By 
The Eastern Golf Club in Yering has completed a remarkable comeback. Its rebuilt clubhouse reopened during late 2025 beside 27 Greg Norman-designed holes. Here is our full The Eastern Golf Club review.
This is still a private members’ club. Eligible interstate and international club members can enquire for A$150 rounds on selected weekdays and Sundays.
Staying at Yering Gorge Cottages creates the clearest visitor route. Cottage guests currently pay A$105 per round, subject to tee-time availability.
The golf prioritises generous landing space and difficult approaches. Bentgrass greens, water, bunkering, and Yarra Valley winds make iron placement decisive.
GCR Score: 4.7 / 5
Verdict: Exceptional Yarra Valley golf for members and eligible visitors
Best For: Members, travelling club golfers, stay-and-play guests, and strong iron players
Think Twice If: You need simple public access or affordable first-year membership
Last Reviewed: 5 July 2026
At a Glance
Image: The Eastern Golf Club
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 215 Victoria Road, Yering VIC 3770 |
| Course Type | Modern Yarra Valley parkland |
| Holes | 27 championship holes plus nine-hole Shark Waters |
| Course Length | Up to approximately 6,500m by combination |
| Par | 72 across championship combinations |
| Green Fees | A$150 eligible unintroduced; A$105 cottage guest |
| Visitor Access | Private; limited qualifying access |
| Membership | Open; proposal or references required |
| Dress Code | Traditional private-club standard |
| Designer | Greg Norman Golf Course Design |
| Founded | Origins in 1896; Yering opened during 2015 |
| Phone | (03) 9739 0110 |
| Official Website | easterngolfclub.com.au |
All prices are Australian dollars. Confirm whether quoted rates include GST before payment.
Course Overview
The Yering property opened during 2015 beside the Yarra River. Greg Norman Golf Course Design created 27 championship holes and Shark Waters.
Three 18-hole combinations use the numbered layout. South plays holes 1–18, North uses 10–27, and East combines 19–27 with 1–9.
That accessibility ends around the greens. Angles, run-offs, water, bunkers, elevation, and wind create a demanding second-shot course.
Golf Australia Magazine documented couch fairways, bentgrass greens, and substantial practice facilities. Recent player feedback continues praising conditioning.
Our key takeaway: Eastern looks generous from each tee, then asks much harder questions around its greens.
Course Design and Standout Holes
Image: The Eastern Golf Club
The South Course is Eastern’s recognised ranking combination. Its blue layout plays par 72, while black tees stretch beyond 6,500 metres.
The 418-metre third provides an early signature. After a downhill drive, ambitious players face roughly 200 metres across water.
The 176-metre thirteenth plays around a vast beach bunker. A safe miss sits right, but poor distance control still creates difficult recovery work.
The 537-metre fourteenth follows with water narrowing the second-shot zone. Its elevated green also rejects timid or poorly flighted approaches.
The 414-metre eighteenth climbs dramatically toward its green. An approach playing 180 metres can require a 200-metre carry.
Shark Waters adds nine par-three holes through wetlands. It supports juniors, beginners, practice, and members with limited time.
Green Fees and Visitor Access
| Player Type | Green Fee | Access Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Included by category | Normal member booking rights |
| Member guest | Confirm current fee | Invited by member on most days |
| Reciprocal member | Agreement dependent | Letter of introduction required |
| Eligible unintroduced visitor | A$150 | Interstate or international club member |
| Yering Gorge Cottages guest | A$105 | Stay required; tee time subject to availability |
Eligible unintroduced golfers may enquire for Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday through Friday. Public holidays are excluded.
Enquiries must include a current handicap. Golfers not playing with a member should arrive 15–30 minutes early for briefing.
Walking and carts are available, with carts arranged through the golf shop. The club does not publish a standard cart price.
Local Victorian golfers without membership, reciprocity, accommodation, or a host should not assume access. This remains a private club.
