Ratho Farm Golf Course

Australia's oldest links, where grazing sheep and convict-era charm meet Old Scotland tradition

Ratho Farm Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-64 public links course in Bothwell, in Tasmania's Central Highlands, measuring 4,918 metres. Established in 1822 and designed by Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford, it includes six historically lost holes restored using old maps, scorecards, photographs, and local legend. The course is set among restored colonial farm buildings and convict cottages, with sheep grazing the fairways and fenced square greens. Facilities include a driving range, pro shop, restaurant/dining, plus cart and club hire.

Ratho Farm carries a reputation as a genuine step back in time, with visitors consistently describing the experience as charming, memorable, and unlike any other round in Australia. Players regularly praise the variety of the layout, noting that every hole brings its own challenges despite the comparatively short overall length. The combination of working-farm heritage, grazing sheep, and the traditions of Old Scotland gives the course an old-world character that reviewers find genuinely special. Beyond the golf, guests frequently highlight the warm hospitality, hearty home-cooked meals shared at communal tables, and the quirky boutique accommodation within the restored cottages. The overall impression is of a welcoming, history-rich getaway where the round of golf is just one part of a memorable stay.