Over the past two decades, northern Tasmania has emerged as a world-class golf destination offering a mix of internationally acclaimed layouts and fun, picturesque courses anyone can play.
Club selection is also of paramount importance at one of Tasmania’s most underrated layouts, Ulverstone Golf Club.
Located about 20 minutes’ drive west of Devonport, Ulverstone was designed by the late Al Howard, who extracted the best holes from a wonderfully undulating and heavily-treed landscape.
Heading another 45km west from the majestic tall timbers of Ulverstone to the edge of Bass Strait, you will find another Tasmanian nine-hole jewel.
Wynyard Golf Club is wedged between Bass Strait to the north and the Inglis River to the south. The great South African player Bobby Locke visited the course in the 1950s and proclaimed it to be the best nine-hole layout he had seen. Our Top-100 Courses judges were also impressed and Wynyard was listed in Golf Australia magazine’s best 100 nine-hole courses in Australia for 2019
Wynyard, established in 1924, is a true links course and the short par-4 3rd is reminiscent of some of the classic Scottish courses that hug the North Sea. The 275 metres between tee and green is not intimidating but the dogleg right fairway sloping down to the beach and ocean presents some concerns especially for the right-handed slicer. Into the prevailing westerlies, this hole can play up to 100 metres longer. Selecting the right club and swing to hit the wide, shallow green beyond four bunkers is made all the more difficult by swirling winds around Fossil Bluff, which also offers a stunning backdrop to the hole.
There is a treasure trove of courses to be found across northern Tasmania. At one end of the spectrum there are the world-ranked links like Cape Wickham, Ocean Dunes and the Barnbougle courses. At the other end there are the little known nine-hole gems, like Greens Beach and Wynyard. All have something to offer the visitor seeking fun and challenging golf, which positions this region alongside the best golfing destinations in the world.
HOW TO GET THERE
BON VOYAGE
Voyages.Golf, in association with Events Travel, has chartered Coral Expeditions’ new vessel, Coral Geographer, for a one-way golf cruise departing from Melbourne to Hobart on February 8, 2022.
The cruise will take in world ranked golf courses including King Island’s Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes, before venturing onto Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm near Bridport, as well as Tasmania and Royal Hobart Golf Clubs in the capital.
An optional two-night pre-cruise experience playing the famed Royal Melbourne West Course, while staying at Sofitel on Collins, is also available. The cruise ends with three nights’ accommodation in Hobart at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection hotel, creating an 11-night or a 13-night trip with further extensions possible.
“We have a pedigree in luxury cruise and rail charters dedicated to golf and around major sports events in New Zealand, the Caribbean, South Africa, Vietnam, France, and Croatia,” says Director of Events Travel and Voyages.Golf, Glenn Hedley. “Partnering with Coral Expeditions – the Australian owned, flagged, and crewed small ship expedition company – we have great pleasure adding Tasmania to this iconic line-up.
“What makes these cruises even more attractive to discerning golfers is the world-class golf, but also the experience of our team managing their golf clubs throughout the Tour from the minute they get off their flight. They just need to sit back, relax, play golf, wine and dine, make new friends and enjoy the unique experience.”
Sailing for eight days, the tour will also visit the Tarkine wilderness, the Tamar River, cruise down the East Coast via Wineglass Bay, Ile de Phoques, Schouten and Maria Islands. Ultimately, cruisers will enjoy Bruny Island’s rugged coastline whilst on board experiencing what Bruny Island offers in the way of produce accompanied by superb Tasmanian wines.
This is an all-inclusive cruise with complimentary Wi-Fi, all transportation; airport to airport, six rounds of world-class golf, an interesting escorted itinerary for non- golfers, premium beers and a selection of quality wines with gourmet lunches and dinners throughout the itinerary all included.
All guests will receive a golf travel kit from Voyages.Golf including a cap, a Signature Experience polo shirt, and a high-quality souvenir traveller’s windbreaker. Golfers will also receive branded golf accessories including golf balls and tees.