- Confirm that your visitor category qualifies.
- Email reception with your handicap and preferred dates.
- Arrange any introduction letter before travelling.
- Reserve carts and club hire in advance.
Course Conditions
Eastern was built for high-quality year-round presentation. Grand Prix couch fairways and bentgrass greens suit firm, controlled approach play.
Membership and Annual Subscriptions
Eastern welcomes new applications across several playing categories. Most applicants need two members as proposer and seconder.
Applicants lacking those contacts may provide two character references. Published 2026/27 prices run through 28 February 2027.
| 2026/27 Category | Annual Fee | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full Seven-Day | A$3,710 | A$3,000 |
| Intermediate Six-Day | A$2,980 | A$3,000 |
| Weekday Five-Day | A$2,185 | A$3,000 |
| Young 30–34 | A$3,152 | A$2,000 |
| Young 25–29 | A$2,225 | A$1,000 |
| Young 21–24 | A$1,670 | Nil |
| Young 18–20 | A$1,485 | Nil |
| Junior 12–17 | A$788 | Nil |
| Junior 8–11 | A$520 | Nil |
Playing members aged 18 or older also pay a A$250 house levy. Golf Australia affiliation costs A$96 for adults.
Full first-year cost therefore reaches approximately A$7,056. That includes annual dues, entrance fee, levy, and adult affiliation.
Weekly competition fees and range balls are included. Members also access fitness, tennis, the clubhouse, and a 120-acre nature reserve.
GA Handicap at The Eastern
Image: The Eastern Golf Club
Eastern provides five tee options across its combinations. Member tees sit near 6,000 metres, while championship setups approach 6,500 metres.
Golf Australia Magazine previously reported men’s slope ratings between 120 and 126. Course configurations and tee combinations can alter current figures.
Use the exact daily card and MiScore listing for your chosen combination. Never transfer one Eastern configuration’s rating to another.
Visit Golf Australia for the national World Handicap System explanation.
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Pennant and Competition Golf
Eastern fields structured men’s, women’s, junior, and veterans’ competition programmes. Weekly competition fees are included within playing memberships.
Three 18-hole combinations improve event capacity and reduce repetition. Shark Waters also supports junior development and short-format golf.
Reciprocal Rights
Eastern members receive access to more than 30 Australian partners and 10 international clubs. Full members also gain selected Greg Norman passport privileges.
Eligible categories include Full, Intermediate, and Weekday memberships. Most visits require a letter of introduction and direct host confirmation.
Eastern also participates in Yarra Courses access. Partners include Kew, Green Acres, Latrobe, Heidelberg, and Rosanna.
Facilities
- Golf: 27 championship holes and nine-hole Shark Waters
- Practice: 300-metre range, grass tees, covered bays, and short-game areas
- Technology: TrackMan, K-Motion, SAM PuttLab, fitting, and indoor teaching
- Clubhouse: rebuilt members’ lounge, dining room, bar, and event spaces
- Recreation: fitness centre, tennis, bushwalking, and nature reserve
- Accommodation: self-contained Yering Gorge Cottages with golf access
A 2023 fire destroyed the original Yering clubhouse. The modern replacement reopened during late 2025 after two years of recovery.
Australian Golf Digest documented that rebuilding story. Current 2026 menus confirm full dining operations in the new facility.
Best Time to Visit
March through May offers stable temperatures, autumn colour, and manageable rainfall. Daytime conditions often range from 15–25°C.
Stay-and-play guests should coordinate lodging and golf together. Access availability matters more than choosing a theoretically perfect weather month.
How to Get There
Eastern sits at 215 Victoria Road in Yering, approximately 50 kilometres north-east of Melbourne CBD.
Driving usually takes 55–75 minutes, depending on traffic. Melbourne Airport is approximately one hour away outside peak periods.
Dress Code
Image: The Eastern Golf Club
Dress code level: Traditional. The club asks every player to review its current dress regulations and course etiquette before arrival.
