Thirlstane between golf and bushland

At the golf course, Thirlstane reveals its rural, nature-rich character: Thirlstane Golf Course is in an agricultural district and surrounded by natural bushland. At the same time, there’s more to explore than sport: nearby Port Sorell is a gateway to Narawntapu National Park. Narawntapu National Park, with its activities and walking trails, is in the vicinity of Thirlstane; the golf course itself is in Thirlstane.

A golf course in a rural setting

Thirlstane Golf Club has a nine-hole golf course designed by Australian amateur golfer Peter Toogood in 1980. The hole designated as the signature hole (the 6th and 15th holes) is the shorter of the two par-3 holes and measures 139 metres. Two lakes and two bunkers protect the green on the left and right.

In par 3, the number indicates the expected number of strokes for the hole. Together with its length and the hazards around the green, this offers a concrete way to understand the signature hole, even without much golfing knowledge.

Club history and visiting

The club was founded on 21 November 1980 as Shearwater Golf Club; in 1997, it was renamed Thirlstane Golf Club. The year 1980 thus connects the course design with the club’s founding, while the current club name came later.

Thirlstane Golf Club is not a public golf course, but welcomes visitors and green-fee players, provided they observe the rules and etiquette of golf and respect the course and everyone present. Check availability before planning a visit. A Tasmanian Government activity guide listed the club as wheelchair accessible in 2025; check current conditions on site before travelling. The 2025 activity guide lists golf clubs as equipment; check their availability in advance.

Nature experiences nearby

Nearby Port Sorell is a gateway from Thirlstane to Narawntapu National Park. At nearby Narawntapu National Park, visitors can camp, fish, go boating, swim and hike; a permit is required for horse riding. This means there are several activities to choose from in the national park in addition to the golf course. If your travel group has varied interests, golf and nature experiences offer different focuses for planning.

Nearby Narawntapu National Park offers walking trails ranging from short, easy, flat walks to full-day hikes.

Place names for orientation

For orientation, two routes from Thirlstane lead to different destinations: the C707 leads to nearby Port Sorell, while the C709 leads to Squeaking Point. Port Sorell is also relevant as a gateway to the national park; the route details help distinguish these locations when planning.

Discover more destinations: Ross, Port Arthur, Port Latta, Richmond, Coles Bay, Cranbrook, Glaziers Bay, Poatina.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.