Australia’s Nullarbor Links – The World’s Longest Golf Course
Golfing along the Nullarbor
You might really enjoy a morning or afternoon leisurely stroll between pars and across manicured greens. But, for those who don’t mind a slightly more challenging, drawn out game of golf, you might like to consider Australia’s Nullarbor Links.
The Nullarbor Links
The Nullarbor Links is the longest golf course in the world and comes with a good mix of sightseeing and Australian wildlife (and wild locals) included for free. Just a heads up, to complete the whole course, and enjoy the drive at leisure, you’ll need to factor in between four to six days!
Spread across two States in Australia and two time zones, the 18-hole, par 72 golf course spans approximately 1,365km (850miles). The course runs along the Eyre Highway from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia’s goldfields to Ceduna in South Australia. Construction was completed in 2009 and it has since been a popular attraction for road-trippers to break up the journey of crossing the Nullarbor. Seven of the holes are on existing golf courses, but 11 holes were purpose built amongst the existing bushland. As a result, you should keep an eye out for ball stealing crows, curious snakes and possibly windy conditions!
No Trees
Nullarbor translates to “no trees” in Latin and as such, much of the vegetation that is found along the Nullarbor is short, bushy, scrub and shrubbery with patches and carpets of wildflowers after rains. Iconic Australian wildlife and a variety of introduced animals wander freely and drivers are encouraged to avoid dusk and dawn as this tends to be ‘peak hour’ for wildlife crossing the highway. Apart from guaranteed sightings of kangaroos, emus, a wombat or two (especially at Nundroo’s ‘Wombat Hole’) and wild camels, the locals are also part of the experience and always happy to chat with visitors as you travel from par to par through vast isolated station country.
Nullarbor Links – Kalgoorlie Golf Course
Memorable Par’s Along the Course
Apart from the Golf Links course, the Nullarbor is also known for a few other unique attractions. One hole along the course near Balladonia is called ‘Skylab. Named after the NASA laboratory orbiting Earth, which fell apart and landed in pieces around Balladonia in 1979. You might be lucky to spot migrating Southern Right Whales from the spectacular cliff tops near hole Dingo’s Den, around June-August. The ‘90 Mile Straight’, Australia’s longest straight road, is known for being just that. Due to its convenient length and long-sighted visibility, it is also where the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service is known to land and take off from.
Challenge yourself to one of the most unique golf courses in the world… Caddy’s not included.
Learn more about the Nullarbor Links or if you have 8minutes and 50seconds see what it looks like here!
Images courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
September 12, 2017
