Hunter Hideaway

Tee off amid the reds, whites and greens

The clubhouse and lake as seen from the 1st green.

Offering a selection of some 100 world class wineries and a swag of boutique breweries, cheese makers and market gardens, the Hunter Valley is both a wine lover's paradise and a mecca for gourmet food connoisseurs. This very fertile and highly scenic vale, a comfortable 90 minute drive northwest of Sydney, is also a prime golf getaway.

Situated on 137 ha. of elite Hunter Valley real estate, the 18 hole championship layout at the Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club ranks among the top resort courses in Australia.

Unveiled in 1992, the par 72 6359 metre course designed by Steve Smyers of Florida has a dual character.

The 6th hole offers an alluring tree-lined vista.

The undulating front nine holes provide many exciting confrontations from extensive bunkering, sloping fairways and blind greens to ball catching trees and massive lakes, especially the one on the 1st.

The opening hole is a real heart starter … or stopper with players forced to make a heroic tee shot over water. The back nine holes aren't any easier; their links-like layout is also appealing and arduous.

The Hunter's well deserved reputation as one of the country's A-list wine producing areas is forever etched into your mind when teeing off on the 11th. Much of the carry on this 391 metre hole is over the resort's own vineyard. (Bottles of ‘11th Hole’ Chardonnay and Shiraz are available for sale in the pro shop.)

The Brokenback Range backdrops the 13th and 14th holes.

On the final hole, golfers return to the first part of the course. The tough 439 metre 18th requires a tee shot over water and down a tree tussled fairway to a well-manicured sloping green.

After signing the score card it's back to your spacious villa - all villas have a large balcony overlooking the golf course, the vineyards and the Brokenback Range - to freshen up before a sumptuous dinner in the Pipette.

The resort's multi award winning signature restaurant, offers indoor or al fresco dining on the terrace. Opt for the latter because nothing is more succulent than a memorable meal of regional specialities and premium wines accompanied by stunning views of the hole-in-one Hunter Valley.