Ocean Dunes, King Island: 2026 Update
King Island sits in Bass Strait between Tasmania and the mainland, and over the past decade it has become one of the great links destinations on earth. Ocean Dunes, the Graeme Grant design on the island's west coast, is at the heart of it. Here is where it stands in 2026, what is changing, and how to play it.
The news: a young links growing into its reputation
Ocean Dunes opened in 2016 as a Graeme Grant design near Currie on the rugged west coast of King Island, and in under a decade it has climbed to the front rank of Australian golf, consistently placed among the country's very best courses. The layout weaves along roughly two kilometers of spectacular coastline, with six holes set hard against the shore where the Bass Strait surf is part of the experience.
The 2026 story is one of a course still maturing and a resort still building. Expansion plans have centered on a new clubhouse and additional on island accommodation, addressing the one historic challenge of a King Island trip, which is where to stay and eat once you have made the journey. As that infrastructure grows, Ocean Dunes becomes an easier and more comfortable destination to build a multi day links trip around.
The course, and its signature holes
Laid out over around 290 acres of rolling dune land, Ocean Dunes uses the natural movement of the site rather than fighting it, with native dunes, firm turf and the ever present wind shaping the round. The coastal stretch is the heart of the course, and two par 3s vie for signature status: the short 4th, playing about 130 meters, and the longer 10th at roughly 210 meters, both framed by the ocean.
It is a genuine walking links that asks for both nerve and imagination, especially when the wind comes up off the strait. King Island's other great course, Cape Wickham at the northern tip, gives the island a remarkable two course pairing, so a visit is rarely about one round alone. Together they make King Island one of the most concentrated hits of coastal links golf anywhere.
How to play it in 2026
King Island plays best through the southern summer, December to February, though the maritime climate keeps it playable across a long season. Access is by light aircraft, typically from Melbourne or via Tasmania, which makes the island a deliberate destination rather than a casual add on, and the growing on island accommodation makes a two or three night stay the sensible approach so you can play both Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham unhurried.
The natural 2026 itinerary links King Island with Barnbougle on the Tasmanian mainland and the Melbourne Sandbelt, building a southern links and sandbelt tour that ranks with anything in world golf. Green fees sit at the premium resort end and move with season and package, so treat any quoted figure as indicative for 2026 and always confirm directly before booking, and arrange flights and tee times together well ahead.
Our take
Our take is that Ocean Dunes is one of the most exciting young links courses in the world and, paired with Cape Wickham, makes King Island an essential stop for the committed links golfer. The drama of the coastal holes, the quality of the design and the sheer remoteness combine into an experience that feels earned in the best way.
For 2026 the improving accommodation and clubhouse make the island a more comfortable trip than it once was, which only strengthens the case. Plan King Island as part of a wider southern tour, give it more than a single round, and accept that the journey and the wind are part of the appeal rather than obstacles to it.
Plan your King Island golf trip
From Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham on King Island to Barnbougle and the Sandbelt, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, including the flights, with no obligation.
Questions
Who designed Ocean Dunes and when did it open?
Ocean Dunes was designed by Graeme Grant and opened in 2016 near Currie on the west coast of King Island, Tasmania. It runs along about two kilometers of coastline, with six holes set hard against the shore, and has quickly become one of Australia's top ranked courses.
What is changing at Ocean Dunes in 2026?
The main developments are on the resort side, with plans for a new clubhouse and additional on island accommodation. This addresses the historic challenge of a King Island trip, which is where to stay and eat, and makes a multi day links visit easier to arrange.
How do you get to King Island for golf?
King Island is reached by light aircraft, typically from Melbourne or via Tasmania, which makes it a deliberate destination. With Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham both on the island, a two or three night stay is the sensible way to play both courses unhurried.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts, rankings and access verified June 2026 from club, ranking panel and golf travel sources; conditions, access and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.