Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit is a legendary motor racing track situated on Mount Panorama/Wahluu in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Stretching 6.213 km through mountain terrain, it doubles as a public road outside race weekends and is home to the iconic Bathurst 1000 and Bathurst 12 Hour events. Its dramatic elevation changes, blind corners, and unforgiving barriers have made it one of the most celebrated and challenging circuits in world motorsport.
At a glance
- Type
- Permanent street circuit / public road
- Period
- Opened 1938; continually developed through the 20th–21st century
- Style
- Mountain street circuit with significant elevation change
- Location
- Mount Panorama/Wahluu, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Coordinates
- 33.4395° S, 149.5584° E
Overview
Mount Panorama Circuit is a 6.213 km (3.861 mi) motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, on Mount Panorama/Wahluu. It is best known as the home of the Bathurst 1000, held each October, and the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance event, held each February. Unusually for a permanent racing facility, the circuit functions as a public road when no racing events are scheduled, with private residences that can only be accessed via the circuit itself.
History
Racing at Mount Panorama dates to 1938, when the circuit was first used for motorsport on what were then public mountain roads above the town of Bathurst. The event grew in prestige through the mid-20th century, eventually becoming the Bathurst 1000 — Australia’s most celebrated endurance race. Over the decades, the circuit was progressively upgraded with armco barriers, pit facilities, and spectator infrastructure, while retaining the essential mountain character that defines it.
What you see
The circuit climbs steeply from Pit Straight up Mountain Straight to the iconic Skyline and The Dipper sections near the summit, then plunges back down via Forrest’s Elbow to the flat back section. Elevation change across the lap exceeds 174 metres, creating the dramatic topography that defines the Mount Panorama experience. Spectators gather on the hillsides for panoramic views of multiple sections of the course, giving the venue a natural amphitheatre quality unique in international racing.
Cultural significance
Mount Panorama holds a place in Australian national identity comparable to few other sporting venues, with the Bathurst 1000 regarded as a rite of passage for Australian touring car racing drivers. The circuit’s status as a public road — open to ordinary traffic outside race weeks — reinforces its integration into the life of the Bathurst community and makes it genuinely accessible to visitors year-round.
Practical information
- Address
- Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW 2795, Australia
- Access
- The circuit is a public road open to ordinary traffic when no event is scheduled; visitors may drive the full lap
- Admission
- Free to drive outside events; ticketed for Bathurst 1000 (October) and Bathurst 12 Hour (February)
- Hours
- Check official website for event schedule and road-closure periods
Getting there
Bathurst is located approximately 200 km west of Sydney via the Great Western Highway (A32). Regional train services connect Sydney Central to Bathurst (roughly 3 hours). During major race events, additional bus and shuttle services operate from Bathurst station. The circuit entrance on Pit Straight is signposted from the town centre.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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