Although there are many things to do in Tasmania, golfers will appreciate playing golf at Australia’s best public golf course. Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm are two amazing golf courses built by a north-eastern Tasmanian farming family with a hospitality background, who figured they had a pretty decent spot for a golf course on their potato and cattle farm.
Getting to Barnbugle Dunes
I drive a few kilometres beyond Pipers River to, arguably, north-east Tasmania’s most lauded attraction.
Turning right just before the tiny coastal community of Bridport, I wind my way down a gravel track to one of the golf world’s true holy grails, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm.
Two of the world’s top-rated links-style golf courses are built on the site of a potato and cattle farm.
Barnbougle Dunes
The Dunes at Barnbougle is now considered one of the world’s premier links-style golf courses.
Barnbougle has 200 acres of rolling dunes incorporated into a golf course by renowned golf course designer Tom Doak and Australia’s Michael Clayton.
Four years ago the Sattler family opened another golf course right next door, Lost Farm, which is also considered amongst the world’s top 100 golf courses.
The Sattler family wanted to build a golf course with none of the old-world pretense and stuffy customs normally associated with world’s best golf courses.
There are no members at Barnbougle to scowl at visiting players and the atmosphere is always very relaxed.
You also won’t have to negotiate a tee-off time between thrice-weekly competitions as you will at most courses – because there aren’t any.
The Sattlers still operate their family farm beside the golf course, so the drive in takes you on a gravel road past grazing cattle.
It’s as pretty a pastoral picture as the golf world offers, till a stiff northerly blows its way straight off the Bass Strait and you’re begging for mercy.
The tee-offs at Barnbougle are not for the faint-hearted.
Is Barnbugle Dunes the most beautiful golf course in the world?
The dream of a local farming and hospitality industry family, these golf courses closely resemble the infamously brutal seaside golf courses of western Scotland.
Wallabies watch as I play one of the most visually arresting golf courses on the planet.
Huge bunkers the size of small beaches lie in wait as I attempt to steer my way across coastal ridgelines to greens perched between huge mounds of thick tussock grass.
When I’m done – and feel battered senseless – I seek solace in the day spa and in the restaurant at Lost Farm with their floor-to-ceiling windows that look out across the Bass Strait to Bridport.
Lost Farm Golf Course
Not content to have the country’s best public course here in North Eastern Tasmania, the Sattlers decided to build a second course right next door, only this course has two extra holes to enjoy the spectacular views.
Now rated in Australia’s top 10 public golf courses and in the world’s top 50, Lost Farm is actually more visually arresting than its older brother.
There’s also more stylish accommodation, a luxurious day spa and a restaurant with stunning views over the Bass Strait.
Lost Farm Day Spa
As well as having one of the country’s best golf courses, there’s also its most scenic day spa.
The Magnesium Pool at Lost Farm Day Spa is a good place to soak away your strains.
Barnbougle is at 425 Waterhouse Rd, Bridport, Tasmania.
For more ideas in the region check out:
20 Amazing Things to do in Launceston
4 Secret Spots Near Bay of Fires
Devonport to Hobart by Campervan
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