By 
GCR Score: 4.5 / 5
Verdict: Highly recommended for public-access Bellarine golf, especially if you value facilities and transparent seasonal pricing.
Best For: Bellarine visitors, Melbourne day-trippers, Geelong golfers, and players who like firm links-style golf.
Avoid If: Peak summer pricing or windy links-style golf will annoy you.
Last reviewed: 11 July 2026
I came into this curlewis golf club review asking one simple question: is this club useful for real Australian golfers?
Curlewis is the strongest pure public-access play in this batch. It has seasonal pricing, serious facilities, a ranked course, and a membership model with fewer old-school hurdles.
Below, I cover visitor access, green fees, annual subs, facilities, dress standards, and the honest trade-offs.
Club Overview
Image: Curlewis Golf Club
| Club Type | Public-access golf club |
|---|---|
| Location | Curlewis, Bellarine Peninsula |
| State | VIC |
| Course Type | Links-style public-access course |
| Holes / Par | 18 holes, par 71/73, 6,150m |
| Visitor Green Fee | A$80-A$120 weekday; A$90-A$120 weekend depending on season |
| Annual Subs | A$2,489 7 Day; A$1,849 5 Day |
| Joining Fee | No application fee; no nomination or committee approval listed |
| Visitor Access | Green-fee players welcome; online tee bookings available |
| Best Time | March-May and September-November |
| Dress Code | Moderate; club policies apply |
| Official Website | curlewisgolf.com.au |
| Phone | 03 5251 1111 |
Curlewis sits 15 minutes from Geelong and about one hour from Melbourne. It is modern, visitor-friendly, and not shy about its personality.
Course Design and Standout Holes
The course was established in 1970 and has a links-type character, sandy base, undulating couch fairways, bunkers, firm greens, and wind exposure.
Curlewis is less about one postcard hole and more about how wind changes the same fairway each day. The 6,150m par-71/73 layout has enough bite for good players.
What I Liked
Image: Curlewis Golf Club
- Green-fee players are always welcome
- Transparent seasonal 9-hole and 18-hole pricing
- Strong rankings in Australian public-access golf
- Excellent practice and entertainment ecosystem through The Range @ Curlewis
- No nomination, application fee, bar levy, or water levy listed
The standout: Curlewis combines public access with destination-level facilities better than most regional clubs.
What I Didn’t Like
- Peak 18-hole fees reach A$120
- Wind can make the course play much harder
- Weekend shoulder rates are not cheap
- Student and junior access can be restricted during peak competition slots
The main caution is price timing. Off-peak is good value; peak summer is a different conversation.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
Pricing note: Fees are in AUD. Australian consumer prices are generally GST-inclusive unless stated otherwise. Confirm live prices before booking.
Visitor and Hire Fees
| 9 holes weekday off-peak / shoulder / peak | A$45 / A$50-A$52.50 / A$65 |
|---|---|
| 9 holes weekend off-peak / shoulder / peak | A$50 / A$55-A$60 / A$65 |
| 18 holes weekday off-peak / shoulder / peak | A$80 / A$90-A$95 / A$120 |
| 18 holes weekend off-peak / shoulder / peak | A$90 / A$100-A$110 / A$120 |
| Twilight | Pay 9-hole rate, play unlimited golf; from 3pm Oct-Mar and 2pm Apr-Sep |
| Buggy hire | A$50 for 18 holes; A$30 for 9 holes; peak 18-hole buggy A$60 |
Curlewis openly welcomes green-fee players and supports online tee bookings, which is exactly what travelling golfers want.
Membership and Annual Subs
| 7 Day membership | A$2,489 |
|---|---|
| 5 Day membership | A$1,849 |
| Young membership 18-29 | A$1,449 |
| Student under 25 | A$689 |
| Junior Flyers | A$289 |
| Clubhouse Social | A$329 with A$100 house credit |
The no-nomination, no-committee-approval model feels refreshingly modern. It suits the club’s public-access personality.
