The Cliffs’ coastal holes frame Kangaroo Island course preview

Footage from a February preview of The Cliffs Kangaroo Island shows the coastal setting of Darius Oliver’s South Australian course as the property works toward opening in 2026. Rick Golfs shared the video in an October 11 post.

The video accompanies Rick’s account of sandy ground, natural movement and broad golf holes. He describes kangaroos around the property and praises Oliver, the co-designer of Cape Wickham on Tasmania’s King Island.

Oliver’s own explanation of the design gives the cliff footage some detail. He identifies five holes running directly along the cliff tops: the second, third, eighth, 14th and 15th. Three others play toward the coast. The architect describes a more linear coastline and higher cliffs than Cape Wickham, with sandy ground inland providing dune corridors and natural valleys.

The inland holes are part of the attraction, too. Oliver singles out the long par-three sixth and the short par-four tenth, whose fairway occupies a natural amphitheatre. His description also includes a short par-five ninth and a drivable 16th. The routing moves golfers between the exposed coastal holes and different landforms away from the ocean.

Golf Course Architecture’s July issue adds the development history through interviews with Oliver and developer Sam Atkins. The routing received approval in 2017, with bushfires and Covid restrictions delaying construction. Ground was broken in December 2022. Atkins told the magazine that early visitors had been as interested in the inland meadow holes as the coastal ones.

Oliver also discussed the project with Nick O’Hern and Mark Allen in a July episode of Talk Birdie To Me. The interview is dated context for the course taking shape, not an announcement made alongside Rick’s October post.

Opening plans still require care. The course’s current official homepage says “Opening 2026.” Golf Course Architecture reported an October target in July; a more recent trade update from local tour operator Exceptional Kangaroo Island says November. The official homepage does not give a specific opening day. Anyone planning a visit should confirm playing availability directly with the course.

Sources

The Cliffs design · Golf Course Architecture: July 2026 Cliffs interviews · Official current homepage · Exceptional Kangaroo Island: current trade update