A century of golf in the heart of Brisbane
The St Lucia Links course is challenging, yet playable and enjoyable for golfers of all skill levels.
FEW golf courses in Queensland can claim to have stood the test of time quite like St Lucia Golf Links.
In 2026, the iconic Brisbane venue celebrates 100 years of continuous golf, marking a century of sport, community and shared experience on one of the city’s most historic sporting landscapes.
Set on picturesque riverside land just minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, St Lucia Golf Links is more than simply a golf course, it is one of Brisbane’s most beloved recreational destinations, where heritage, hospitality and public access combine to create an experience unlike anywhere else in the region.
The Early Years – Golf begins at St Lucia
The story of St Lucia Golf Links begins in 1925, when the newly formed Indooroopilly Golf Club purchased 124 acres of undulating riverside land at St Lucia through the vision of local councillor Bernard Boultbee.
Scottish golf professional Dan Soutar was commissioned to design the course, with the first nine holes officially opened on July 3, 1926 by Queensland Premier W. McCormack. The second nine followed later that same year.
Prestige came early. World-renowned golf architect Dr Alister MacKenzie, later famed for designing Augusta National, provided design advice during the course’s formative stages, lending rare architectural significance to the young Brisbane layout.
In those early years, electricity had not yet reached the clubhouse. Members celebrated opening day beneath gas lamps, unaware they were beginning a legacy that would span generations.
A scenic and central location near to the Brisbane CBD, St Lucia Links is celebrating 100 years of continuous golf.
A course shaped by community
From its earliest days, St Lucia Golf Links became woven into Brisbane’s social fabric.
Membership grew rapidly, reaching 319 by the end of 1926, and despite the challenges of the Depression and World War II, the course remained a place of resilience, connection and recreation for the local community.
Following Indooroopilly Golf Club’s relocation in the 1980s, the course entered a new chapter when Brisbane City Council assumed stewardship in 1985, transforming it into Brisbane’s second municipal golf course.
This transition preserved the site as a public golfing asset and ensured future generations could enjoy one of Brisbane’s oldest and most significant golf courses.
Today, St Lucia Golf Links stands as:
• One of Brisbane’s earliest surviving golf courses
• The sixth golf course established in Brisbane
• A rare public course with deep architectural and historical pedigree
• A venue that has served millions of golfers, families and visitors across a century
The modern era – Public golf elevated
While its history is rich, St Lucia Golf Links is far from living in the past.
Under the stewardship of Hans Pettersson and Jens Holland, the venue has evolved into one of the most complete public golf and hospitality precincts in Southeast Queensland.
Their philosophy, symbolised by the venue’s famous heritage-listed mango tree is simple: Build strong foundations, nurture people, and create something lasting.
That vision has transformed St Lucia Golf Links into far more than a golf course.
It is now home to:
• An outstanding 18-hole public golf course
• A premium mini golf attraction
• Hillstone St Lucia event venue
• Hundred Acre Bar
• Corporate event and function facilities
• A vibrant food and beverage destination
Why St Lucia Is Brisbane’s best public golf experience?
The Golf Course
St Lucia Golf Links offers a layout unmatched by any municipal course in Brisbane.
Tree-lined fairways, rolling elevation changes, strategic bunkering and the winding Sandy Creek create a course that is:
• Challenging enough for experienced players
• Enjoyable for social golfers
• Walkable and scenic
• Rich in character and strategy
Its central location means golfers can play championship-style golf less than 10 minutes from Brisbane CBD, a rarity in any Australian capital city.
The practice & coaching facilities
St Lucia has developed into one of Brisbane’s premier learning and coaching hubs.
With PGA Professionals, extensive practice on course facilities and one of the busiest coaching programs in Queensland, the venue plays a vital role in growing the game.
Thousands of new golfers have learned the sport at St Lucia, reinforcing its reputation as one of Brisbane’s true golfing gateways.
Mini golf at St Lucia has become one of Brisbane’s most popular family attractions.
Mini Golf – Family entertainment done properly
St Lucia’s mini golf course has become one of Brisbane’s most popular family attractions.
Beautifully landscaped and integrated into the venue grounds, it offers:
• Premium presentation rarely seen in mini golf facilities
• Lush gardens and immersive theming
• A safe, family-friendly environment
• Strong appeal for birthdays, casual outings and tourists
It has helped broaden the venue’s reach beyond traditional golfers and cemented St Lucia as a destination for all ages.
Food, beverage & hospitality
Unlike most public golf courses, St Lucia Golf Links delivers a hospitality offering that rivals dedicated venues.
The combination of Hundred Acre Bar and Hillstone St Lucia provides:
• Elevated casual dining
• Premium bar service
• Large-scale event and wedding capability
• Corporate entertainment spaces overlooking the course
It is one of the few golf venues in Brisbane where guests can enjoy championship golf, mini golf, premium dining and event hospitality all in one location.
The 100 Acre Bar at St Lucia Links offers elevated casual dining, a premium bar service and the capability to hold large-scale events and weddings.
More than a Golf Course
What truly sets St Lucia Golf Links apart is its role in the Brisbane community.
For 100 years it has been:
• A place where beginners first learn the game
• A regular meeting place for friends and families
• A venue for celebrations, corporate days and weddings
• A public green space for recreation and connection
Very few venues can claim to serve so many purposes so well.
Centenary Events
July 3 – Centenary Golf Day Tournament – 4 Ball Ambros Competition
September 18 – Centenary Tournament 2 – 4 Ball Ambrose Competition
November 13 – Friends and Family Fun Day – All-inclusive afternoon BBQ in the Pavillion with drinks, mini golf and fun putting green challenges.
Looking forward to the next century
As St Lucia Golf Links celebrates its centenary in 2026, it does so not merely as a historic venue, but as a thriving, modern facility at the peak of its powers.
Its history is remarkable.
Its setting is unmatched.
Its facilities are among the best of any public golf venue in Queensland.
And under the continued leadership of Hans Pettersson and Jens Holland, its future appears brighter than ever.
Final Word
In a city blessed with great golf courses, St Lucia Golf Links stands alone in offering:
• The richest public golf history in Brisbane
• One of the most scenic and central locations in Queensland
• Exceptional hospitality and event facilities
• A family-friendly mini golf experience second to none
• A welcoming atmosphere that embodies everything great about public golf
For 100 years, Brisbane has come together at St Lucia Golf Links.
And if the last few decades are any indication, the best is still yet to come.
MORE INFORMATION:
St Lucia Golf Links
Carawa St, St Lucia, Brisbane, 4067
Phone: (07) 3870 3433
www.hillstonestlucia.com.au
Shop@stluciagolflinks.com.au
The post 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY: St Lucia Golf Links first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/course-reviews/queensland/100-year-anniversary-st-lucia-golf-links/