Australia’s Public Golf Course Mecca in the making

High quality ‘public access’ golf courses are always worth noting. They should be kept safely in one’s memory so they can be drawn upon for when that rare moment occurs: everyone can take a few days off work at the same time and leave passes are approved.  Then that all important golfing weekend is on!

As we all know, any time you get the chance to catch up with your mates and chase the little white dimple ball around for a few days, every minute should be savoured. Rare moments like these need to be maximised and at the top of the designated organiser’s wish list: the best golf destination?

This wish has not gone unheard because for the last 10 years or so a public golf course mecca has been developing on the northern tip of Tasmania. Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm (near Bridport) is well known in most golfing circles and so it should be, both are ranked in Australia’s top 10 golf courses.

Now, no pain no gain. Getting to this part of Australia is not totally straight forward. Private aircraft is the preferred option which regularly depart from either Melbourne’s Essendon or Moorabbin airports (45 mins flight time approx.) You can fly commercial from Melbourne to Launceston, although you just need to factor in the 1hr car journey to and from Launceston. This is the main reason why private aircraft has traditionally been the preferred option for most.

Adding further appeal to this region, King Island has started building its own golfing profile with the construction of 2 courses, Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes. Both courses are well funded and nearing completion. You can be confident that the outcomes are going to be world class as both layouts are being bought to life by high quality golfing pedigree. Cape Wickham is co-owned by Andrew Duncan (Mornington Peninsula’s The Dunes) and designed by well known US course designer Mike DeVries. The Ocean Dunes concept is the brainchild of 40 year veteran golf course curator, Graeme Grant.  Opening in late 2015 and early 2016 respectively, the writing is already on the wall, I strongly recommend you start planning your visit now.

Check out our Barnbougle and King Island golf packages here.

Mates’ Escapes