Pheasant Wood Circuit
Location
Marulan, New South Wales, Australia
Current Local Time
Track Info
Pheasant Wood Circuit - Marulan, New South Wales, Australia
Compact permanent circuit in the NSW Southern Tablelands - clockwise - technical, heavily cambered and designed to reward precision
When was the track built?
The circuit began life as the Marulan Driver Training Centre, opening in 2009 with a 0.9 km, seven-corner layout. An extension in 2014 increased its length before the property was purchased by businessman and racer Steve Shelley in late 2016.
A major rebuild began in 2017. The track was widened, safety and run-off areas were improved and new corners were constructed through the infield. The redesigned circuit reopened in May 2018 and continued to develop into the approximately 1.6 km venue used today.
When was its first race?
Unlike many traditional race circuits, Pheasant Wood did not begin with one famous opening race. The original venue opened in 2009 primarily as a driver-training facility, with motorsport activities growing as the circuit developed.
The modern Pheasant Wood era effectively began after the major 2017-18 rebuild. Since then it has become a regular home for club competition, supersprints, endurance racing, track days and motorcycle events.
What's the circuit like?
- Short but technical: A lap takes less than a minute in the quickest cars, but there are very few opportunities to relax. Corners arrive quickly and mistakes can compromise the next section.
- Banking matters: Several corners use noticeable camber to help competitors carry speed. Turn 9 is the standout, with approximately 17 degrees of banking as it swings back towards the main straight.
- Great for learning: The relatively low speeds and constant sequence of corners make Pheasant Wood useful for learning braking, racing lines and vehicle control without needing an extremely powerful car.
Power still helps, but a smooth driver who understands the circuit can gain a lot of time by linking the corners together cleanly.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Published outright record: 0:53.7260 - Scott Goodsell, Porsche, 2023.
- Hyundai Excel: 1:02.145 - Tony Gardiner, 2023.
- Deputy 4 Hour Group 1 benchmark: 1:03 breakout time for the 2026 endurance series.
- Deputy 4 Hour Group 2 benchmark: 1:05 breakout time, with the Cheap Car Challenge set at 1:09.
Breakout times are class limits used to keep endurance racing competitive rather than outright lap records.
Why go?
Pheasant Wood offers a more intimate motorsport experience than Australia's larger circuits. Its compact layout puts the action close together, while events range from open track days and supersprints to the grassroots Deputy 4 Hour car series and small-capacity motorcycle endurance racing.
It is also a circuit where ordinary enthusiasts can participate. Driver coaching, licensing, track days and race-car hire are available, making it approachable for newcomers as well as experienced competitors.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight and pit area: A good choice for first-time visitors, with starts, finishes, pit activity and the exit of the final corner nearby.
- Turn 9: The circuit's signature corner. Its 17-degree banking lets cars carry surprising speed onto the main straight.
- Higher viewing areas: Because Pheasant Wood is so compact, elevated positions can offer views across several corners rather than just one section of track.
Spectator access varies between events, so follow event signage and instructions when choosing a viewing area.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Pheasant Wood Circuit (Marulan, New South Wales)
Pheasant Wood Circuit is a compact motorsport venue near Marulan in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Driving or hiring a car is the easiest way to arrive, although Marulan has a railway station that can work if you arrange a taxi or pickup for the final journey.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Sydney: follow the M31 Hume Motorway south towards Goulburn and leave the motorway for Marulan. From town, follow local roads towards Jerrara Road and Prairie Oak Road.
- From Canberra: head towards Goulburn using the Federal Highway, then join the Hume Motorway towards Marulan before following navigation to Prairie Oak Road.
- Navigation: enter 8 Prairie Oak Road, Marulan NSW 2579.
- Parking: vehicles are accommodated within the circuit property during events, but follow organiser instructions because spectator, competitor and trailer areas can differ.
Tip: The circuit is outside Marulan itself, so make sure your navigation is taking you to Prairie Oak Road rather than simply the centre of town.
Train
- Marulan Station: the closest railway station and part of the Southern Highlands Line network.
- From Sydney: services run south through the Southern Highlands towards Goulburn, with some trains stopping at Marulan.
- Station → circuit: there is no regular public bus from Marulan Station to Pheasant Wood, so arrange a taxi, lift or pre-booked pickup.
- Check your train: not every Southern Highlands service follows the same stopping pattern, so confirm that your chosen train actually stops at Marulan.
Transport for NSW publishes planned trackwork shortly before travel dates, so check again before a weekend journey.
Bus & local transport
Marulan is a small regional town, so local public transport is much more limited than in Sydney or Canberra.
- No circuit bus: there is no regular public bus taking spectators directly to Pheasant Wood Circuit.
- Taxi or pickup: arrange the final trip before arriving in Marulan rather than assuming a vehicle will be waiting at the station.
- Event shuttles: only rely on a shuttle if your particular organiser specifically advertises one.
Airports & transfers
- Canberra Airport (CBR): the closest practical major airport for many visitors and a straightforward starting point for a rental-car journey.
