What it is
13th Beach Golf Links sits on Barwon Heads Road, just before you reach Barwon Heads on the Bellarine. It's 45 holes on about 250 acres: two 18-hole championship courses (the Beach Course and the Creek Course) plus a 9-hole Short Course. There's a driving range, a restaurant and on-site lodges as well.
The land was an asparagus farm before it was a golf course. The Beach Course opened in 2001, the Creek Course followed in 2004, the lodges in 2019 and the Short Course in 2021. Since 2013 it's hosted the men's and women's Vic Open in the same week, with men and women playing the same courses at the same time for equal prize money. The 2027 Vic Open is on 21 to 24 January 2027, so expect the courses to be busy that week.
For most golfers staying in Torquay, it's the big one. It's also a member-owned club, and that shapes how you get a tee time. More on that below.
The three courses
The Beach Course
Designed by Tony Cashmore and opened in 2001. The club lists it as a par 72 of 6,356 metres, laid out links-style over rolling dunes. Golf Australia magazine's 2026 panel called it "fun, spectacular and hard to fault" and flagged the wind, which is fair warning. One judge put it as their number one links choice on the Bellarine.
The Creek Course
A collaboration between Sir Nick Faldo and Tony Cashmore, opened in 2004. It's a par 72 of 6,287 metres on the club's figures, with wide fairways and undulating greens. Golf Australia's judges described it as rewarding precision and course management, with fairways that funnel into well-defended greens. The restaurant looks out over it.
The Short Course
Nine holes, also by Tony Cashmore, opened in 2021. The club gives it as par 27 and 1,347 metres, with tees from 105 to 188 metres. It's open to everyone, from people having their first go to low markers wanting a quick hit, and the club lists it as open seven days, 7am to 7pm. Handy for a late arvo with mixed abilities, or for the kids.
Where they rank
In Australian Golf Digest's Top 100 for 2026/27, the Beach Course is 39th and the Creek is 73rd. In Golf Australia magazine's Top 100 for 2026, the Beach is 31st and the Creek is 55th. Both lists also credit Darius Oliver with ongoing design work on the two courses.
Getting a tee time
This is the bit to understand before you plan a trip around it. On the club's booking page, priority tee times on the Beach and Creek courses go to members, their guests and people staying in the 13th Beach lodges. Online tee times open three months ahead. Depending on demand, the club releases more tee times three days before the day, and it says public access is subject to availability.
So if you're not staying on site, the practical approach is to keep checking, especially inside that three-day window. Have a back-up in mind. The Sands and RACV Torquay are both minutes from the house if 13th Beach doesn't come through.
How to book
Book online through the MiClub calendar linked from 13thbeachgolf.com, or call the Golf Shop on (03) 5254 2922. Bookings are only confirmed once they've been paid for. The club doesn't state a handicap requirement on its website.
Green fees
There's no fixed price list on the website. Prices show in the booking calendar instead, and they can change from day to day. When we checked in October 2026, the calendar showed $175 for 18 holes on the Beach or Creek and $17.50 for the Short Course. Check before you book.
What to wear
The Beach and Creek courses have the strictest standard: proper golf clothes, so collared shirts or golf tops and tailored shorts, trousers, skirts or skorts. No denim, sleeveless tops, tracksuits, workwear, thongs or slides. The range, Short Course and clubhouse are smart casual, but you'll need closed, grippy shoes on the range and Short Course.
Carts and hire
The website doesn't list cart or club hire, so ask the Golf Shop when you book if you need either.
The range, lessons and the clubhouse
Driving range
The range is open to everyone, no membership or round needed. It has TrackMan with screens in the bays for swing analysis. The club lists winter hours of 7am to 5:30pm and summer hours of 6:30am to 9pm, daylight only, because there are no lights. Ball prices aren't on the website.
Coaching
The 13th Beach Golf Academy does coaching, game analysis and club fitting. If someone in your group wants a lesson before the big round, it's worth asking.
Food and drink
The 13th Beach Restaurant overlooks the Creek Course, with tables inside and out on the alfresco area. The club advertises a $35 steak night on Wednesdays. The home page lists the venue as open seven days, 7am to 6pm.
The lodges
There are 20 lodge rooms on site, a mix of studios (each with a patio over the Beach Course and Lake Murtnaghurt) and two-bedroom suites. Stay and Play packages include breakfast and guaranteed tee time access. If you only care about golf and want certainty on the tee sheet, that's the trade-off to weigh.
Photo: Gary Lisbon,
courtesy of Visit Victoria 
Photo: Cameron Murray/Assemble Agency,
courtesy of Visit Victoria Getting there from Holyday House
It's about 20 minutes from the house in north Torquay. Head east across towards the Bellarine; the club's at 1732 Barwon Heads Road. Allow a bit longer on summer weekends, when the Bellarine roads get busy.
There's off-street parking at the house for several cars, plus room for a boat or trailer, which helps if your group is arriving in a few vehicles with clubs. If you'd like somewhere to keep the bags between rounds, ask us about storing clubs when you enquire.
Making a day of it
You're already most of the way to Barwon Heads, so it's easy to keep going into the village afterwards. And if you're putting together a proper golf trip, the Bellarine's other well-known courses are close by. Barwon Heads Golf Club is a few minutes further on, and Lonsdale Links and Curlewis aren't far either.
Back in Torquay for dinner? Our Torquay restaurants guide has the options. For a non-golf afternoon, the wineries guide covers the cellar doors on both sides of Geelong.
13th Beach FAQ
Can the public play 13th Beach?
Yes, subject to availability. Members, their guests and lodge guests get priority on the Beach and Creek courses, and the club releases more tee times three days before the day depending on demand. The Short Course and the range are open to everyone.
Which course should I play, the Beach or the Creek?
The Beach Course ranks higher in both the Australian Golf Digest 2026/27 and Golf Australia 2026 lists, and it's the links-style one in the dunes. The Creek has wider fairways. If you can get both, play both. If you can only get one, take whichever has a time.
How far ahead can I book?
Online tee times open three months ahead, though priority goes to members and lodge guests. Keep checking in the three days before you want to play, when extra times can be released.
Is the Short Course good for beginners and kids?
That's who it's for, as well as better players. It's nine holes, par 27, with tees from 105 to 188 metres. You'll need closed, grippy shoes, but otherwise casual clothes are fine.
Can I just hit balls at the range?
Yes. The range is open to all, with no membership or round needed. It's daylight hours only, as there are no lights.
How far is it from Holyday House?
About 20 minutes' drive from the house in north Torquay, along Barwon Heads Road.
This is an independent guide; green fees, booking rules and visitor times change, so check with 13th Beach Golf Links before you go. For the rest of the region's courses, see our Torquay golf guide. If you're bringing a group, the group accommodation guide is worth a read too. And when you're ready to lock in a base for the trip, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 15 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- 2027 Vic Open Golf Tournament — Visit Geelong Bellarine
- About Us — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Golf bookings (MiClub public calendar) — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Short Course — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Range — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Dress Code Policy — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Stay & Play — 13th Beach Golf Links
- Australia's Top 100 Golf Courses 2026/27 — Australian Golf Digest
- RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Courses for 2026 — Golf Australia magazine