Representative image Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
18 Holes · Par 71 · On request · Coastal
— About
About Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course in Hawke's Bay is a Tom Doak design set on ridge-top cliffs above the Pacific Ocean in New Zealand's North Island. Doak's routing pushes to the very edge of the coastal cliffs on multiple holes, where fairways end abruptly at 100-metre drops to the Pacific far below. The 6th hole — a par-4 with the ocean visible far below on three sides — is among the most exposed on the course. The Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers, one of the world's largest mainland gannet nesting colonies, is visible from several holes. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers provides luxury lodge accommodation on the property, making this a complete resort experience in Hawke's Bay. Access from Napier and Havelock North is straightforward, and the region's food and wine scene adds to the trip.
- Tom Doak design on the Hawke's Bay coast, opened in 2004
- Clifftop holes drop 100 metres to the Pacific
- 6th hole plays with the Pacific visible on three sides
- Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony visible from several holes
- The Farm lodge on site for stay-and-play visits
History of Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course was commissioned by American businessman Julian Robertson, who purchased farmland on the clifftop peninsula in Hawke's Bay and engaged Tom Doak to design a course that would make full use of the extraordinary site. Robertson's brief was simple: design a course that responds to the landscape rather than imposing upon it. Doak's solution was to push holes to the very edge of the cliffs — an approach that created the course's signature drama but also required significant earthmoving to create stable playing surfaces on terrain where the cliff edge drops 100 metres to the Pacific. The course opened in 2004 alongside The Farm luxury lodge, which provides the resort accommodation that made Cape Kidnappers a complete destination.
Signature holes at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
The par-4 6th at Cape Kidnappers is the most dramatic individual hole — three sides of the peninsular fairway drop away to the Pacific Ocean far below, creating a tee shot and approach played with a strong awareness of the exposure. The par-3 15th plays from an elevated tee over a Pacific-facing cliff to a green where any miss short-left finds a hundred-metre drop — Doak's use of the natural drama here is at its most uncompromising. The par-5 18th finishes with a sweeping second shot toward a green above the Pacific, ending the round with the full panorama of the Hawke's Bay coast.
When to play Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
October through April is Hawke's Bay's long, warm summer — temperatures of 20–28°C with New Zealand's highest sunshine hours outside Nelson. November through March is the ideal window for Cape Kidnappers: consistent weather, maximum daylight, and the Hawke's Bay food and wine scene at its best. May through September is cooler (12–18°C) and windier on the cliffs, but the course is open year-round. Hawke's Bay's Art Deco Napier, winery trail, and gannet colony combine with the golf for a North Island itinerary.
Playing Cape Kidnappers Golf Course: tips
Cape Kidnappers is a resort course open to all visitors — book tee times through the Farm at Cape Kidnappers website. Staying at The Farm luxury lodge is the recommended experience; day visitor tee times are available but limited. The nearest airport is Hawke's Bay Airport, Napier — approximately 30 kilometres from the course. Caddies are available and recommended for first-time visitors unfamiliar with the cliff-edge holes.
— Weather at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
Approximate conditions · Observed · Open-Meteo
Visit Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
446 Clifton Road, Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay 4180, New Zealand
Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
— Facilities
Practical Information
— FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Kidnappers Golf Course
How much does it cost to play Cape Kidnappers?
Green fees and packages vary by season; check the Cape Kidnappers website for current rates. Staying at The Farm luxury lodge on-site is the recommended approach.
Can day visitors play Cape Kidnappers without staying at The Farm?
Yes — day visitor tee times are available at Cape Kidnappers, though lodge guests receive booking priority. Book directly through the Cape Kidnappers website.
Why is the 6th hole at Cape Kidnappers so famous?
The par-4 6th has the Pacific Ocean dropping away on three sides of the fairway — a hole with considerable visual drama.
How do I get to Cape Kidnappers?
Hawke's Bay Airport in Napier is approximately 30 kilometres away — around 30 minutes by car. Air New Zealand flies Napier-Auckland (1 hour) and Napier-Wellington (1 hour). The resort provides transfers from Napier.
What is the Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony?
Cape Kidnappers is home to one of the world's largest accessible mainland gannet colonies — around 20,000 birds nest on the clifftops visible from the golf course. The colony is accessible by guided tour from Te Awanga.