- Rental car: Canberra Airport has several on-site providers, making this the simplest option for a race weekend.
- Sydney Airport (SYD): useful if you need a much wider selection of domestic or international flights.
- From Sydney Airport: hiring a car is normally easier than combining airport transport, regional trains and a final taxi to the circuit.
Race-day tips
- Check your event: Pheasant Wood hosts track days, driver training, motorcycle events and race meetings, so spectator access and arrival times vary.
- Food & water: availability can depend on the organiser. Some circuit events specifically tell visitors to bring their own food and plenty of water.
- Marulan: the town has cafés, shops and a supermarket, so it is a useful place to buy supplies before heading to the circuit.
- 2026 events: the venue remains active, with car and motorcycle meetings scheduled throughout the year.
Bring anything essential with you rather than assuming every event will have the same catering or spectator facilities.
Camping & staying nearby
- Camping: general spectator camping is not advertised as a standard facility for every event, so confirm with the organiser before planning to stay at the circuit.
- Marulan: the closest and simplest base if you want to minimise your morning drive.
- Goulburn: around half an hour away and offers a much wider selection of hotels, motels, restaurants and shops.
- Major events: book accommodation early when a larger race meeting is taking place.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: arriving by car is normally easiest because public transport does not reach the circuit entrance.
- Before travelling: contact Pheasant Wood Circuit or your event organiser to confirm the most suitable parking, drop-off and viewing arrangements.
- Coming by train: check the accessibility details for your chosen Southern Highlands service and arrange an appropriate vehicle for the final transfer.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take the Hume Motorway to Marulan and navigate to 8 Prairie Oak Road.
- Coming by train? Use Marulan Station, then arrange a taxi or pickup for the final journey.
- Flying? Canberra Airport is the closest practical choice; Sydney Airport offers more flight options.
Check Pheasant Wood Circuit and Transport for NSW shortly before travelling, as event access, train stopping patterns and trackwork can change.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Pheasant Wood Circuit (Marulan, New South Wales)
Whether you’re here for a track day, club race, motorcycle event or driver training, Pheasant Wood Circuit puts you in the countryside between Sydney and Canberra - with Goulburn’s museums, Southern Tablelands scenery and Bungonia’s dramatic gorges all within reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- The Big Merino: Goulburn’s enormous concrete ram is an easy family photo stop, with an exhibition inside explaining Australia’s wool industry.
- Adventure Playground: This large Goulburn play area has equipment aimed at different ages, making it useful when younger visitors need to burn off energy after a day beside the track.
- Belmore Park: Stop in central Goulburn for gardens, open lawns and a relaxed picnic while exploring the city centre.
- Marulan: Keep things simple with a stroll through the small historic township, local shops and countryside surrounding the circuit.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Goulburn Historic Waterworks: Explore a preserved 19th-century pumping station beside the Wollondilly River and learn how one of inland Australia’s early cities supplied its residents with water.
- Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum: Discover local military history before climbing to the memorial precinct for panoramic views over Goulburn.
- Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre: Railway enthusiasts can explore locomotives, rolling stock and workshop history on scheduled opening and tour days.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Marulan: The closest option for a straightforward café, pub or takeaway meal without adding much driving to your track day.
- Central Goulburn: Head south for a much broader selection of cafés, pubs and restaurants around Auburn Street and the surrounding CBD.
- Country bakery stop: Meat pies, sausage rolls and pastries are an easy Southern Tablelands breakfast when you have an early circuit start.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Bungonia National Park: See the spectacular Bungonia Slot Canyon from easily reached lookouts or tackle longer walks through woodland, rainforest and gorge country.
- Goulburn riverside walks: Follow sections of the Wollondilly River and city walking network for a much gentler option between race days.
Bungonia also attracts experienced climbers, cavers and canyoners, but its harder routes require suitable skills and equipment. Families can stick to the lookouts and easier marked walks.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Goulburn: Combine the Big Merino, Historic Waterworks, Rocky Hill and the city’s heritage architecture for an easy full day south of the circuit.
- Bungonia National Park: Pack a picnic and make a nature day of the gorge lookouts and walking tracks, choosing a route that matches your experience.
- Southern Highlands: Head north towards Bundanoon, Berrima and the surrounding villages for historic streets, cafés, countryside and bushwalking.
Good to know when visiting Pheasant Wood Circuit
- Check the event calendar: Pheasant Wood hosts open track days, training, endurance events and historic racing, so public access and spectator arrangements vary by date.
- It is deliberately technical: The relatively short lap means driving is focused more on braking, cornering and rhythm than extremely high straight-line speeds.
- Noise limits apply: Vehicles using Pheasant Wood are currently required to comply with a 95 dB(A) at 30 metres drive-by limit.
- A car is strongly recommended: The circuit sits in rural bushland outside Marulan, and the main attractions around Goulburn and Bungonia are spread over a wide area.
Circuit access, event schedules, museum opening days and national-park conditions can change - check live information before travelling.