Wear recognised golf clothing, neat tailored bottoms, and appropriate enclosed shoes. Avoid denim, beachwear, workwear, offensive graphics, and untidy garments.
Private-club standards can vary between course and dining spaces. Confirm current rules with reception before an approved visitor round.
Nearby Alternatives
- Eastwood Golf Club: straightforward public access in the Dandenong foothills
- Yering Meadows Golf Club: 27 holes directly opposite Eastern in Yering
- Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort: three public resort courses beside the Murray
Browse more VIC golf club reviews. Eastern offers the most complete private destination experience among these options.
Who Is This Club For?
Eastern suits committed members, travelling club golfers, strong iron players, families, and Yarra Valley stay-and-play guests.
Multiple tees and Shark Waters broaden ability access. Excellent practice facilities especially reward golfers focused on development.
Casual local visitors and budget membership seekers face clear barriers. The A$3,000 entrance fee makes first-year adult membership expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors play The Eastern Golf Club?
Access is limited. Interstate and international members of recognised golf clubs can enquire for selected days. Reciprocal members and hosted guests also qualify. Yering Gorge Cottages guests receive another route. Local unintroduced public bookings are unavailable. Every request remains subject to availability.
How much are The Eastern Golf Club green fees?
Eligible unintroduced golfers pay A$150 per round. Yering Gorge Cottages guests pay A$105. Reciprocal and member-guest rates depend on their arrangement. Cart hire is available but not publicly priced. Every tee time remains subject to availability. Public holidays are excluded.
How much is The Eastern Golf Club membership?
Full 2026/27 membership costs A$3,710 annually plus a A$3,000 entrance fee. Adults also pay a A$250 house levy and A$96 affiliation. Approximate first-year Full cost is therefore A$7,056 before optional charges. Monthly instalments add A$100 yearly administration for this year.
How many holes does The Eastern Golf Club have?
Eastern has 27 championship holes arranged into South, North, and East 18-hole combinations. It also has Shark Waters, a separate nine-hole par-three course. That creates 36 Greg Norman-designed holes across the Yering property. Each main combination plays to par 72.
What are the best holes at The Eastern Golf Club?
The South Course’s third, thirteenth, fourteenth, and eighteenth stand out. Water shapes the third and fourteenth. A huge beach bunker defines the thirteenth. The long eighteenth finishes with a demanding uphill approach to an elevated green. Wind can intensify every one.
Did The Eastern Golf Club rebuild its clubhouse?
Yes. A fire destroyed the Yering clubhouse during October 2023. The club operated through a lengthy recovery before opening its new state-of-the-art replacement during late 2025. Dining, lounge, bar, and event services are operating in 2026. Current menus confirm normal hospitality service.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Three contrasting 18-hole combinations
- Strategic Greg Norman approach design
- Excellent surfaces and practice facilities
- Impressive rebuilt clubhouse
- Cottages create genuine destination access
What Could Be Better
- No normal local public tee times
- A$150 eligible visitor fee
- A$3,000 adult entrance fee
- Visitor rules require advance coordination
- River setting brings rare flood exposure
Final Verdict
The Eastern Golf Club earns 4.7 out of 5. Its strategic golf, 36-hole variety, practice complex, and rebuilt clubhouse feel genuinely complete.
Access remains the decisive limitation. Eligible visitors receive a premium experience, while casual Melbourne golfers need another option.
Stay at Yering Gorge Cottages for the clearest route. Members gain stronger value through variety, competitions, practice, and reciprocal depth.
See our review methodology for scoring details.
Ranked #7 in our Best Golf Clubs in Australia — see how it compares with the rest of the top 20.
Author Note
I assess clubs through current access, cost, design, and details visitors discover too late. Learn more about our editorial approach.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026. Rates, eligibility, and access can change; confirm directly before travelling.
