Araluen Country Club

Araluen Country Club sits in the Perth Hills approximately 30 kilometers east of Perth's city center, occupying elevated terrain that distinguishes it from the predominantly flat sandbelt courses closer to the coast. The course was designed by Michael Coate and opened in the early 1990s, carved through natural bushland that characterizes much of the Darling Scarp region. The property's rolling topography and native vegetation create a playing environment quite different from Perth's traditional layouts, with elevation changes and tree-lined corridors defining the routing. The design takes advantage of the hillside setting, with several holes playing across slopes and offering views over the surrounding forest and valleys. Coate's routing incorporates the natural contours rather than extensive earthmoving, resulting in uneven lies and approach shots that require careful club selection and trajectory control. The native jarrah and marri trees frame many holes, and the course retains a bushland character that reflects its location on the edge of the Perth metropolitan area. Araluen operates as a member-owned country club with facilities that include tennis courts and social amenities beyond golf. The club serves families and golfers from Perth's eastern suburbs and hill communities, maintaining a regional rather than metropolitan profile. The course provides a contrast to the more famous sand-based layouts in Perth's western corridor, offering hill country golf in a setting that remains relatively secluded despite its proximity to the city.