the fairway and surrounds. It’s a traditional links-style course in a region dominated by resort courses. Bring plenty of balls as there’s a lot of water here and the 17th is a 200-metre plus par 3.

Townsville Golf Club, Townsville

Just a 10-minute drive from Townsville CBD, you’ll feel you’re in another world after a couple of holes on the Townsville Golf Club course. It’s built along the banks of the Ross River and there are 27 holes meandering through Aussie bush. Be careful playing after floods, as there have been numerous croc sightings. You’ll also see a lot of magpie, geese, curlews and black cockatoos.