Ocean Dunes to receive $10m tourism boost

THE Ocean Dunes golf course on King Island will undergo a major expansion thanks to a $10 million Tasmanian Government loan. 

Recognising the potential to significantly boost visitor numbers, Ocean Dunes Holdings Ltd has proposed a $35.5 million major expansion of its visitor facilities, creating 64 hotel rooms and new reception, restaurant and bar facilities. 

It is is anticipated that the development will bring far-reaching benefits to the island when completed in 2025. 

Premier and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Jeremy Rockliff said the State Government will provide a $10 million commercial loan, as recommended by the Tasmanian Development Board, to support the development and help further grow visitation to the island. 

“This is a fantastic project for King Island and will support Tasmania’s position as a leader on the international golf stage,” Mr Rockliff said. 

“Expansion of the Ocean Dunes visitor facilities is underpinned by heightened demand from golfers wanting to play at King Island, which currently exceeds the island’s tourist accommodation capacity. 

“The company, which provided a strong business case for this support, has all the required development approvals in place and is ready to begin construction, which is great news for eager golfers and tourists. 

“This exciting project will provide much-needed additional accommodation rooms, which will not only benefit the island’s two world-class golf courses but also the other tourism businesses,” Mr Rockliff said.

“When the development is finished, 78 permanent full-time equivalent jobs will be created, helping diversify the economy in the face of global and economic headwinds,” he said. 

King Island is home to two of Australia’s top-ranked golf courses, with Cape Wickham currently ranked number one by Australian Golf Digest and Ocean Dunes ranked number 13. 

“Ocean Dunes Golf Course expansion project has been over two years in the making,” Ocean Dunes managing director Philip Kennedy said. 

“The Tasmanian Government's support in the way of a commercial loan is essential for the delivery of this exciting project. 

“This support is critical and greatly appreciated. The lack of sufficient quality accommodation on King Island has been a major impediment to tourism during the peak season since the golf courses arrived. 

“A new chapter in golf tourism on King Island will commence in 2025,” Mr Kennedy said. 

“Many full-time equivalent jobs will be created on King Island, along with indirect jobs and services that will support and bolster the local economy."

“We expect to see increased demand and an extended tourism season in the future and we are excited to support King Island to fulfil its tourism potential."

Mr Kennedy said construction preliminaries on the site would commence during October this year, completing the development in the 2025 golfing season. 

Mayor Marcus Blackie said commencement of the long-anticipated Ocean Dunes Golf Resort development was fantastic news for King Island overall and especially our tourism industry. 

“Clearly, golf is going to be a bigger part of our future upward trajectory and increased economic driver. 

“Ocean Dunes is a spectacularly beautiful links course and already successful enterprise, so the addition of resort accommodation will be the jewel in their crown. 

“This development significantly increases accommodation capacity on KI, certainly a win-win dividend. 

After a slow 2024 winter season for a range of economic reasons, the Ocean Dunes announcement is an occasion to celebrate what golf has achieved so far and moreover, unlock the future expansion of golf on King Island,” Mr Blackie said.