Once just another council track, Freeway Golf Course has had a serious glow-up. A full redesign, brand-new greens, and those sharp timber-faced bunkers have transformed it into one of Melbourne’s most talked-about public courses. Best of all, you don’t need a collared shirt — or a second mortgage — to grab a tee time.
This is the new face of golf in Australia: affordable, inclusive, and still capable of punishing you if you miss your line.
How do you get to Freeway Golf Course from Melbourne?
Clue’s in the name. Jump on the Eastern Freeway, take the Bulleen Road exit, and you’re basically there. Free parking’s on site, buses run nearby, and if you Uber it from the city you’ll be on the first tee before your mates in the west have found a park at Mt Derrimut.
Nestled against the Yarra River, the course somehow manages to feel leafy and serene despite being right next to a freeway. Ducks, parrots, even the odd kangaroo — it’s Melbourne suburban golf with a side of nature doco.
Freeway Back Story
Freeway first opened in the late ’70s as a council-owned track, but by 2020 it needed a serious revamp. Enter Pacific Coast Design, who rebuilt the whole thing after the North East Link project carved out some land.
The result? A tight, tree-lined 18-hole par-67 parkland layout with brand-new Santa Ana couch fairways, slick bentgrass greens, and timber-faced bunkers (yep, the steep wooden kind you see on old-school UK links). Fun fact: Freeway was the first course in Australia to get these bunkers — they look mint and play nasty if you’re in the wrong spot.
They also planted 5,000 native shrubs and 100+ trees, built eco-friendly paths out of recycled tyres, and set the place up as a genuine community green space. Freeway reopened in 2022 and quickly shot up the ranks of Melbourne’s best public golf experiences.
Freeway Golf Course: Layout and Vibe
Don’t be fooled by the short scorecard (just under 4,800 metres from the tips) — Freeway is short but spicy. Fairways are narrow, greens are small, and there’s water lurking on the back nine courtesy of the Yarra.
Highlights include:
- 5th hole (Par 4, uphill grind): 359 metres that play longer than they look.
- 9th hole (Par 4 dogleg): Elevated tee, tight landing, and a raised green with a mean front bunker.
- 10th hole (Par 4): Tee shot must carry a creek — chunky mishits beware.
- 11th hole (Par 4, 377m): A corridor of doom with water left and right.
- 13th hole (Dogleg left): Fairway kicks everything sideways if you don’t find the slot.
It’s the kind of course where you’ll hit irons off most tees, curse your way through a few chip-and-putt scrambles, and still walk off saying “let’s do it again.” (Yes, it’s basically the real-life version of our Iron Off The Tee anthem.)
The vibe? Super chilled. There’s no dress code (seriously, the staff wear hoodies), you can bring your dog on a leash, and they’ll even let sixballs out when it’s quiet. Music on carts is fine too. It’s golf stripped of snobbery, built on the simple idea: have fun and respect the course.
What does it cost to play Freeway Golf Course?
Here’s where Freeway shines. Standard 18-hole rounds are about $40 midweek and $45 on weekends — some of the best value you’ll find this close to the city.
- 18 Holes: $41.50 weekdays | $44.50 weekends
- 9 Holes: $31 weekdays | $33 weekends
- Twilight (after 5pm): $30 flat rate
- Concessions: Discounts for students/seniors midweek
Add $50 if you want a cart with built-in GPS, or roll a pull buggy for $6. Club hire’s available if you rock up empty-handed.
No memberships here — Freeway is pay-to-play, 7 days a week. If you want comp golf and a GA handicap, you can join one of the resident clubs (Camberwell GC, Harp GC, or Camberwell Ladies GC) and still just pay your regular green fee.
How to play Freeway Golf Course with Future Golf
Freeway is on the Future Golf roster, so you can use your membership here — but honestly, this isn’t where you’ll squeeze the best dollar value. We usually recommend saving your Future Golf rounds for the higher-priced resort and private courses where green fees can sting. That said, if you’re local and want to make the most of your membership, Freeway is an easy, affordable way to get a game in without the hassle.
Facilities and Clubhouse
The clubhouse is exactly what you want at a public track: laid-back, functional, and serving up cold beers post-round. The pro shop is stacked with gear (and promises to price-match big retailers), plus there’s a Golden Tee arcade machine if you want to play digital golf while your mates finish their round.
A café bar handles the essentials — coffee, sandwiches, and frothies on tap. Practice-wise you’ve got a decent putting green, a short-game area, and a couple of warm-up nets. No full driving range here, but the PGA pros run lessons, clinics, and junior programs on the course itself.
Who’s It For?
- Beginners: Friendly length, cheap twilight rounds, and a no-judgement vibe.
- Low markers: Test your accuracy and short game — no driver heroics needed.
- Social golfers: Sixballs, music, and dogs welcome. Enough said.
- Families & juniors: Kids play for as little as $2 in junior programs, and the whole setup feels approachable.And for the record — shooting 99 on a par-67 doesn’t mean you “broke 100.” Looking at you, Slugha.
And for the record — shooting 99 on a par-67 doesn’t mean you “broke 100.” Looking at you, Slugha.
Is Freeway Golf Course worth playing?
Absolutely. Freeway has reinvented itself as the people’s course in Melbourne’s east. The conditions are private-club good, the design keeps you honest, and the atmosphere is the antithesis of uptight golf.
It’s not a resort epic like Moonah Links, but for $40 and a 15-minute drive from the CBD, Freeway might be the best value round in the state.
So next time you’re cruising the Eastern, pull off, grab a tee time, and see if you can keep it in play down those narrow fairways. And if you birdie the 11th, we expect a screenshot.
Until next time — grip it, sip it, and leave the collared shirts at home.