With four decks to choose from, the Coral Geographer is an ideal vessel for the numbers of guests anticipated. This ship is the best of its kind in Australian waters for a high-quality, hands on golf-cruise experience.
For more information or to book your spot on the February 2022 cruise, visit the website www.voyages.golf
TOUR IN LUXURY
Luxury Golf and Scenic Tours Tasmania has a wide range of tour options and packages to suit the wishes of all golfers.
Their four-day Barnbougle and King Island Golf Adventure package is popular. Having landed in Launceston, you will be transferred in luxury comfort to Barnbougle for two days of golf across the Dunes and Lost Farm courses. The third day brings a short flight from Launceston to King Island before playing Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham.
World class golf, stunning scenery, amazing produce, and exemplary customer service makes this tour the perfect golfing getaway.
The Pinnacle Package of this tour includes all green fees, shared cart hire at the King Island courses, flights from Launceston to King Island and then on to Melbourne, three hot breakfasts, three three-course dinners and three nights’ premium twin share accommodation.
For more information about this package or others the Luxury Golf and Scenic Tours portfolio, visit the website www.luxurytourtas.com.au
ISLAND TRANSFERS
The King Island Coach Company is your one stop shop if you are looking for transfers around the Island, to and from golf, restaurants or a special tailored tour.
And if you want to do a spot of fishing when you’re not playing golf, owner Matthew Archer can organise a fishing tour during your stay.
For more information and to book, visit www.facebook.com/king-island-coach-company
AN AIR ADVENTURE
Air Adventure Golf Tours specialises in remote Tasmanian golf and it’s no surprise their four-day / four-round trip to both Barnbougle and King Island is extremely popular.
Designed by golfers, for golfers, the tours make getting there easy. Golfers can carry their full set of clubs (in a travel tube, which are provided) plus 10kg of extra luggage. They also supply full size cart bags at each venue so you can play out of a normal golf bag.
The company’s Ultimate Tasmanian golf adventure includes four rounds – one each at Barnbougle Dunes, Lost Farm, Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes – all in the one trip and includes round trip flights, green fees and accommodation.
Flights to King Island take only 35 minutes from Melbourne’s Essendon Field Airport, and Barnbougle’s private airfield is a 45-minute flight from Essendon. Therefore, in the time it takes to just check-in at the major domestic airports you can be on the course at any of these top-four courses.
For more details or to book, visit the website www.golftoursaustralia.com.au
WHERE TO STAY
KING ISLAND HOTEL
The King Island Hotel has beautifully decorated twin or double rooms, plus two connecting rooms for larger groups or families.
Room facilities include Wi-Fi, TV, bar fridge and tea and coffee making facilities.
The hotel, which is five minutes’ drive from Ocean Dunes in the main street of Currie, has a large restaurant/bistro, public sports bar and beer garden. The bistro is available for breakfasts, lunches and dinner with a variety of local produce to tempt you.
www.oceandunes.com.au/accommodation
CAPE WICKHAM
Cape Wickham has 16 villa-style accommodation rooms with each room boasting unparalleled views across the links with Cape Wickham Lighthouse in the distance. Take in the view from your private deck and indulge in the amenities available to each guest.
BARNBOUGLE
Barnbougle has a range of accommodation options to suit different tastes and budgets.
The Dunes Cottages are very popular, particularly with small groups. There are 22 two-bedroom cottages, each with a deck that affords stunning views of Barnbougle Dunes and the ocean. Luxurious villas are also available.
Across at Lost Farm (pictured above), the lodge offers hotel-style accommodation with single and double open-plan suites. Each suite is only a short walk from the Lodge Restaurant, spa, clubhouse and 1st tee.
QUAMBY ESTATE
Quamby Homestead is a Tasmanian heritage hotel offering ten beautifully restored luxurious guest rooms, each uniquely decorated with an eclectic collection of original art and antique furniture.
Rooms are appointed with king, queen and optional twin bedding, marble or stone bathrooms with heated floors, flat screen TVs, DVD players and heating units or fireplaces.
Related Articles
RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Courses for 2024
RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2025
