The land now known as Gulf Harbour was first cleared for farming in the 1860s by Ranulph Dacre, later passing to the Shakespear family. Jack Hobbs, their farm manager, eventually acquired the land and farmed it, lending the area its original name, Hobbs Bay, until its sale in the early 1970s triggered development.

Developer Anthony Wood & Associates designed the village as a New Zealand take on Portofino, Italy, with Mediterranean styling, a focal point clock tower and rotunda. Shops followed across Gulf Harbour Drive, and in 1997 Gulf Harbour Country Club opened.

The Country Club quickly made its mark, hosting the 1998 World Cup of Golf, with stars including Sir Nick Faldo and John Daly tackling the challenging Robert Trent Jones Jr course. It went on to host the 2005/06 New Zealand Opens and regular professional tournaments, before its sudden closure in July 2023. Sadly, the buildings were destroyed by fire in 2024.

The marina village itself continues to thrive, especially in summer when the canal banks buzz with outdoor dining.