Troy and Matt are set to bring mini golf back to the Bay when their new venue opens in 2026. Photo: Supplied.
The beach, movies … and mini golf? A new attraction is bringing the sport back to the Bay.
Troy and Matt (last names withheld on request) said the sale of a Batemans Bay jungle gym gave them the perfect space for their idea.
Their new venture, Nice Putt Mini Golf, is expected to open in early 2026 (depending on final approvals) in the building previously used by Kidz Biz Playhouse and Cafe on Clyde Street.
The pair operate Batemans Bay Ice Creamery, but turned their eyes to a family-friendly sporting adventure to bring mini golf back to their town.
“We’ve only got the movies, essentially, and the beaches … There’s only so many times you can go to the beach – and it’s not weatherproof,” Troy said.
“There was an opportunity when Kidz Biz was selling up to take over that space and put an indoor family-friendly [business]. … We couldn’t let it slip away.”
Matt said their mini golf course would have a “timeless theme” that drew from the town’s history, complete with a river running through the course.
(Think trying to hit a hole-in-one around the old Batemans Bay Bridge, the Tollgate Islands, Pooh Bear’s Corner on the Clyde Mountain (and the mountain itself), the recently restored dolphin clock and the annual whale migration.)
“Everybody can come in and enjoy a bit of history of Batemans Bay, but have a bit of competition between friends and family on the course, and then sit down.
“We have a full kitchen going in.”
They also plan to keep everyone fed – with “pizza and burgers and all the things” – in addition to serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from their bar.
The pair have been putting in long hours preparing the course.
Troy and Matt say their mini golf course comes with a twist. Image: Nice Putt Mini Golf Facebook.
Matt said it meant their days started at “stupid o’clock, so to speak”, as they split their days working at the Ice Creamery and Nice Putt.
To prepare for opening, their work has included removing Kidz Biz equipment (and sending it off to a new home in a different business), painting their venue (all 370 sqm of it), designing the golf course, adding new walls and redoing the bathrooms.
“We’ve been very hands-on with anything that we’ve done in the Ice Creamery and stuff like that as well. If it’s something we can do, we will,” he said.
“We bought a business and that created a blank space. That means ripping up everything that was in there to give us that blank canvas and then doing the painting and whatever else we could.”
When their business opens, it will bring mini golf back to Batemans Bay.
Batemans Bay Mini Golf Centre, which was located at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Beach Road, closed in 2020 after more than 18 years of operation.
Troy said they wanted to tempt visitors and locals alike inside for a mini golf game, by providing something different to other businesses in town.
“We’ve got a lot of tourism in Batemans Bay – it’s a major industry town here,” he said.
“It’ll be good to promote Batemans Bay as a whole.”
Nice Putt Mini Golf is set to open at 2/11 Clyde Street, Batemans Bay in early 2026. It will be open from 10 am until late.
