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MOUNT PANORAMA, NSW
🏁 Racing Circuit

Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit

⭐⭐⭐⭐½4.8/5 (2826 reviews)
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Experience
Iconic public road circuit
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Track
6.213 km · 174 m elevation change
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Drive options
Free to drive at 60 km/h limit
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What's on
Bathurst 1000 · Bathurst 12 Hour
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Licence
Normal road rules apply
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Best for
Every motorsport fan · road trips
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Where
Bathurst, NSW · Central West
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Rating
4.8 / 5 (2,826)

About Mount Panorama

Mount Panorama — Wahluu — is Australia's most iconic motor racing circuit, winding up and over the hills above Bathurst in the state's Central West. The 6.213 km layout is famous for its severe gradients and a 174 m difference between its highest and lowest points, threading a string of legendary, distinctively named corners — Hell Corner, The Cutting, The Dipper and Forrest's Elbow among them. What makes it so special for visitors is that, for most of the year, the track is an ordinary public road: outside race events and event lockdowns you can drive your own car around the full circuit, in either direction, for free. The catch is a strictly enforced 60 km/h speed limit patrolled by Bathurst police — so it's a pilgrimage and a sightseeing lap rather than a hot lap. It is home to the legendary Bathurst 1000 Supercars race and the Bathurst 12 Hour.

6.213 km public roadFree to drive at 60 km/hBathurst 1000 host174 m elevation changeNamed legendary corners

The circuit & what's on

  • A public road, not a private trackFor roughly 51 weeks of the year Mount Panorama is a normal public road with houses that can only be reached via the circuit. You can drive the full 6.213 km loop in your own car, free of charge, in either direction.
  • The 60 km/h ruleThe circuit is a normal road for the purposes of the law: a 60 km/h limit applies and is strictly enforced by Bathurst police, so it is a scenic lap rather than a fast one. There are no public "hot laps" at speed outside of organised events.
  • The famous cornersThe lap takes in Hell Corner, the climb up Mountain Straight, The Cutting, Skyline, The Esses, The Dipper, Forrest's Elbow and the long Conrod Straight — names known to motorsport fans worldwide.
  • Bathurst 1000 & 12 HourThe headline events are the Bathurst 1000 (Supercars) each October and the Bathurst 12 Hour GT endurance race, when the mountain is closed to the public and turned into a full racing circuit.
  • Visitor experiencesThe National Motor Racing Museum sits at the foot of the mountain, and paid hot-lap and driver experiences are offered from time to time by third-party operators around major events — check current availability before travelling.

Good to know

  • Getting thereMount Panorama is on the edge of Bathurst, about a three-hour drive west of Sydney. Access is from the township via Mountain Straight and Pit Straight.
  • When it's open to driveThe road is open most days but closes for race events, official practice and occasional maintenance. Check before you go, especially around the October Bathurst 1000 and the 12 Hour.
  • Obey the limitThe 60 km/h limit is enforced with fines and demerit points; the descent through The Esses and Dipper is steep and tight, so take it carefully whatever the conditions.
  • It's a real neighbourhoodResidents live on the circuit and pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife share the road — drive with the same care as any public street.
  • Free and family-friendlyDriving the lap costs nothing, and lookouts such as the McPhillamy Park area at the top offer sweeping views over Bathurst.

FAQ

Can I drive my own car around Mount Panorama?
Yes. For most of the year Mount Panorama is a public road, and you can drive the full 6.213 km circuit in your own car free of charge, in either direction — except when it is closed for race events, official practice or maintenance.
Is there a speed limit on the track?
Yes. A 60 km/h speed limit applies and is strictly enforced by Bathurst police, with fines and demerit points for breaches. It is a scenic sightseeing lap rather than a chance to drive fast.
How long is the circuit and what are its famous corners?
The circuit is 6.213 km long with a 174 m height difference between its highest and lowest points. Its legendary corners include Hell Corner, The Cutting, Skyline, The Esses, The Dipper and Forrest's Elbow, linked by Mountain Straight and the long Conrod Straight.
What major races are held at Bathurst?
The headline events are the Bathurst 1000 Supercars endurance race each October and the Bathurst 12 Hour GT race. During these events the mountain is closed to the public and run as a full-speed racing circuit.
Can I do a fast lap or hot lap there?
Not on a normal day — the public road is limited to 60 km/h. Paid hot-lap and passenger experiences are sometimes offered by third-party operators around major events, so check current availability if that's what you're after.

Quick facts

  • ExperiencePublic road circuit
  • Track6.213 km · 174 m drop
  • Drive optionsFree · 60 km/h limit
  • Headline eventsBathurst 1000 · 12 Hour
  • AreaBathurst, NSW
  • Rating4.8 / 5 (2,826)

Contact Information

Phone
+61 2 6333 6100
Address
Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama NSW 2795, Mount Panorama, New South Wales

Location