Touring Tasmania

Autumn is the perfect time to venture to Tasmania and enjoy a golfing getaway. There are many unique courses to play and scenic destinations to explore along the way. Our favourite finds range from smart city courses through to remote country clubs with their lush fairways and character filled communities. Go on, get packing, this Tasmanian golf inspired road trip is bound to be fun.

Royal Hobart Golf Club

20 Regal Ct, Seven Mile Beach. Ph: 03 62486161

www.rhgc.com.au

Founded in 1916 this course is now considered Tasmania’s premier 18 hole members club. The Royal Hobart has hosted a number of major championship events over the years - a huge highlight being the Qantas Australian Open in 1971 - won by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

It’s just a half hour drive from Hobart and has 7 miles of beach a minute away, Ideal for a brisk warmup walk or a post-game cool down splash.

TEE TIME

The RHGC Par 75 is a fairly flat sheltered course with impeccably kept greens and fairways. Use your skill to avoid the 80+ bunkers.

Green fees for 18 holes start at $85

TOP TIP

Leave time to have a refreshing drink on the club room deck where they pour an impressive selection of Tasmanian wines and their lunch menu is extensive again offering local delights.

Due to its close proximity (10 mins) to the Hobart airport it’s an accesible course to kick off with.

STAY

Prospect House Private Hotel

Luxury country hotel and restaurant with a rich and fascinating history.

www.prospectprivatehotel.com.au 

Kingston Beach Golf Club

1 Channel Highway, Kingston. Ph: 03 62298300

www.kbgc.com.au

This visually gorgeous undulating course has stunning views of the river Derwent and is a favourite with the local ladies. Its Tasmania’s southernmost 18-hole Championship Golf Course and only a 15 minute drive south from Hobarts CBD.

The beautiful red brick Clubhouse building was built in 1834, originally a farmhouse, and now listed on the National Trust heritage register.

Kingston Beach Golf Course was proclaimed a bird sanctuary in 1942 and as many as 80 species of birds inhabit the area. Originally links in style, over the years many trees have been planted to tighten up the course.

TEE TIME

There’s an entertaining end to your round when you discover that an inclinator hauls players and clubs up the hill to the 18^th.

Green fees for 18 holes start from $60.

TOP TIP

Any questions about the course? Just ask the friendly female members on the course and enjoy those stunning views.

STAY

We recommend the elegant lodgings at Corinda House. A magnificent boutique hotel in a historic home that boasts delightful gardens every which way you look.

www.corinda.com.au

Stanley Golf Club

3 Marine Esplanade, Stanley. Ph: 03 64581395

The Stanley Gold Club is a 9-hole, Par 66 coastal course in NW Tasmania, a one-hour drive west of Burnie.

This typical link-style short course is relatively flat with well-maintained greens and tees. The course is set among sand dunes, just 10 metres from the sea. There are a few interesting challenges here that include tricky bunkers to skillfully maneuver, a decent dam hazard and those strong Bass Straight (hang on to your hat style winds). The course offers stunning views of the coastline and Stanleys famous NUT – the remains of an extinct volcano rising 152m from the sea.

TEE TIME

Visitors pay their casual green fees into an honesty box and the dress code is very relaxed. The club’s restaurant ‘8 Under’ is open Wednesday – Saturday from 5-9pm. It’s where the locals come for a top feed, refreshing drinks and pass on their course tips.

TOP TIP

Leave plenty of time to explore the gorgeous character filled historic town. If you have any energy left, a walk up the Nut is a must – luckily there is a chair lift as an easier plan B.

STAY

A luxe Tasmanian story telling inn where each of the suites and apartments have a compelling tale to share. Put the Ship Inn on your Tasmanian golf stay & play radar stat.

www.shipinnstanley

The Mountain Vista Golf Club Waratah

20 Camp Rd, Waratah. Ph: 03 64391215

The name says it all! This picturesque 9-hole course is situated in the tiny historic mining town of Waratah, the heart of Northwest Tasmania’s Tarkine region. Its run by a small team of local volunteers (3) and the course condition is a credit to them. If it feels like you’re playing on the edge of the wilderness it’s because you are. Mountain Vista Golf Club is the second highest course in Tasmania. Well worth the drive the 50-minute drive from Burnie. 

TEE TIME

Overall, it’s a challenging yet fun course. The most entertaining hole is the 5^th, it’s a Par 5 and at 579 metres is the longest hole in Tasmania and one of the longest in the southern hemisphere.

$15 green fees dropped in an honesty box. I say why not add a tip to help with the maintenance costs, especially since the locals are extremely welcoming of guests.  

TOP TIPS

Take time to check out the lush waterfall in the main street of Waratah. Note: snow can fall on the course from June to October.

STAY

It’s hard to go past either the glam yet discreet setting of Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge or the enchanting guest rooms and picturesque views of Corinna. Both are two iconic wilderness style Tasmanian stays on the west coast.

www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au & www.corinna.com.au

Words by Tracey Leitch