Historic town of Bothwell on course to see golf tourism drive renewal of Central Highlands

A GOLFING entrepreneur predicts Bothwell has the potential to open up the Highlands region to an unprecedented tourism surge.

CONVICT-built farm outhouses being skilfully transformed into colonial-era accommodation in the Tasmanian hamlet of Bothwell have the potential to open up the Highlands region to an unprecedented tourism surge, golfing entrepreneur Greg Ramsay predicts.

Ratho Farm, the historic, 19th-century links course that sits on Mr Ramsay’s family property an hour north of Hobart, has launched its full 18-hole experience, and once on-course accommodation comes online in April, it will provide quarters for up to 40 guests.

However, Mr Ramsay, the driving force behind the acclaimed Barnbougle Dunes resort near Bridport, said the quaint collection of former stables, dairy and blacksmith shed would not just house the travelling golf community but fill a gap in the overall Highlands tourism market.

“All the buildings here were built between 1822 and 1827, with a large stables, which my great grandfather turned into a cookhouse for the shearers,” Mr Ramsay said.

“We think that Bothwell has got a lot of activities and attractions, but it has just always lacked somewhere to stay that is both a high quality and for high volumes.

“We feel that, particularly with the Highlands’ lakes fishing booming, we can be a link between the Highlands, Salamaca Market and MONA, which is only 40 minutes away.”

Mr Ramsay said Ratho Farm would eventually operate along the same lines as his Bridport creation, with a central clubhouse in Ratho’s grand homestead augmented by a series of smaller, offset accommodation options.

And the project, funded by a $1.1 million commercial loan through the Tasmanian Development Board, has also delivered a boost to regional employment, with 22 jobs created during the construction phases and the ongoing operation to employ 11 to 15 people, depending on seasonality.

But the golf tourism development would only realise its true potential once the gravel section of the Highland Lakes Rd was finally sealed, Mr Ramsay said.

“We think this accommodation will open up the state by linking Hobart to the Central Highlands, but we really want to see the Highland Lakes Rd sealed through to the Great Lake because at the moment there is 20 minutes of gravel.

“As soon as it is sealed, everyone coming off the ferry going to Hobart will have a quick way through. It’s already 40 minutes quicker and sealed it would be an hour.’’

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