Best Go-Kart Tracks in Hobart

Hobart keeps it simple. There are two genuine kart venues in the immediate area, and between them they cover both ends of the sport, from a high-volume indoor hire track at Kingston to a purpose-built outdoor club circuit at Orielton. Here they are with the ratings and review counts that back them up, ordered by what kind of day you are after rather than ranking alone.

If two venues is not enough, the rest of Tasmania's kart clubs are all in the north and northwest of the state, a genuine road trip from Hobart rather than a day-trip. They are proper outdoor club circuits, so they run on member days and race meetings rather than casual walk-up karting, and several are highly rated by the small number of people who have reviewed them. We have flagged the driving distance plainly on each one so there are no surprises. If you are already heading up the Midland Highway or exploring the north coast, they are worth building into the trip.

Karting is the entry point, but southern Tasmania has more on offer once you catch the bug, and it is worth being clear about what each place actually is. AutoKlene Hobart Raceway at Sorell Creek, about half an hour from the city, is a sealed circuit and speedway rather than a go-kart track, hosting timed laps, driver training and race events, so treat it as a step beyond karting rather than a hire-kart venue. Nearby at Old Beach, Baskerville Raceway is the south's historic permanent circuit and a bucket-list name for local motorsport fans. Further north, Symmons Plains Raceway near Launceston is Tasmania's Supercars circuit and the biggest race venue in the state. If you want the full picture of what is on offer, you can always browse every Tasmanian motorsport listing in our directory.

If go-karting is your first taste of motorsport, it is worth knowing what comes next. Our guide to the different racing experience types in Australia explains how karting compares to circuit days, hot laps and supercar drives, and what to expect at your first track day is essential reading if you are thinking of stepping up. Karting also makes a brilliant present, see our guide to gifting a racing experience. And if you are travelling or comparing cities, the best go-kart tracks in Australia by state rounds up the top venues nationwide, while the Melbourne karting guide covers the much bigger scene across Bass Strait, the closest mainland option if you are chasing a wider choice of tracks.

A few practical notes before you book. Hire karting at Kingston almost always requires closed-in shoes and provides helmets and any other safety gear, so you do not need to bring anything. Minimum age and height requirements vary, so if you are bringing kids, check the specific venue's rules first. Weekends and school holidays get busy, so booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially for groups. Hobart winters are cool and wet, which is a big part of why the indoor track at Kingston is the reliable year-round pick, while the outdoor club circuit at Orielton is best enjoyed in the warmer, drier months and runs on club and race days rather than casual walk-ups. And if you are chasing a genuinely fast lap rather than a casual race, the outdoor club circuit will give you far more than an indoor arena, though it asks more of you in return.