Tasmania Golf Holidays

Located southeast of mainland Australia, Tasmania, is an island with stunning natural beauty, diverse scenic landscapes and fascinating heritage. Home to a gourmet's delight of local produce and an unspoiled spectacular natural environment such as rugged mountain tops to turquoise beaches, dark ancient forests to open green sunny pastures, makes Tasmania a unique holiday experience.

Everything in Tasmania is near by, so travelling within the state is easy and accessible by car or the many guided tour operations. Tasmania consists of several regions each with its own special character, natural environment and unique landscape. It's a place for adventure or quiet repose; summer swims or winter skiing, or for the more industrious traveller fruit picking at one of the many apple orchards and vineyards.

Shipwrecks, convict built gaols and churches endow areas with a magical and haunting reminder rich in history. Tasmania's many local art and craft galleries, roadside stalls selling in season local fruit and annual village fairs gives new meaning to a laid back lifestyle guaranteed to make any Tasmanian holiday a memorable one.

GOLF COURSES IN TASMANIA
The Apple Isle boasts the most golf courses - per capita - of all Australian states. It also has some of the country's greenest greens and roughest roughs and boasts the nation's oldest course at Bothwell where a fascinating range of memorabilia is on display at the Australasian Golf Museum, a must for golf enthusiasts.

1. Barnbougle Dunes Golf Course
Set on spectacular stretch of scenic coastline 1 hour from Launceston. True links golf by the sea. The natural undulations and ocean views have been used to create 18 superb holes. Natural flora and fauna, wild life and birdlife inhabit the area. Charming, unique cottages accommodate up to four golfers with breathtaking scenic views. Clubhouse boasts spectacular beach views with restaurant offering fresh Tasmanian produce and fine wines. Rated 7 in Australia's Top 100;

2. Tasmania Golf Course
Championship coastal links style golf course, great views over the water. Challenging layout. Undulating to gently hilly tree lined fairways, strategic bunkering on many holes. Fully watered with excellent fast and sloping greens. The third hole is often featured and compared with the finishing hole at Pebble Beach. Licensed club house. Only 5minutes from Hobart Airport. Rated 45;

3. Royal Hobart Golf Course
Situated by the magnificent Seven Mile Beach, a challenging, tight driving course on sandy soil of gentle contour in natural bushland and bunkered greens. Designed by the acclaimed course architect, Mr Vern Morcom and is considered one of the finest in the country. Flat undulating fairways with deceptive hollows in front of greens. Clubhouse set in picturesque bushland overlooking the golf course. Functions and seminar facilities available for hire. Host to the Australian Open won by Jack Nicklaus, Tasmanian Open and Australian Amateur. Rated 56;

4. Riverside Golf Course
Championship 18 hole golf course in a very picturesque setting. Tight tree lined fairways, four water hazards makes for a very demanding layout. Gently undulating with majestic views from the refurbished clubhouse featuring a well stocked bar and excellent dining facilities. Excellent practice facilities including a fairway, putting green and nets. Lessons and advice on all golfing needs to members and visitors alike available;

5. Mowbray Golf Course
Tree lined championship course with four lakes and water in play on a few holes. Watered fairways, greens and trees. The first nine is flatter, with the second nine climbing a plateau. The course has some challenging holes, particularly with the prevailing westerly winds blowing. Ten minute drive from the Launceston city centre with scenic views of the city and the Tamar Valley;

6. Launceston Golf Course
The oldest 18 holes in Tasmania. An excellent course to test players of all levels. Carved out of natural bushland with well manicured greens, strategically placed bunkers on every hole and eucalyptus tree lined fairways over gently undulating layout. A fully automated watering system and natural drainage ensure the Course is playable in superb condition all year round. Clubhouse with licensed bar and catering facilities;

7. West Bay Golf Course
Challenging 18 hole course located 15 minutes South of Hobart overlooking the picturesque North West Bay. Interesting variety of undulating terrain with some hills and lush watered fairways that will test your uphill, downhill and side hill shot making. 14 bunkers and 4 dams. Fully licensed clubhouse with practise facilities. BBQ facilities available upon request;

8. Claremont Golf Course
A beautiful and challenging scenic course surrounded on three sides by water, a number of bunkers on course and some hills. Claremont is a fine course, especially if you like the smell of chocolate that can waft from the nearby Cadbury factory. Scenic, grassy greens and water on many holes. Practice fairway and putting green. Buggies and carts are available for hire;

9. Kingston Beach Golf Course
A picturesque layout beneath Mt. Wellington with abundant wildlife and picturesque Browns River meanders through it. A proclaimed wild-life sanctuary. Despite a dramatic downhill plunge in the first fairway then hugging alongside coastal and river flats it is an easy walking course. Excellent grass greens and many splendid old trees. Lightly bunkered. Has hosted many major State/National events and founded in 1922.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN TASMANIA
Whether it's the relaxing laidback lifestyle of Hobart city, the green pretty pastures of the Huon Valley & D'Entrecasteaux Channel, the great lakes region of the Tamar Valley or the white sandy beaches of the East coast, a Tasmanian holiday is guaranteed to impress you.

