The course is built on gently undulating ground adjacent to the Hutt River, with just enough elevation on some holes to provide an additional challenge. The river is in play on the first hole but runs adjacent to 8 holes and many balls end up working their way towards the Wellington harbour.

The existing layout was designed in the mid 1960s by the American Golf Course Architect Commander Harris who later combined with well known golfer Peter Thompson of Australia to design the Wairakei course near Taupo. He worked with the original character of the land to create a picturesque course, where native birds flourish.