Mini golf is an often overlooked, yet incredibly fun, activity for everyone of all ages and abilities, and for Australians, you can find some of the best mini golf courses in Melbourne.
Tiger Woods you are not required to be, since you won’t exactly be hitting balls several hundred yards, but rather just a couple of metres as you compete to record hole in ones and birdies in a valiant attempt to outclass your mates.
And, rather than having to navigate water and sand hazards, you’re more likely to encounter windmills, ramps and chutes. It all makes for a thoroughly enjoyable game (except of course for when there is congestion waiting to tee off) and one that everyone needs to try at least once.
Fortunately for Melburnians, there are a number of mini golf courses in and around the city to take advantage of, each offering its own selection of obstacles, waiting to test your club-handling prowess. We’ve rounded up the very best mini golf courses for you to try this weekend.
Albert Park Mini Golf
Queens Road & Lakeside Drive, Melbourne, 3004
Situated at the iconic sporting complex where the Formula One is held, is Albert Park Mini Golf. This 18-hole course employs a farm theme, so you’ll be having to navigate cows, horses and pigs. But while such niceties could be considered more child-appropriate, it’s still a fun place to take a date or head to with some mates and with it being fully licensed, drinks are definitely on the cards.
Holey Moley Golf Club
590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000
Holey Moley should need no introduction as it’s perhaps the leader when it comes to mini golf in Australia. There are several venues in and around the CBD, so finding a venue near you shouldn’t be a problem.
The main, central CBD spot serves up 27 holes of putting good fun and groups are easily catered for and most certainly encouraged. A fully stocked bar (and a karaoke room) will ensure your entire night is taken care of.
Glowgolf
The District Docklands, Shop 35 Star Crescent, Docklands, 3008
It’s destination Docklands for this unique mini golf course as it turns the lights down low to provide 18 holes of glow in the dark golfing madness, offering up a totally new experience. Glowgolf is also where you’ll find ‘Le Bar European’, which at just four guests maximum, could be the smallest bar in Australia, if not the world.
Sandy Mini Golf
18/20 Wangara Road, Sandringham, 3191
Sandy by name but not necessarily by nature, this miniature golf course in Sandringham presents you with 18-holes that utilise actual landscaped turf, as opposed to something synthetic. Each green has three holes too, to cater for various skill levels and ages (not necessarily correlated) and to help reduce congestion, Sandy puts a restriction of six players per group.
Wetlands Mini Golf ‘n’ Games
703 Wellington Road, Wheelers Hill, 3150
A short drive out of the CBD to Wheelers Hill will bring you to Wetland Golf ‘n’ Games. This family-friendly entertainment complex offers two 18-hole mini golf courses, one outside and one undercover, with both being more than capable of challenging players of all ages.
Latrobe Golf Park
906 Plenty Road, Bundoora, 3083
Noted for its well-specced driving range, Latrobe Golf Park has an equally impressive mini golf course. Or rather, courses, as there are two themed courses: water and desert, designed to put your awareness and golfing abilities to the test.
With the whole complex being so large, the minigolf holes are bigger than what you’d find at a CBD location, for example. Not only does this mean holes take longer, but the obstacles can be more inventive. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Sidetracked Entertainment Centre
370 Huntingdale Road, Oakleigh South, 3167
Not content with offering guests go-karting, laser tag, dodgems and 10-pin bowling, Sidetracked Entertainment Centre also offers up a fully 18-hole medieval themed mini golf course. Not one to make things easy, Sidetracked has implemented some optical illusions around the course that will test your wits and to provide an all-ages challenge.
Dingley Village Adventure Golf
Cnr Centre Dandenong Road and Lower Dandenong Rd, Dingley Village, 3172
At Dingley Village Adventure Golf, you have two mini-golf courses to choose from: The Chasm – an indoor multi-level building that features a water wheel, ideal for rainy days or The Creek, an outdoor course that surrounds a gorgeous lake and waterfall.
These mini golf courses are uniquely designed to cater to every skill set while showcasing a range of different sites, so you’ll never get bored while you make your way around.
Yarra Bend Mini Golf
Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield, 3078
This mini golf course is conveniently positioned around the Yarra River, just a few kilometres away from the CBD. They offer two 18-hole mini golf courses named ‘West Course’ and ‘East Course’ after the famous Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
If you’re looking for a beginners course, the ‘East’ is your best bet of the two and will take about 45-60 minutes in groups of four to finish playing a round of 18 holes.
Maroondah Golf Park
363 Maroondah Hwy, Chirnside Park, 3116
Along with offering an expansive golf course pandering to more advanced golfers, Maroondah Golf Park also provides 18-hole (The Lodge Course) and a 36-hole (The Lakes course) mini golf courses for those who want to compete on a smaller scale.
The smaller Lodge Course features water and air effects to challenge each player. Meanwhile, The Lakes Course is a little more elaborate with its extensive landscape and winding paths, creeks, water wheels and downward spirals, adding a little spice to the game.