Highlands Motorsport Park
Location
Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand
Current Local Time
Track Info
Highlands Motorsport Park - Cromwell, New Zealand
Scenic multi-layout circuit in Central Otago - known for Formula Regional racing, endurance events and dramatic views of the surrounding mountains
When was the track built?
The idea for Highlands began with a group of local motorsport enthusiasts who wanted to create a permanent circuit near Queenstown. Businessman and racing driver Tony Quinn later purchased the project and oversaw its completion.
Highlands opened in 2013 near Cromwell. It was designed as both a racing venue and a visitor attraction, with a museum, karting circuit and driving experiences operating alongside the main track.
What's the circuit like?
- Long and technical: The full lap contains many different braking points and corner combinations, making it difficult to learn quickly.
- Frequent elevation changes: Crests and dips affect visibility, braking and the amount of grip available to the driver.
- Bridge crossing: One part of the track passes over another, allowing the circuit to fit more corners into a compact area.
- Changing rhythm: Fast sweeping bends are mixed with tight hairpins and slower sections where traction becomes especially important.
How did it become famous?
The inaugural Highlands 101 endurance race was held in November 2013. Australian GT cars competed over 101 laps, with Tony Quinn and Fabian Coulthard winning in an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
The circuit later became a regular Formula Regional Oceania venue. It hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix for the first time in 2024, bringing one of the country's most important motor races to the South Island.
What races here?
- Formula Regional Oceania: Young single-seater drivers compete in cars designed as a step towards international Formula 3 and Formula 2.
- New Zealand Grand Prix: The historic national race now forms the headline event of selected Formula Regional weekends.
- GT and endurance racing: Powerful sports cars compete in longer events involving pit stops, driver changes and tyre strategy.
- GR86 and touring cars: Production-based categories provide close racing with more familiar-looking vehicles.
- Historic and club events: Classic cars, muscle cars, amateur competitors and sprint events fill much of the wider calendar.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Formula Regional race lap: 1:28.830 - Liam Sceats in a Tatuus FT-60, February 2024.
- Toyota Racing Series: 1:28.910 - Liam Lawson in a Tatuus FT-50, January 2019.
- GT3 race lap: 1:31.365 - Craig Baird in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, November 2016.
- Demonstration benchmark: 1:23.75 - Liam Lawson in a Rodin FZED, January 2022.
The Rodin lap was completed during a demonstration and is not an official race record. Different circuit configurations also produce separate lap times.
What else is at Highlands?
The complex contains a 650 m outdoor karting track, the National Motorsport Museum, public driving experiences and organised high-speed passenger laps. Visitors may also be able to drive their own cars around the full circuit during controlled track-lap events.
The museum displays road and racing vehicles connected with New Zealand and international motorsport, making Highlands accessible even when no major race meeting is taking place.
Why go?
Highlands has one of the most scenic settings in New Zealand motorsport. The circuit sits among the dry hills, vineyards and mountains of Central Otago, providing wide views beyond the racing surface.
It also offers more activities than a traditional circuit. Visitors can combine a race meeting with karting, a museum visit or a passenger ride around the track.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight and pit building: Best for race starts, pit stops, grid activity and the chequered flag.
- Opening corners: Good for crowded first laps, heavy braking and early overtaking attempts.
- Bridge section: A distinctive location where cars pass through different levels of the circuit in quick succession.
- Elevated viewing areas: Best for seeing several corners while appreciating the surrounding Central Otago landscape.
- Paddock: Useful for viewing the cars, drivers and team preparation when public access is included.
Highlands Motorsport Park is beside State Highway 6 near Cromwell, approximately 45 minutes by car from Queenstown. Grandstands, paddock access, parking and public activities vary between events, so check the latest visitor information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Highlands Motorsport Park (New Zealand)
Highlands Motorsport Park is beside Cromwell in Central Otago, around 45 minutes from Queenstown. Driving is the easiest way to visit, but long-distance buses and airport shuttles stop in Cromwell, where you can arrange a taxi or lift for the final few kilometres.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is straightforward because Highlands sits directly beside State Highway 6 on the southern edge of Cromwell.
- From Queenstown: follow State Highway 6 east through the Kawarau Gorge towards Cromwell.
- From Wānaka: follow State Highway 6 south towards Cromwell.
- From Dunedin: approach through Central Otago via Alexandra and State Highway 8.
- Navigation: search for “Highlands Motorsport Park”.
Save the destination as Corner SH6 & Sandflat Road, Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand.
Bus & public transport
There is no passenger railway or regular local bus directly to Highlands, but Cromwell is served by long-distance coaches and regional shuttle services.
- Travel to Cromwell. InterCity services stop at Lode Lane near the town centre.
- From Queenstown Airport: SkyDrive services also stop in Cromwell on selected journeys.
- From Cromwell: arrange a taxi, private transfer or lift for the short journey to Highlands.
Cromwell is only around five minutes from the circuit by car, but arrange your final transfer in advance because there is no dedicated year-round circuit shuttle.
Flying in
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is the most convenient airport for Highlands and handles both domestic and international flights.
- Rental car: the easiest option for travelling directly to Cromwell and the circuit.
- Airport transfer: pre-booked shuttle services operate from Queenstown Airport towards Cromwell.
- Taxi or private transfer: possible for a direct journey, although the distance makes it more expensive.
- Winter travel: allow extra time when frost, snow or poor conditions affect roads through Central Otago.
