Carrington Resort Golf Course
Karikari Vineyard Bay of Islands New Zealand

Carrington Resort is a 3000 acre Northland estate with four spectacular kilometres of secluded white sand coastline, incorporating a Matt Dye designed tournament-standard 18 hole golf course, an acclaimed vineyard and winery, a working Black Angus beef stud farm, and 900 acres of restored wetlands on site.

Located in Northland’s Karikari Peninsula, Carrington Resort’s world class recreational facilities include a heated infinity swimming pool and spa pool, two championship tennis courts, Olympic standard clay and skeet target shooting range and a gymnasium. A wide range of leisure activities including horse riding, fishing and scuba diving are also easily arranged for guests.

Services and Facilities

  • Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery covering 110 acres
  • Matt Dye designed 18 hole championship Carrington golf course
  • 4 km of secluded white sandy beach and dunes
  • 900 acres of restored wetlands
  • Restaurant & Bar
  • Heated pool (open Labour weekend-Easter)
  • Hot tub
  • Gymnasium
  • Two tennis courts
  • Library
  • Laundry service (regrettably, no dry cleaning)
  • Ample car parking
  • Olympic standard clay and skeet target shooting range
  • Massage therapists (on call)
  • Babysitting services
  • Lodge rooms open out onto covered verandahs connecting to restaurant, library and members' bar
  • High speed internet and computer available in the library

Room Features

Carrington Resort provides both lodge and villa accommodation. Lodge accommodation include ten spacious, air conditioned bedrooms with private bathrooms, each containing a California King sized bed and satellite TV.

Each Lodge room opens onto a wide verandah with views to the ocean, golf course or native bush and vineyard. The lodges are connected by verandah walkways to the library, restaurant and guests' lounge.

Lodge room pictures >>>

Villa Features

The Carrington Villas offer self-contained and fully appointed accommodation. On the ground floor a central wood burning fireplace graces the living and dining area, and a verandah overlooks the golf course and Pacific ocean. In addition, a fully equipped kitchen, toilet, satellite television, air conditioning and private garage are also housed on the ground floor.

The second floor has a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and balcony, also with sweeping views of the golf course and Pacific ocean, a second double bedroom and bathroom (twins available), and a single bedroom.
Villas accommodate up to five persons and include the use of all Carrington facilities.

Villa pictures and floor plans >>>

Restaurant & Bar

Carrington Resort follows a "nature to plate" culinary philosophy, creating the freshest dishes in a gourmet but relaxed dining room. Executive Chef Scott Fraser and his team create menus with a focus on food grown on and around the Carrington Estate (Black Angus beef, native eel, honey, vegetables and fresh herbs) as well as a showcase to the abundance of fine produce available in the Far North.

This includes scallops from the beds of Karikari Beach, oysters from Rangaunu Harbour, mussels from Houhora Harbour, cheese from Mahoe and Puketona, fresh fish from Mangonui, fresh saffron from the Hokianga and many other small organic producers. This culinary feast is complemented by the award-winning wines of Karikari Estate, our own vineyard and winery.
Carrington's Restaurant is open daily and reservations are essential. We also kindly request appropriate resort wear.

Golf Course

Carrington Resort golf course is sited so as to provide a variety of vistas to the golfer. The course is located between sweeping ocean views to the north and east, and hill side vineyards of Karikari Estate to the south. The Black Angus herd of Carrington Farms grazes on gently rolling pasture lands to the east and west of the golf course. To the north are wetlands, planted with native trees and flora and containing a large lake which is home to many native birds.
Spectacular views of the golf course, wetlands, beach, and ocean beyond are visible from the clubhouse and lounge complex. The clubhouse is sited on a high ridge in the middle of the golf course in order to take full advantage of the unique combination of vistas.

The tournament standard 18 hole Carrington Golf Course was inaugurated on 15 December 2003 and designed by American golf course designer Matt Dye.

The course is 6417 metres (7267 yards) in length, par 72, and encompasses a variety of terrains from rolling vales to challenging water holes. The course is completely irrigated. The course is designed to accommodate golfers of all abilities and offers a great variety of hole play, from one of the longest par 5's in New Zealand 569 metres (599 yards), to one of the shortest par 3's at 113 metres (132 yards) over water.

Golf course layout >>>

Karikari Estate Winery

Northland is the birthplace of New Zealand wine, with Reverend Samuel Marsden having planted the first vines in Northland in 1819. Just under 200 years later Karikari Estate Vineyard was planted to become New Zealand 's northernmost winery and vineyard.

Located on the beautiful Karikari Peninsula it overlooks the blue Pacific Ocean towards North Cape. Karikari Estate's philosophy is to produce the highest qaulity wine by using the highest quality grapes we can grow.

