Mallala Motorsport Park
Location
Mallala, South Australia, Australia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Mallala Motorsport Park - Mallala, South Australia
Historic former airbase circuit north of Adelaide - known for hard braking, compact sight lines and more than six decades of Australian motorsport
When was the track built?
Mallala was created after South Australian motorsport needed a replacement for the Port Wakefield circuit. A group of enthusiasts purchased part of the former RAAF base at public auction in 1961 and converted its taxiways and surrounding land into a permanent racecourse.
The original 3.38 km layout opened that August. In late 1964, one section was removed and Bosch Curve was brought closer to the grandstand, reducing the lap to approximately 2.6 km.
Full-time racing ended in 1971, but businessman and competitor Clem Smith later rescued the property. The circuit regained its competition licence and returned to regular racing in 1982.
When was its first race?
The opening meeting took place on 19 August 1961. Bib Stillwell won the main event in a Cooper-Climax.
Mallala's second meeting was the 1961 Australian Grand Prix. Lex Davison won in a Cooper T51, earning his fourth and final victory in the event.
What's the circuit like?
- Heavy braking: Several slow corners follow meaningful acceleration zones, creating opportunities for overtaking.
- Stop-and-start rhythm: Drivers repeatedly accelerate, brake and rotate the vehicle rather than maintaining one continuous flow.
- Technical exits: A poor exit from one of the hairpins costs speed along the following section.
- Exposed conditions: Its rural setting can produce heat, wind, dust and rapidly changing grip levels.
Mallala rewards disciplined braking and strong traction. Trying to enter a corner too quickly can compromise the exit and leave a driver vulnerable along the next straight.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Formula Holden: 1:02.570 - Paul Stokell, Reynard, 1994.
- Formula 3: 1:03.4078 - Calan Williams, Dallara F311, 2017.
- Sports Sedan: 1:05.6328 - Tony Ricciardello, Alfa Romeo-Chevrolet, 2014.
- Superbike: 1:05.767 - Daniel Falzon, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2021.
- GT3: 1:07.6377 - Mark Rosser, Audi R8 LMS GT3, 2021.
- Group 3A Touring Car: 1:08.1437 - Greg Murphy, Holden Commodore, 1997.
These are published race-lap benchmarks for different categories. Testing, qualifying and sprint times may use different timing rules and should not be compared directly.
Why is it famous?
Mallala hosted the Australian Grand Prix, Australian Touring Car Championship, Australian Drivers' Championship and numerous national sports-car, motorcycle and Formula Ford events.
From 1989, it became a regular destination for Australia's leading touring-car teams. Drivers including Peter Brock, Dick Johnson, Mark Skaife, Craig Lowndes and Greg Murphy competed here during the circuit's nationally prominent period.
For many years, Mallala was South Australia's principal permanent racing circuit and the centre of the state's club-motorsport community.
What events are held here?
The modern programme includes South Australian circuit-racing championships, historic meetings, Formula Ford, Circuit Excel, HQ Holdens and visiting national categories.
Mallala also hosts open track days, motorcycle ride days, drifting, burnout events, testing and driver training. Its annual Mallala Matsuri provides 12 hours of continuous drifting, while the Homecoming meeting brings national racing back to the venue.
Why go?
The compact layout and surrounding spectator banks provide clear views across much of the circuit. Visitors can watch several corners from one position rather than seeing the cars disappear for most of each lap.
The venue is approximately 45 minutes north of Adelaide. Trackside camping is available for multi-day meetings, with powered and unpowered sites offered for selected events.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight: Best for starts, finishes, grid activity and the pit area.
- Opening corners: Watch closely grouped cars challenge under braking immediately after a restart.
- Northern hairpin: One of the clearest places to see overtaking attempts and different braking techniques.
- Park-and-view areas: At selected events, spectators can watch beside their vehicle from close to the circuit.
Admission, paddock access, camping and park-and-view availability vary between events. Check the organiser's current information before travelling and prepare for limited shade during warmer meetings.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Mallala Motorsport Park (South Australia)
Mallala Motorsport Park is north of Adelaide near the town of Mallala. Driving or hiring a car is the easiest way to arrive, as there is no regular public transport directly to the circuit.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Adelaide: head north using the A1 / Port Wakefield Road corridor towards Two Wells, then follow local roads and signs towards Mallala.
- Navigation: enter 225 Aerodrome Rd, Mallala, SA 5502.
- From Gawler: allow roughly 30 km of road travel to reach the Mallala area.
- Parking: follow event signs and staff instructions when you arrive, as spectator, competitor and paddock areas can vary between meetings.
Tip: Fill up before reaching the circuit if necessary. Mallala is rural, so there are fewer shops and services around the venue than in Adelaide.
Train & public transport
Getting to Mallala without a car is possible, but it requires planning because Adelaide's suburban trains do not continue to the circuit or Mallala township.
