Barnbougle: Another masterstroke from Doak, Coore & Crenshaw

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Barnbougle: Another masterstroke from Doak, Coore & Crenshaw

Golf has a way of leading us to the edges of the world. Scotland has St Andrews and Royal Dornoch. Ireland boasts Ballybunion and Lahinch. America calls golfers to Pebble Beach. And here in Australia, the pilgrimage takes us down to the windswept coast of northeast Tasmania — to Barnbougle.

What started as a bold experiment on a strip of dunes near the little fishing town of Bridport has become one of the most celebrated golf destinations anywhere on earth. Mini-resort, retreat, golfing mecca… Barnbougle is all of those rolled into one. But what makes it so special is not just its rankings on “Top 100” lists around the globe. It’s the experience of being there — the feeling that you are playing golf in its purest, most elemental form. Links golf.

The Birth of a Legend

Barnbougle began with a vision. In the early 2000s, potato farmer Richard Sattler owned a rugged, sandy coastal property where the wind sculpted wild dunes. Instead of treating it as farmland, he saw potential for something different. Enter legendary course designers Tom Doak (of Cape Kidnappers & North Course at Te Arai Links, Pacific Dunes fame) and former touring pro Mike Clayton.

The philosophy was simple: let the land dictate the golf. They didn’t bulldoze or bend the landscape to fit an idealized course plan. They simply found holes that already seemed to exist within the natural dunes. The result was Barnbougle Dunes, opened in 2004, instantly hailed as one of the most authentic links-style courses outside the UK. Today, it consistently ranks in the World’s Top 40 golf courses and is always labelled in Australia’s top three.

But Sattler and his team didn’t stop there. They added a second masterpiece in 2010 — Lost Farm, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (the duo behind celebrated courses like Sand Hills, Cabot & South Course at Te Arai Links). Where Dunes is rugged and traditional, Lost Farm is slightly more modern — bold, expansive, and adventurous. Together, they form one of the very best 36-hole golf resorts in the world. Ask anyone who has been: one day at Barnbougle is never enough.

Barnbougle Dunes – Golf as It Was Meant to Be

The original Barnbougle Dunes is a pure links test. Locals describe it as “old-world golf in new world scenery.” Fairways twist between dunes, greens perch on natural plateaus, and the wind sweeping in from Bass Strait is as much a part of the course as the bunkers.

Highlights include:

The 4th hole (Par 4): A short but strategic test with a green nestled in the dunes — driveable for the bold, but with disaster lurking.
The 7th hole (Par 3): Framed by ocean and dunes, it’s Tasmania’s postcard hole. When the wind gusts, it can play anything from a wedge to a long iron.
The 13th hole (Par 4): A sweeping dogleg forcing you to flirt with sand dunes; the green is no less intimidating.
The 17th hole (Par 5): Long, exposed, and dramatic — the type of finishing stretch that defines a true championship course.

Above all, Dunes teaches you to play the ball for safety. You bump, run, and adapt. Like Scotland, creativity triumphs over brute strength. (unless you have the wind at your back!)

Lost Farm – The Wilder Sibling

Just across the river estuary lies Barnbougle Lost Farm. If Dunes is a traditional test, Lost Farm is more modern — offering 20 holes spread across massive dunes, ridges, and clifftops. It feels vast, with holes climbing higher and giving sweeping panoramic views over Bass Strait.

Standout holes include:

The 5th hole (Par 3): From its elevated tee, you fire straight toward the ocean. The backdrop is unforgettable.
The 8th hole (Par 4): A quirky short par four that dares big hitters to take it on — risk and reward in its purest form.
The 14th hole (Par 4): Routed between towering dunes, the fairway looks inviting but punishes wayward shots with savage bunkering.
The 20th hole (Par 3): A “bonus hole” that few courses can boast about, offering yet another postcard moment.

Lost Farm complements Dunes perfectly. Most visitors play both in a 2–3 day trip, comparing notes over beers at the clubhouse. Some golfers prefer the purity of Dunes; others love the drama of Lost Farm. The magic lies in having them side by side. Play them both.

Beyond the Fairways

A golf trip is more than just golf. Barnbougle delivers the full experience.

Accommodation: Stay in simple yet comfortable on-site cottages or the Lodge at Lost Farm. Rooms open to fresh coastal air and views of the wild dunes. You won’t find marble bathrooms or gold taps — but you’ll feel like you belong.
Dining: The Lost Farm restaurant is a gem, showcasing Tasmania’s seafood, beef, cheese, and wine with sweeping views over Anderson Bay. A Tasmanian pinot paired with freshly caught lobster? Yes, please.
Spa & Leisure: For non-golfing partners (or sore muscles), the Lost Farm Spa offers treatments with ocean views.
Local Adventures: Beyond golf, Bridport is known for fishing, local markets, and breathtaking coastal walks. The Bay of Fires and Tamar wine regions are within driving distance.

Why Barnbougle Matters

Barnbougle is not just great golf. It’s a reminder that world-class courses don’t need to be built in big cities, next to five-star hotels, or in the shadows of famous landmarks. Sometimes they’re created in unexpected, windswept places by people who care more about authenticity than luxury.

In that sense, Barnbougle is golf’s gift to Australia. It attracts the best players in the world, inspires amateurs, and puts Tasmania on the global golfing map. It has breathed new life into Bridport’s local economy. And perhaps most importantly — it delivers joy. The type of joy only golfers understand when standing on a dune ridge, club in hand, staring into the salty wind, wondering what might happen next.

The Pilgrimage Awaits

Every serious golfer has a bucket list. And nestled among the giants of Scotland, Ireland, and America, Barnbougle has carved its seat at the table. It’s rugged, it’s dramatic, and it’s unforgettable.

Go for the golf. Stay for the people, the food, the stories. And when you walk off the final green, sun sinking into Bass Strait, you’ll understand why Barnbougle isn’t just one of Australia’s great golf courses — it’s one of the world’s.

Final Thoughts

Barnbougle rewards ‘on the fly’ shot-making and patience, especially if its windy. If you’re chasing a number, play smart; if you’re chasing memories, look up more than you look down. Either way, you’ll leave with a story worth telling—and a reason to book a return trip.

Written by Steve McKean, Co-Owner of Luxury Adventures

Luxury Adventures has over 2 decades of crafting bespoke luxury travel experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Steve is passionate about showcasing the region’s most unforgettable places, from hidden alpine retreats, sunny paradises to world-class golf courses.

A keen golfer and travel lover, he blends insider knowledge with a deep respect for local culture and sustainability. When not curating extraordinary journeys, you’ll find him exploring off-the-beaten-path lodges or teeing off at sunrise.

For more information email us: info@luxuryadventures.co.nz or follow our adventures on Instagram here

Linkedin: Connect with Luxury Adventures Directors Steve McKean & Dee McKean