The first vines were planted in 1998 and production commenced with its first vintage in 2003. Karikari Estate boasts some 40 hectares of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc, Malbec, Pinotage, Chardonnay and Viognier. Having earned numerous medals and glowing reviews, Karikari Estate is well on the path to become a major player in the New Zealand wine market.

The state of the art winery was completed in 2004. Ben Dugdale who has worked as winemaker/assistant wine maker at Coopers Creek, Dry River and Matakana Estate joined Karikari Estate as their chief winemaker in June 2004.

Carrington Farm

Carrington Farms is a beef fattening unit resting between 4 kilometres of secluded white sand beach, 900 acres of restored natural wetlands and the hillside vineyards of New Zealand's northern most winery, Karikari Estate.

Carrington Farms is committed to maintaining the natural environment and eco systems which are a part of this 3000 acre property, including an extensive restoration of the wetlands which has been planted with 10,000 native trees and bushes and preservation of the extensive beach property.

In addition to the immediately adjacent, well known Tokerau Beach's bathing and boating facilities, Carrington Farms is situated on 4 km (2.4 miles) of the secluded Karikari Beach, considered one of the most pristine, beautiful beaches in New Zealand. The powdery white sand is highlighted by spectacular dunes, some 15 metres high and emerald green surf blending into a deep blue ocean. Dolphin and whale sightings are common.

Carrington Farms is actively involved in programs designed to ecologically preserve the beach and wetlands and to enhance the bird life of both the dunes and wetlands area. The restored wetlands area is one of the largest privately owned area of its type and is home to thousands of birds of numerous species. This provides serious bird watchers with a unique locale for observing both land and sea bird life.

Activities

Carrington Resort offers a range of Northland activities for guests to enjoy, from relaxation to adventure.

Golf
Carrington boasts a tournament quality, 18-hole golf course, designed by Matt Dye. The course is surrounded by sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the vineyards of Karikari Estate, the northernmost winery in New Zealand.

Skeet and Trap Shooting
Carrington has one of the finest private ranges in New Zealand of Olympic quality range. We can arrange instruction and group lessons starting at $85 per person (minimum 2 people).

Horseback Riding
We have four horses on the estate, depending on your riding ability - two Ferraris and two Volkswagens! We can arrange lessons or guided treks. Morning or afternoon rides are $85 per person (minimum 2 people).

Swimming
As well as the outdoor infinity pool (closed in winter) and heated spa, Carrington is surrounded by superb beaches that are safe for swimming and wonderful for walking. Karikari Beach has spectacular, 15 metre sand dunes and Maitai Bay is less than 5 minutes away.

Canoeing
Take one of our "Canadians" out on the waterways of the Estate, complimentary to all guests.

Tennis
There are two championship tennis courts with artificial grass surfaces, also complimentary.

Petanque
Our court looks out over the Pacific Ocean.

Scuba Diving
There are certified dive instructors on the peninsula who will take you to some of the most breathtaking dive spots in the world. Introductory lessons with a pool dive can be arranged at the resort.

Boat Excursions
Take a trip around Doubtless Bay, arriving at Mangonui Fish Shop for lunch and an hour to explore this beautiful historic town. Many local and further expeditions available on request.

Walking/Hiking
There are many trails on the Estate, vineyard, beaches and the peninsula. We can arrange for escorted, more challenging hikes.

Wine Tasting/Winery Tour
Join us for an informative tour of Karikari Estate Vineyard and Winery, see the winery in action and chat with our winemaker.

Massage/Beauty Therapy
Carrington has both beauty and massage therapists on call. Please ask about the available services when making your reservations.

Bird Watching
Carrington's environmental restoration work to protect the sand dunes and regenerate the 900 acres of wetlands adjacent to the golf course is attracting back native land and sea birds. The New Zealand Dotteral, a threatened species, is thriving on Karikari Beach. The wetlands and beaches offer wonderful opportunities for observing birds in the wild.

Mountain Bikes
Explore Carrington Farms and Karikari Peninsula on a mountain bike. Bikes are complimentary for guests' use; our only request is that they are not used on the golf course.

Picnic Hampers
Custom made picnics with a choice of beverages including our award wining wines from Karikari Estate are available to enjoy on the secluded Karikari Beach, up to Karikari Estate Vineyards or a quiet spot on Carrington Farms.

Fishing
The waters of the Far North offer some of New Zealand's best game, deep sea and land based fishing. Most of the world records for striped marlin of varying classes have been established off the tip of the Karikari Peninsula. Carrington arranges deep sea fishing expeditions with experienced local captains. Surf casting from the beach is also popular. Our chefs are happy to cook any catch of the day.