Recommended Gear
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
The No. 1 ball in golf, played on tour Check Price on Amazon →
FootJoy StaSof Golf Glove
Tour-favorite leather glove, worn by Adam Scott Check Price on Amazon →
Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Rangefinder
Amazon best-seller with slope-adjusted accuracy Check Price on Amazon →
Garmin Approach S50 GPS Watch
Premium course-mapping GPS for serious rounds Check Price on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, GreatClubReview earns from qualifying purchases.
GA Handicap, Pennant and Competition
Membership benefits include an official Golf Australia handicap. Visitors playing social golf should still confirm comp requirements when booking.
Competition days include Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday blocks, so visitor timing still matters.
Facilities and Amenities
Image: Curlewis Golf Club
- 18-hole ranked public-access course
- The Range @ Curlewis with Toptracer and XGolf simulators
- Claribeaux and Ivor’s Spike Bar dining
- Accommodation and stay-and-play options
- PGA teaching professionals, club fitting, and mini golf
The Range is a genuine differentiator. It turns Curlewis into a full golf precinct, not just an 18-hole course.
Best Time to Visit
For Victoria, March-May and September-November are best. Summer can be fun, but peak pricing and wind both rise.
Use off-peak winter or shoulder months if value matters. Twilight can be a ripper if you have daylight and energy.
How to Get There
Curlewis is at 1345 Portarlington Road, about 15 minutes from Geelong and one hour from Melbourne.
Dress Code and Etiquette
Image: Curlewis Golf Club
Follow club policies and dress for a proper golf venue. Wind-proof layers are smart outside summer.
Respect competition blocks and be ready for firm, windy conditions. Slow play gets exposed on open ground.
Nearby Alternatives
Compared with Eastern or Eastwood, Curlewis is more of a destination public-access venue with stronger visitor infrastructure.
For more context, see The Eastern Golf Club Eastwood Golf Club VIC golf club reviews. I score clubs using the same approach explained in our review methodology.
Who Is This Club For?
This club is a good fit if you want a public-access Bellarine course with real design interest.
It also works if you like combining golf with range, dining, accommodation, or a Geelong/Bellarine trip.
Skip it if you hate wind, firm turf, or seasonal pricing jumps.
People Also Ask
Can visitors play Curlewis Golf Club?
Yes. Curlewis says green-fee players are welcome and supports online public tee bookings.
How much is Curlewis Golf Club?
Off-peak 18-hole rates start at A$80 weekday and A$90 weekend. Peak 18-hole rates reach A$120.
Does Curlewis have twilight golf?
Yes. Twilight lets you pay the 9-hole rate and play unlimited golf, from 3pm October-March and 2pm April-September.
How much is Curlewis membership?
The club lists 7 Day membership at A$2,489 and 5 Day membership at A$1,849.
Does Curlewis have a joining fee?
The application page lists no nomination or committee approval and no application fee.
Is Curlewis worth it?
Yes. It is one of the stronger public-access golf experiences near Geelong, especially outside peak summer pricing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Green-fee players are always welcome
- Transparent seasonal 9-hole and 18-hole pricing
- Strong rankings in Australian public-access golf
- Excellent practice and entertainment ecosystem through The Range @ Curlewis
- No nomination, application fee, bar levy, or water levy listed
Cons
- Peak 18-hole fees reach A$120
- Wind can make the course play much harder
- Weekend shoulder rates are not cheap
- Student and junior access can be restricted during peak competition slots
Final Verdict
Curlewis Golf Club scores 4.5 out of 5. Curlewis deserves its strong score. It is transparent, accessible, well-ranked, and backed by facilities that make it more than a normal regional round.
Curlewis is what public-access golf looks like when a club actually invests in the whole day.
Ranked #14 in our Best Golf Clubs in Australia — see how it compares with the rest of the top 20.
Author Note
I review clubs from the viewpoint of a regular golfer checking access, price, conditioning, and whether the club suits its local market.
Key sources checked for this review: Curlewis green fees Curlewis membership application Curlewis about page