- Adelaide → Gawler: Adelaide Metro's Gawler Line connects the city with the Gawler area.
- Gawler → circuit: there is no simple direct regular bus to Mallala Motorsport Park, so arrange a taxi, private transfer or pickup.
- Race days: do not assume an event shuttle will operate unless your organiser specifically advertises one.
For most visitors, particularly on weekends, hiring a car is much easier than completing the journey entirely by public transport.
Adelaide Airport transfers
- Adelaide Airport (ADL): the main airport for visitors travelling to Mallala from interstate or overseas.
- Rental car: the simplest onward option. Major rental companies operate directly from the airport.
- Direct drive: Mallala is roughly 60 km from the airport, so allow around an hour depending on traffic.
- Taxi or rideshare: possible, but the rural location makes a rental car more convenient for a multi-day event.
Camping
- Trackside camping: Mallala offers camping within the motorsport park for all multi-day events.
- Unpowered sites: currently available from $15 per night.
- Powered sites: currently available from $40 per night.
- Amenities: campers receive 24-hour access to secure amenities.
- Other dates: contact the circuit if you want to camp when a multi-day event is not taking place.
Where to stay
- Mallala: closest to the circuit, but accommodation choices are limited.
- Gawler: a useful alternative with more accommodation, shops and services.
- Adelaide: offers the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, but expect a longer drive each race day.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: arriving by car is the simplest option because regular public transport does not reach the circuit.
- Camping: the circuit states that accessible amenities are available within its campground.
- Before travelling: contact Mallala Motorsport Park or your event organiser to confirm accessible parking, entrances and spectator arrangements.
Quick guide
- Driving? Head north from Adelaide towards Two Wells and navigate to 225 Aerodrome Rd, Mallala.
- Coming by train? Travel to Gawler, then arrange a taxi or pickup for the remaining journey.
- Flying? Adelaide Airport is the main choice; hiring a car is the easiest onward option.
Check Mallala Motorsport Park and your event organiser shortly before travelling, as parking, gate times, camping and spectator arrangements can vary between events.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Mallala Motorsport Park (Mallala, South Australia)
Whether you’re here for circuit racing, a track day, drifting or karting, Mallala Motorsport Park puts you on the open Adelaide Plains - with local history, coastal birdlife, Gawler and the Barossa wine region all within easy reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Mallala Kartdrome: Stay at the circuit and try public rental karting. Sessions operate on selected days, so check availability before arriving.
- Mallala Museum: Explore the town’s old flour mill and displays covering farming, everyday life and the former RAAF flying-training base that later became the race circuit.
- Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary: Head towards Thompson Beach for coastal wetlands and mudflats used by thousands of resident and migratory shorebirds.
- Mallala Oval Complex: A simple local option for younger children with a playground, skate ramp, seating and picnic facilities.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Mallala Museum: The museum is the best place to understand the district before visiting the circuit, with military, agricultural and community-history displays.
- Gawler: South Australia’s first country town has historic buildings and self-guided walking and driving routes through its old centre.
- Barossa cellar doors: If the weather turns poor, the famous wine region east of Gawler offers indoor tastings, food experiences and historic estates.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Mallala: Keep things simple with local pub, takeaway and café options when you do not want a long drive after the track.
- Gawler: The larger town provides more cafés, pubs and restaurants while remaining close enough for an easy evening.
- Barossa Valley: Extend dinner into a food-and-wine outing with cellar doors, farm produce and restaurants around Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston.
If you are visiting cellar doors, nominate a driver or arrange transport - the region is spread out and driving is the easiest way to explore it.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary: Walk approved coastal tracks around places such as Thompson Beach and bring binoculars for shorebirds and wetland wildlife.
- Dead Man’s Pass / Yarnpana: This peaceful reserve in Gawler has riverside surroundings suitable for an easy walk or picnic between race days.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Barossa Valley: Explore historic towns, cellar doors, the Barossa Trail, Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and family-friendly attractions without needing to travel into Adelaide.
- Adelaide: Give the city a full day for Adelaide Zoo, museums, the Central Market, riverfront walks and restaurants around the CBD.
- Port Adelaide & Semaphore: Combine transport museums and historic Port Adelaide with a walk or beach stop at Semaphore for an easy city-and-coast outing.
Good to know when visiting Mallala
- Check the exact event: Race meetings, drifting, track days and private activities can have very different spectator and entry arrangements.
- Trackside camping is available: Powered and unpowered sites are offered for multi-day events, with secure amenities accessible around the clock.
- A car is strongly recommended: Mallala is surrounded by rural farmland and attractions are spread across the Adelaide Plains, coast and Barossa.
- Prepare for exposed conditions: Shade can be limited, particularly in summer, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat as well as a layer for cooler or windy days.
Circuit access, karting sessions, camping, museum hours and park conditions can change - check live event and visitor information before travelling.