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Golf on King Island
Two of the world's best courses on one very small island.
Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes are consistently ranked among the best courses in Australia and the world. But what makes King Island golf different isn’t just the rankings. It’s playing 18 holes with Bass Strait on your doorstep, no four-ball in matching polos waving you through, and a cold beer with locals at the end of it. You come for the golf. You’ll be back for everything else.
Cape Wickham Links
Australia's #1 Public Golf Course
Perched on the island’s northern tip with the Cape Wickham lighthouse as your backdrop, this is the course that put King Island on the global golfing map. Named Australia’s number one public golf course by Golf Digest in 2024, every one of its 18 holes faces the ocean. Wind is part of the experience and so is the view.
Ocean Dunes Golf Course
Ranked in Australia's Top 10
On the west coast near Currie, Ocean Dunes is raw, beautiful and seriously challenging. The natural dunes and crashing shoreline demand your full attention and the wind is very much part of the game.
King Island Golf & Bowling Club
A local favourite since 1932
This is where it all started on King Island. Stick around after your round for a chat with locals at the bar – expect a few great yarns and some extra tips for your next game.
Why play golf on King Island?
Two world-class courses, one wild stretch of Bass Strait coastline, and the kind of golf that asks you to play with the weather, not against it.
Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes are the big drawcards, but the appeal goes beyond the rankings. There’s space here. Time. Sea air. A slower pace off the course, and plenty worth making room for once the round is done.
Why are King Island’s golf courses so highly ranked?
Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes have put King Island firmly on the map for golf. Cape Wickham has been named Australia’s No. 1 public access course, while Ocean Dunes is also ranked among Australia’s best public golf courses. Two courses of that calibre on one small island is rare, and the coastline does plenty of the talking.
Do you need to book King Island golf far in advance?
You won’t find mainland-style crowds here, but you should still book ahead. Tee times, flights, accommodation and car hire can all fill quickly, especially around long weekends, events and peak travel periods. Once you’re here, the pace is relaxed. Getting here is the part worth planning.
What makes golf on King Island different?
The courses sit hard against the Bass Strait coastline, with ocean views, shifting weather and wind that can change the round completely. On a clear day, it’s distracting in the best way. On a wild day, you’ll understand why the island gets under golfers’ skin.
How easy is it to get to King Island for golf?
King Island is closer than it feels. Flights operate from Melbourne and Tasmania, and Sharp Airlines has introduced direct Launceston to King Island services on Tuesdays and Thursdays, cutting that trip to around 55 minutes. Always check current schedules before you book.
Are there King Island stay and play golf packages?
Yes. Several operators offer King Island golf packages that can combine flights, accommodation, course bookings and transport. They’re worth looking into if you’re coming specifically for Cape Wickham, Ocean Dunes or both, especially if you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else.
What is there to eat and drink after golf on King Island?
Plenty. King Island beef, crayfish and cheese are the obvious drawcards, and there’s a gin distillery if the round didn’t quite go to plan. Book dinner before you arrive, especially in busy periods, and you’ll eat very well.
A few things worth knowing before you arrive.
The wind can be wild. Both Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes are coastal courses fully exposed to the Bass Strait. Factor it into your game and your packing – a decent jacket is as important as your wedge.
Walking is part of the experience. Buggies are available but these courses are designed to be walked and if you’re able to, do it. You’ll get far more out of the round.
Book ahead – tee times and dinner especially. The island runs on its own schedule and turning up hoping for the best doesn’t always work out. A bit of planning goes a long way.
