The fiercely private and highly ranked course is a veritable white whale for local golfers and many who venture to Australia for a once in a lifetime golf trip. The course forms a tiny part of what is a sizeable station at Ellerston, sitting within a glorious parcel of Australian country in the Upper Hunter Valley. The property is several hours drive north of Sydney, with a National Park nearby and Pages Creek meandering through the station and the golf course itself. From the origins of the layout and the difficulty of the course, to the standout holes, grasses, terrain, and scarcity of invitations to play. All of it is covered.

Few will ever get to play Ellerston, and those who are lucky enough to visit no doubt have memories to last a lifetime. The experience of visiting the property is a one of a kind, as was Kerry Packer - the Australian billionaire, media colossus and owner of the Ellerston estate. A larger than life figure who enjoys legendary status in Australia, his course is one of a kind, and in several ways a reflection of Kerry Packer himself. Unashamedly tough, with a dramatic flare here and there, and possessing a distinctive Australian charm. The course designed by Bob Harrison and Greg Norman is dramatic, and as one would expect, immaculately conditioned.  It is unique in Australian golf, as we hope our discussion shows.

This flyover is still on the internet somehow – a hole by hole look at Ellerston. It is a great compliment to the discussion of many holes in this episode  – check it out before it gets scrubbed forever. https://vimeo.com/144553100

A look at Kerry Packer when he appeared before a Senate committee dealing with media ownership, as mentioned in the episode.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVIOmU3l0Zo

We also encourage you to take a look at the latest range from Angus and Grace Go Golfing (angusandgracegogolfing.com) – or follow them on Insta (@angusandgracegogolfing) . If you’re in Sydney call in to the store at 39 William Street Paddington. You’ll love it – we guarantee. We thank AAGGG for their support of the podcast. We couldn’t hope for a better partner.

Images discussed in the podcast can be found on our Instagram page (@AustralianGolfPassport) and supporting chat on Twitter (@ausgolfpassport).  Credit to Darius Oliver, David Scaletti and Greg Norman Golf Course Design for several of the images (as indicated).

Podcast intro music - Nbhd Nick / Stop Playing With Me - Instrumental / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com