Why go
The Melbourne Sandbelt is a twenty-minute radius of firm, fast, sand-based golf — Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Victoria — where Alister MacKenzie's bunker artistry sets the world standard.
Best time to visit
October to April
Weather
Mild and changeable; four seasons in a day.
Getting there
Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), 45 minutes from the Sandbelt.
Getting around
Car or rideshare; courses cluster tightly.
Where to eat
World-class coffee, Chinatown, and the laneway restaurant scene.
Courses
Play in Melbourne Sandbelt
Kingston Heath Golf Club
The best bunkering on any flat site in golf, and a par-3 15th that is close to perfect.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,002
- Green fee
- $230+
Metropolitan Golf Club
Arguably the finest turf in Australia, with immaculate couch fairways and bentgrass greens.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,959
- Green fee
- $180+
Peninsula Kingswood North
A recent OCM restoration returned this to the front rank of the Sandbelt.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,975
- Green fee
- $160+
Royal Melbourne East
Russell's companion course, six of whose holes form the Composite Course.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,598
- Green fee
- $220+
Royal Melbourne West
Top-five in the world. MacKenzie's bunkering and greens on perfect sand — the standard everything else is measured against.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,987
- Green fee
- $250+
Victoria Golf Club
Peter Thomson's home club, sharing a fence with Royal Melbourne and the same glorious sand.
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,800
- Green fee
- $180+
Stay
Where to base yourself
Crown Towers Melbourne
Big-city luxury with a serious dining floor.
$330 – $700 per night
Southbank, 30 min
The Como Melbourne
Stylish South Yarra base near the best restaurants in the city.
$220 – $400 per night
South Yarra, 25 min to Sandbelt
Quest Brighton on the Bay
Apartment-style rooms for groups who want kitchens and laundry.
$170 – $300 per night
Central Sandbelt
Sandringham Hotel
Bayside pub-hotel right in the middle of the Sandbelt.
$150 – $270 per night
10 min to Royal Melbourne
Events
Amateur events nearby
Metropolitan Foursomes
Mar 14, 2026 Foursomes
A proper alternate-shot day on the best turf in Australia.
$280
Handicap 18 or better
Sandbelt Classic
Nov 7, 2026 54-hole stroke play
Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Victoria in three days.
$620
Handicap 9 or better
From the travel desk
Stories from Melbourne Sandbelt
Ready to play Melbourne Sandbelt?
Read the course reviews