1. The Australasian Golf Museum
In Bothwell, home to Ratho, the oldest golf course in the southern hemisphere;

2. Design Centre of Tasmania
For fine local craft and furniture, visit the Design Centre of Tasmania in Launceston;

3. Cradle Mountian
The World Heritage-listed scenery and easy bushwalks around Cradle Mountain is spectacular;

4. Sullivan's Cove
The waterfront area, is a lovely spot to begin exploring the city of Hobart. Here you'll find Parliament House and the old sandstone warehouses of Salamanca Place;

5. Port Arthur
In the Tasman Peninsula. A piece of living history, this historic site takes visitors back to Australia's convict past. Kayaking, picnics and a river cruise can be done around the coastal area, also the Tasmanian Devil Park are nearby;

6. The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Is home to a variety of native and exotic plants;

7. The Queen Victoria Museum
Situated in Launceston, has one of Australia's best collections of colonial art;

8. Tamar Island
See birds in their natural habitat at Tamar Island (8km from Launceston) There are boardwalks to let you walk over the wetlands;

9. The King Island Dairies Fromagerie
For tasting and sales of the island's famous cheeses, and also the island's cream, crayfish and the beef is highly recommended. Succulent and delicious;

10. The Flinders Island Drive Trail
For an exploration of birdlife and wildlife in natural areas;

11. Southwest National Park and the South Coast Track
Has some marvellous rainforest and landscape scenery;

12. The Theatre Royal
Australia's oldest continually operating theatre;

13. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
An excellent collection of colonial art and natural history;

14. The Transport, Maritime and Allport Museums
Also nearby is the Narryna Heritage Museum;

15. The Old Hobart Gaol
In Campbell Street will take you back in time, especially if you opt for the Ghost Tour;

16. Time Warp House
For an interactive look at life in Australia in the last century;

17. Battery Point
Has many historical buildings. Worthwhile is Arthur's Circus, a settlement of quaint and charming workers' cottages;

18. Food tasting
Give the tastebuds a treat at the Cascade Brewery in South Hobart, the Cadbury chocolate factory in Claremont and the Island Produce fudge factory;

19. The Antarctic Adventure Centre
In Salamanca Place and the Australian Antarctic Division in Kingston;

20. Scenic air flights
For spectacular views of the Tasman Peninsula, East Coast, Port Davey and the Southwest wilderness, take a scenic flight from Cambridge Airport;

21. Bonorong Park Wildlife Centre
In Brighton, has Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats, koalas and other native fauna;

22. Richmond
The historic town of Richmond is a wonderful step back in time and only 25 kilometres away from Hobart. See some of Australia's oldest historical buildings, eat freshly baked hot scones, and visit antiques stores and galleries;

23. Southeast region
Is a must for scenery, wildlife, heritage and adventure;

24. The Tamar Valley
For exploring the natural attractions which include amazing waterfalls, scenic views, and safe swimming beaches;

25. The Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
For the most unspoiled and beautiful wilderness in the world.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN TASMANIA
Tasmania offers holiday makers a multitude of leisure activities. Learn about the natural habitat on guided river or land cruises, hang glide and rock climb in spectacular nature sights or take a leisurely walk through the 1830's warehouses that are now home to galleries, studios, restaurants and cafes.

1. Take the Historic Hobart WalkOr pick up a self-guided walking map;
2. Scenic Drive Take The Huon Trail from south of Hobart through to the Huon Valley, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island;
3. Cave Tour GuidesTake an underground cave tour at Hastings Caves and swim in a thermal pool;
4. Penguin Sighting At The Neck Reserve or camel riding to explore the beaches from Great Bay;
5. Jet boating, Rafting, Canoeing or Fishing On the Derwent River;
6. Cable Hang-GlidingAt Trevallyn.
7. River Cruise Up the Tamar River on the luxury, licensed Tamar Odyssey;
8. Wine TastingIn the Tamar Valley;
9. PicnicUnder the world's tallest white gum trees at Evercreech Forest Reserve on the east coast;
10. Surfing In Marrawah, on the west coast;
11. Take a Cruise Tour On the Arthur River to discover wildlife;
12. Walk or 4WDTo Montezuma Falls (near Rosebery), Tasmania's highest waterfall;
13. Kayaking, Cruising, Scenic Flights, Fishing Trips On Macquarie Harbour or white-water rafting on the Franklin River also on the west coast;
14. The Walkers LookoutNear Whitemark, has panoramic views of the whole island and you can watch the sun rise over the Tasman Sea;
15. Boat TourFrom Lady Barron or join qualified divers to explore the many shipwrecks;
16. Camping, Climbing, BushwalkingIn Tasmania's most visited National Park, Freycinet National Park. Evening tours available to see nocturnal wildlife;
17. Trout Fishingin The Lakes Region with Great Lake and Arthur's Lake being particularly popular in Tasmania's midlands.
18. Diviing and SwimmingOff the pristine rivers and beaches on the east coast;

CLIMATE OF TASMANIA
Tasmania has four distinct seasons. Summer is warm with sunny days and mild evenings. Autumn provides the classical transition to winter with very cool to frosty nights and clear cool days. Winter displays sudden storms, shorter daylight hours and snow on the higher peaks. Summer lasts from December to February when the average maximum temperature is 21 °C (70 °F). Winter is from June to August with an average maximum temperature of 12 °C (54 °F).