You Don’t Have to Go to Scotland: Why Tasmania Is a Links Golf Destination Worth the Trip

There’s something about a golf trip to Scotland that gets golfers a little misty-eyed.

The history. The links. The weather. The whisky. The idea of walking the same fairways where the game has been played for centuries. And yes, Scotland is spectacular.

JD was reminded of that recently after playing some seriously good golf over there after volunteering at The Open, including rounds at Royal Dornoch, Royal Aberdeen, Kilspindie, Struie and Cruden Bay (it's a tough life!). These are courses that sit firmly on most golfers’ bucket lists, and for good reason.

But here’s the thing: When JD got home, he was pretty excited to get back out and play golf in Tasmania. Because if what you love about Scotland is proper links golf, dramatic coastal landscapes, firm-running fairways and the feeling that the golf course is part of the landscape rather than imposed upon it, you don’t necessarily need to fly halfway around the world.

You can find it right here.

Tasmania has the links golf

Tasmania has quietly become one of the great golf destinations in Australia - and increasingly, international golfers are catching on. The island is home to courses that have earned serious international attention, including Barnbougle Dunes, Lost Farm, Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes.

But you don't have to embark on a complicated road trip to experience Tasmanian links golf.

In fact, one of our favourite things about playing golf in Tasmania is that 7 Mile Beach is right on our doorstep. It’s our close-to-home course, and it’s a pretty special one.

Just a short drive from Hobart, 7 Mile Beach gives you that unmistakable links experience: coastal terrain, plenty of wind, firm fairways and a course that feels completely at home in its surroundings.

And because it’s so close to Hobart, you can play 18 holes without spending half your day getting there and back. For a golf trip, that matters.

Then there’s Barnbougle

If you’re going to make the trip to Tasmania, Barnbougle is the obvious addition. Actually, “addition” probably undersells it. For many golfers, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm are the reason Tasmania is on the itinerary in the first place.

Set on Tasmania’s northeast coast and opened in December 2004, the two courses offer very different experiences, but both deliver the kind of golf that makes links enthusiasts very happy indeed. There are dunes. There is wind. There are enormous skies. There are fairways that seem to disappear into the landscape.

And, occasionally, there is a golf ball disappearing into a bunker. That’s the emotional rollercoaster that is links golf.

The beauty of a Tasmanian golf trip is that you can combine this with Hobart and the south of the state rather than treating golf as a standalone expedition. Play 7 Mile Beach. Explore Hobart. Eat extremely well. Drink some excellent Tasmanian whisky. Then head north for Barnbougle.

Suddenly, you have a golf trip that feels like a holiday rather than a series of tee times.

What about Cape Wickham?

Yes, Cape Wickham is spectacular. And yes, you should absolutely play it if it’s on your bucket list.

But we’re also going to be honest with you: getting to King Island takes a bit of commitment.

It’s not something you casually squeeze into a Hobart golf weekend. And that’s actually part of the appeal. Cape Wickham is an adventure — the sort of course you make a special trip to play.

But you don't need to get to King Island to have a world-class Tasmanian golf experience. That’s the point. You can build an exceptional itinerary around Hobart and the north of the state, with 7 Mile Beach providing a very convenient home base for your golf, and then add Barnbougle or other courses depending on how much time you have.

And then there’s the whisky

This is where Tasmania really starts to make a compelling argument.

Scotland has golf and whisky.

Tasmania has golf and whisky.

Coincidence? We think not. Tasmania has developed a remarkable reputation for whisky, with distilleries producing everything from elegant single malts to rich, heavily peated styles. And after a day on the links, sitting down with a Tasmanian whisky is a pretty good way to finish.

Although, to be clear, we're not suggesting you start drinking whisky on the golf course.

We have standards. (Though we've heard that Ratho Farm offers a wee dram at the turn.)

The beauty is that a Tasmanian golf trip doesn't have to be all golf, all the time. You can play 7 Mile Beach in the morning, have lunch in Hobart, visit a distillery in the afternoon and settle in for a great dinner that evening.

Or spend a couple of nights exploring the northeast before returning to Hobart.

That combination of golf, food, wine and whisky is one of the things that makes Tasmania such a rewarding destination.

The Scottish connection

We’re not suggesting Tasmania should replace Scotland. Far from it. Scotland is the spiritual home of the game and every serious golfer should experience it if they get the chance.

But a Scottish golf trip can involve long flights, eye-watering green fees, complicated logistics and a fair amount of time spent getting from one course to another. Tasmania offers something different.

You can fly into Hobart, settle into a beautiful hotel, play excellent golf, eat extraordinarily well and explore some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia - all without leaving the island.

And you don't need a passport. You don't need to deal with jet lag. You don't need to spend a fortune simply getting there. And you certainly don't need to choose between a great golf trip and a great holiday.

You can have both.

So, should you still go to Scotland?

Absolutely.

But if you love links golf, don't overlook Tasmania while you're planning your next trip.

Start with 7 Mile Beach. Add Barnbougle. Throw in some great Tasmanian food, a few wineries, perhaps a whisky distillery or two, and let us worry about getting you from one place to the next.

And if Cape Wickham is calling your name, we'll happily help you make the journey.

Because sometimes the best golf trips aren't necessarily the ones that take you the furthest. Sometimes they're the ones where great golf, great food, beautiful scenery and a good whisky are all part of the same trip.

And that’s Tasmania.