Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course

— About

About Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course

Barnbougle Dunes on Tasmania's north coast is one of the great golf development stories of the twenty-first century — a potato farm that was transformed into one of the world's top 20 golf courses when Tom Doak and Mike Clayton discovered the extraordinary links terrain along the Bass Strait coastline in 2004. The duneland at Barnbougle is the genuine article: wind-blown sand hills, fescue turf, bass strait sea breezes, and the kind of naturally varied topography that normally only develops over centuries of coastal geological processes. Unlike many 'links-style' courses built on non-links terrain, Barnbougle Dunes is true links golf — firm, fast, windswept, and demanding the kind of low, running game associated with the great Scottish and Irish courses. The site also includes a second course — the Lost Farm — designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, making Barnbougle one of only a handful of places in the world where two world-class links courses share the same property. Open to all visitors, it is the most internationally accessible world-class links golf destination in Australia.

— History

History of Barnbougle Dunes

Barnbougle Dunes was conceived in the late 1990s when Greg Ramsay, a Tasmanian potato farmer, recognised that the coastal duneland on his property along the Bass Strait had natural links qualities comparable to the great Scottish seaside courses. Ramsay partnered with American businessman Richard Sattler to commission Tom Doak and local architect Mike Clayton to design a course that would work with rather than against the natural terrain. The project was controversial initially — sceptics questioned whether a remote Tasmanian potato farm could become a world-class golf destination. It opened in 2004 and within months had been ranked in the world's top 50. The companion Lost Farm course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, followed in 2010.

— Signature Holes

Signature Holes at Barnbougle Dunes

The par-4 4th at Barnbougle Dunes is the course's most defining hole — a long driving hole where the Bass Strait runs the entire left boundary, the wind off the strait is unpredictable in direction, and the approach demands a precise iron to a green that falls away toward the sea. The par-3 6th plays directly over a sandy hollow to a green framed by natural dune ridges, requiring carry over open ground with no bail-out options in a classic links short-hole configuration. The par-4 16th is the most photographed hole, routing along the Bass Strait cliffs with the Tasmanian coast extending in both directions — a tee shot played with the full awareness of the natural links environment that makes Barnbougle extraordinary.

— Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit Barnbougle Dunes

October through April is Tasmania's summer and the prime golf season — mild temperatures of 16–24°C and the longest daylight hours. November through March offers the most settled weather, though wind is characteristic year-round at this Bass Strait-exposed site. May through September is cooler and windier, but Barnbougle is open year-round and winter conditions produce the firmest, fastest links turf. Book well in advance for summer visits — the course fills quickly during the peak December–February period.

— Practical Tips

Tips for Playing Barnbougle Dunes

Barnbougle is open to all visitors — book tee times directly through the Barnbougle website. Green fees range from AUD 150 to 220. On-site accommodation (Barnbougle Dunes Lodge and Lost Farm cottages) fills quickly in summer; book accommodation and golf together well ahead of peak season. The nearest major airport is Launceston, approximately 60 kilometres from the course — around 50 minutes by car. Playing both Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm in the same visit is the standard approach for serious golfers making the Tasmanian trip.

— Highlights

Why Play Barnbougle Dunes

• ▸ Consistently ranked in the world's top 20 — Tom Doak and Mike Clayton's Tasmanian masterpiece
• ▸ Genuine links golf on Tasmania's Bass Strait coast — the only authentic links terrain in southern Australia
• ▸ Companion course Lost Farm (Bill Coore / Ben Crenshaw) on the same property
• ▸ Open to all visitors — the most accessible world-class links experience in Australia
• ▸ Potato farm transformed into world-top-20 golf destination — one of golf's great development stories

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Barnbougle Dunes

Can visitors play Barnbougle Dunes?

Yes — Barnbougle Dunes is open to all visitors. Book tee times directly through the Barnbougle website. On-site lodge accommodation is also available.

What is the Lost Farm at Barnbougle?

Lost Farm is a companion links course on the same property, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 2010. It has 20 holes and is consistently ranked in Australia's top 10. Playing both courses is the recommended approach for a Barnbougle visit.

How do I get to Barnbougle Dunes?

Launceston Airport is approximately 60 kilometres from the course — around 50 minutes by car. Direct flights connect Launceston with Melbourne (1 hour) and Sydney (1.5 hours). Bridport is on Tasmania's north coast.

Why is Barnbougle considered a genuine links course?

The Bass Strait coastline at Barnbougle has natural links terrain — wind-blown sand dunes, firm sandy soils, and exposed coastal conditions that produce the firm, fast turf and running game associated with great Scottish links.

How much does it cost to play Barnbougle Dunes?

Green fees range from AUD 150 to 220 depending on season. Multi-round packages combining Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm are available.