Re-named King Island golf links wears crown as world leader

KING Island’s Ocean Dunes golf course has officially become King Links, King Island, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff unveiling the new branding on Monday, ahead of the opening of the resort’s 48-room hotel next year.

The name change is part of a $38 million redevelopment of the internationally recognised golf course, which will include new accommodation, a clubhouse and restaurant.

The new name was selected after extensive market research, with the King Island king crab adopted as the resort’s visual identity, reflecting the island’s distinctive character, natural environment and links golf.

The 48-room hotel is scheduled to open on February 1, 2027, with a new clubhouse and on-course restaurant planned for early 2028.

The development is supported by a $10 million commercial loan from the state government.

Mr Rockliff said the project would strengthen Tasmania’s position as an international golf destination while providing employment and training opportunities.

“This is an exciting project for King Island and will elevate Tasmania’s position as a leader on the international stage of golf,” he said.

“The re-birth of this spectacular course as King Links, King Island represents the next chapter in our state’s world-class tourism story, strengthened by our government’s $10 million investment as part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

Mr Rockliff  said predominantly Tasmanian workers were employed on the project, including seven local apprentices gaining trade experience.

King Links Resort chair Andrew Muir said the new branding marked an important milestone in the redevelopment.

“The new brand captures what makes this place so special and is a significant milestone in the $38 million upgrade of this bucket-list destination, all of which wouldn’t be made possible without the wonderful support and shared vision of the Tasmanian government,” he said.

The latest plans represent changes to the development originally announced in 2024, when a $35.5 million project incorporating 64 hotel rooms was outlined, with completion anticipated in 2025.

Ocean Dunes, which opened in 2016, has helped establish King Island as an internationally recognised golfing destination alongside Cape Wickham Links.

King Island Mayor Marcus Blackie said the development represented another significant step for the island’s golf tourism industry.

“The relatively recent establishment and success of purist links golf on King Island has been truly visionary and remarkable, and Ocean Dunes, now King Links, as well as Cape Wickham
have been at the vanguard of this exciting development," he said.
"The course rebranding and upcoming opening of the new King Links hotel complex
development in February, will take this whole operation to the next level."