The Cliffs, Kangaroo Island – South Australia

Even before it's built, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island seems destined to be compared to Cape Wickham in Tasmania. On a superficial level the comparison makes sense, given the design / shapers involved, the use of coastal crown land and the fact that both are on remote Australian islands.

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In truth, however, Wickham and The Cliffs KI are very different.

 

Where the coastline at Cape Wickham is jagged and irregular, and varies from rocky clifftop to beachside sand dunes, on Kangaroo Island the coastline is more linear and the cliffs more elevated and constantly dramatic.

 

Importantly, the tops of the cliffs are sandy, and ideal for golf – resembling in some ways the rolling Cups country of the Mornington Peninsula, with its dune corridors and natural golfing valleys.

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While the holes that run directly along the cliff tops (2, 3, 8, 14 and 15) and the three that run toward the cliffs (1, 7 and 13) will generate the most attention, some of my favourites are away from the coastline. These include the long par three 6th and short par four 10th, with its big natural amphitheatre fairway, which were as easy to build as any holes in the country. The short par five 9th, drivable 16th and wildly undulating 18th are also potential classics.

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Kangaroo Island is an iconic tourism destination, that all Australians should visit at least once in their lifetime. We hope to do this incredible island, and this beautiful property, justice with the construction of our holes at The Cliffs KI.

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