The drive is scenic but includes the winding Kawarau Gorge, so allow more than the normal 45 minutes during busy or difficult conditions.
Parking & camping
Highlands has extensive space around the venue, but spectator parking and entrances change according to the event.
- Race events: spectator vehicles can be directed through either Sandflat Road or Cemetery Road.
- Follow event staff: Highlands states that parking locations vary between meetings.
- Do not block access roads: vehicles outside designated areas may be moved or towed.
- Camping: available at selected events but must be pre-booked and is restricted to designated camping areas.
Check your individual event guide before arriving because a large New Zealand Grand Prix weekend may use a different traffic plan from a smaller club meeting.
Where to stay
Cromwell is the most convenient base, while Queenstown and Wānaka provide much larger selections of accommodation.
- Cromwell: approximately five minutes from Highlands and ideal for a multi-day race weekend.
- Queenstown: around 45 minutes away with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and flights.
- Wānaka: also around 45 minutes away and a good alternative if you are touring Central Otago.
Accommodation in Cromwell can become busy around major motorsport events, so booking early is worthwhile.
Understanding the circuit
Highlands is much more than a race circuit. It operates throughout the year as a motorsport and visitor attraction, even when no race meeting is taking place.
- Opened: 2013.
- Full circuit: approximately 4.1 km.
- Licence: FIA Grade 3.
- Major racing: the venue hosts the New Zealand Grand Prix and other national championship events.
- Other attractions: the complex includes a motorsport museum, go-kart track, driving experiences, mini golf and café.
The circuit can use several shorter configurations, so your event may not necessarily use the entire 4.1 km layout.
Race-day tips
- Check your entrance: Sandflat Road and Cemetery Road are both used during race meetings.
- Arrive early: major events can create queues around Cromwell and the circuit approaches.
- Prepare for strong sun: Central Otago has an exposed, dry climate with limited shade in some spectator areas.
- Bring layers: temperatures can change quickly, particularly early and late in the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Highlands is a large venue and expect plenty of walking.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children and spectators close to the circuit.
For a first visit, staying in Cromwell and driving to Highlands is the easiest plan. From Queenstown, allow at least 45 minutes and additional time for race-day traffic.
Parking, camping, entrance gates and event-day traffic arrangements can change between meetings. Public transport does not normally serve the circuit directly, so check the official Highlands event information and current transport timetables before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Highlands Motorsport Park (Cromwell, New Zealand)
Highlands Motorsport Park is a modern racing and driving complex surrounded by the mountains, vineyards and dry landscapes of Central Otago. Its 4.1 km international circuit hosts racing and driving experiences, while karting, a motorsport museum, Lake Dunstan and historic gold-mining country give first-time visitors plenty to do beyond the track.
Family-friendly highlights at & near the track
- National Motorsport Museum: Stay at Highlands to see competition cars and motoring displays, plus interactive attractions that make the museum approachable even for visitors who know little about racing.
- Highlands Go-Karts: Race around a 650 m outdoor kart circuit with single and tandem karts available. Check age and height requirements before booking.
- Cromwell Heritage Precinct: Explore restored historic buildings beside Lake Dunstan, with small galleries, shops and cafés showing what the old gold-rush town looked like.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- National Motorsport Museum: The easiest indoor option for race fans, and one that can be combined with karting or another Highlands experience.
- Goldfields Mining Centre: Discover how miners lived and worked during Central Otago's gold rush, with historic remains beside the Kawarau Gorge.
- Cromwell Heritage Precinct: The old bakehouse, cottages and local businesses make this a simple cultural stop without needing a full day.
Eat & drink around Cromwell
- Cromwell: The town centre and lakefront have cafés, bakeries and casual restaurants suitable for breakfast before the track or dinner afterwards.
- Central Otago fruit: The Cromwell Basin is famous for cherries and other stone fruit, with roadside orchards and seasonal stalls throughout the area.
- Bannockburn wine: Nearby vineyards are particularly well known for Pinot Noir. Book a tour or arrange a non-drinking driver if you plan to visit several cellar doors.
Get outdoors between track days
- Lake Dunstan Trail: Walk or cycle sections of the lakeside route linking Cromwell with Clyde. The easier stretches around Cromwell work well if you only have a few hours.
- Bannockburn Sluicings: Walk through a landscape shaped by historic gold mining, with old water races, workings and dramatic dry Central Otago scenery.
- Lake Dunstan: Boating, fishing and relaxed lakeside stops are easy to combine with a race weekend without travelling far from town.
Central Otago is dry and exposed. Carry water and sun protection in summer, while winter mornings can be extremely cold.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Arrowtown: Walk past preserved cottages and gold-mining sites in one of the region's most attractive historic settlements.
- Wānaka: Head north for lake and mountain scenery, walking trails and a relaxed town centre.
- Queenstown: Allow a full day for Lake Wakatipu, restaurants, adventure activities and mountain views in New Zealand's best-known alpine resort town.
Good to know before visiting
- You do not need a race weekend: Highlands operates visitor experiences including karting, the museum and high-speed passenger rides outside major meetings.
- You can drive the circuit on selected dates: Track Laps Breakfast events allow road-car drivers to complete controlled laps behind a pace car when scheduled.
- Check which layout is being used: Racing and sprint events can use shorter combinations rather than the full 4.1 km circuit.
- A car is the easiest option: Central Otago's attractions are spread across a wide rural area, so driving gives you much more flexibility.
- Bring hearing protection: Race cars can be extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, track experiences, kart availability, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.