New Australian Openings in 2026

I really enjoyed the podcast with Garrett and Matt about the new openings that they are most looking forward to in 2026. As someone based in Scotland with regular travel to Melbourne, I was excited to hear them mention both National Long Island and the innovative plans OCM have for it, as well as Old Petty.

In addition to those, I wanted to mention two others that I'm excited to see in 2026 when I'm back in Australia for work (and golf). First is the opening of the Cliffs on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, a few hours south of Adelaide. It's a Darius Oliver primary design that is set for preview play soon with a full open later in the year. Darius was involved in Cape Wickham, but this looks like a less dramatic piece of land but one that still has loads of potential playing above the cliffs with views out south to ocean. Unlike 7 Mile Beach, they've been pretty minimal in their social media so it's hard to know exactly how the course will play.

Speaking of 7 Mile Beach, while it technically opened in late 2025, it's also worth a mention. I was lucky to play it with Mike Clayton a few days before opening, and it promises to be a must see for anyone travelling to Australia. The routing is exceptional, the land dramatic, and the course plays a bit more like an old world links than those at Barnbougle. I particularly enjoyed some of the less dramatic holes, including 6, 11, and 16 down near the water. They also have some interesting ideas like the two greens on 8, or the various tees that radically change the holes like on 2, 9, and 17.

Finally, a word for the renovated or restored Huntingdale by OCM. I was able to get a tour from the GM in December. The land is a bit more undulating than its neighbour Metro, although not as much as Vic, RM, or PK. The wallaby grass gives the course a really unique look in the Sandbelt, and it should return to some of its earlier glory. yYou an see more on my instagram @golfing_scotland about both Huntingdale and 7 Mile.