Lake Karrinyup Country Club

The large, prestigious clubhouse at Lake Karrinyup, built with washed limestone and hardwood jarrah timberlined walls, sits at the highest elevation of this highly-acclaimed golf course. Spread out beneath the clubhouse, and circling around a good-sized, reed-filled lake (from which the club takes its name), is a wonderful test of golf.

Superbly laid out, immaculately maintained and pleasingly natural on the eye, the course here is well worth trying to play, even though it is generally reserved for members and their guests. The drivable, downhill par-4 1st immediately impresses on you that undulating terrain, tree-lined fairways and large stylish bunkers are integral elements in the course defences.

Distinctively steep-faced, slightly rough-edged bunkering lies in wait along many fairways and around most of the greens, not least at the excellent collection of par-3 holes. At the testing par-3 8th, which measures 220 yards from the tips, water must be crossed first before the rapacious greenside bunkers take over. Beyond the generally good-width fairways, there is an almost tropical lushness to the abundant flora, with a fabulous array of native trees framing the holes.

This is a big dimension, rangy and very natural feeling layout, home to an abundance of wildlife, including kangaroos. Beyond the course boundary, and mainly kept out of view and out of mind, lie some of Perth's wealthier suburbs.