Highlands Taxi – Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park

Fast fun, no racing license required. The Highlands Taxi gives you two laps of a 4.1-kilometre circuit in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, with a professional driver handling the work while you enjoy the speed. I like the mix of trackside excitement and useful commentary, and I like that up to four people can share one private booking. The main thing to consider is the short running time, about 15 minutes, so this is a quick thrill rather than a full-day activity.

The first lap is calm enough to take in the circuit, control tower, and story behind Highlands. The second can reach up to 180 km/hr, depending on the pace you want and the conditions. I would also check the final price before paying, as the supplied fare is $92.47 per group while the venue information also refers to $129 for four.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different laps: Lap one explains the circuit, while lap two brings the speed.
• Porsche Cayenne Turbo: You get a chauffeured ride in a high-performance luxury SUV rather than driving yourself.
• Private group booking: Your group of up to four shares the car and the experience.
• Professional drivers: Steve, Paul, and other Highlands drivers have earned especially warm praise for their friendly manner and track knowledge.
• Cromwell location: Highlands is on SH 6 at Sandflat Road, about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What the Highlands Taxi actually is

The Highlands Taxi is not a road transfer. It is a short passenger ride around the purpose-built Highlands Motorsport Park circuit in Cromwell, Central Otago.

You sit in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo while an expert driver takes the wheel. This makes the experience accessible to people who want the rush of a race circuit but do not want to learn a racing line, manage a powerful car, or put on a helmet and compete.

The format is simple. Your group arrives at Highlands Motorsport Park, meets the driver, and takes two laps of the international-standard 4.1-kilometre track. The first lap is a guided circuit tour. The second is the thrill lap, with speed adjusted to suit the group and reaching as high as 180 km/hr.

That contrast gives the ride more shape than a quick burst of speed. You first learn what you are looking at, then feel how quickly the car can cover it.

Lap one: learning the 4.1-kilometre circuit

The first lap is the more informative part of the ride. Your driver talks you around the circuit and points out its key features, including the control tower and the design of the park.

That commentary matters. Without it, a fast lap can blur into a series of corners and straights. With it, you get a clearer sense of how the circuit works and why Highlands was built as a major motorsport venue.

The driver also shares the story behind the making of Highlands. This gives the first lap a behind-the-scenes feel, rather than making it only a joy ride.

Several drivers receive special praise for this part of the experience. Steve is repeatedly singled out for his friendly welcome, clear explanations, and strong grasp of the circuit. Paul is also praised for making the ride feel exciting while keeping it professional and safe.

You should think of lap one as your chance to get your bearings. Look out at the circuit, listen to the commentary, and save some attention for the second lap.

Lap two: speed in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo

The second lap changes the mood. The driver prepares you for a faster run, then takes the Porsche Cayenne Turbo around the circuit at a pace suited to your group.

The advertised top speed is 180 km/hr. That does not mean every ride reaches that figure. Your pace depends on the driver, weather, track conditions, and what you are comfortable with. This is a useful feature for a mixed group, especially if one person wants a serious rush while another feels less certain.

The Porsche is also a sensible choice for a shared ride. Up to four people can take part together, so you do not need to split the group between separate cars. You get the feel of a performance vehicle, but from a passenger seat with a professional at the controls.

The high-speed lap is brief, but that is part of the appeal. You do not spend hours waiting for the main event. The ride gets to the point quickly. Still, if you want a long track session or several repeated laps, this will feel limited.

The drivers make the difference

A good car helps, but the driver shapes the whole experience. The strongest praise here goes to the Highlands team, especially Steve and Paul.

Steve is described as welcoming, passionate, and full of useful information. His style seems to suit people who enjoy the human side of motorsport, not just the speed. He can explain the circuit during the first lap and then shift the tone for the quicker run.

Paul is praised for giving a ride that felt exciting yet safe. That balance is important in a family group, where one person may be eager for the fastest possible lap and another may need reassurance.

A driver with a clear voice and a friendly manner also makes the 15-minute format work better. There is not much spare time, so good commentary keeps the first lap focused and worthwhile.

The experience is private to your group. That gives you a more personal ride than a shared vehicle filled with unrelated people. It also lets your group set the tone, from relaxed sightseeing to a stronger appetite for speed.

Why the wider Highlands visit adds value

The taxi ride is the headline activity, but Highlands offers more than the circuit. The venue includes a motorsport museum, a Wall of Fame, and virtual reality exhibitions.

The museum contains notable cars and displays connected to New Zealand motorsport. The Wall of Fame adds local sporting context, while the virtual reality exhibits offer a different way to engage with racing.

These extras matter because the taxi itself is short. If you arrive early or stay after the ride, the wider park can turn a 15-minute activity into a more complete stop.

The venue also displays important New Zealand racing cars, including a Bathurst-winning Supercar associated with Shane van Gisbergen and Earl Bamber. The supplied material also refers to Stanaway in connection with the car display. For anyone interested in New Zealand motor racing, this gives the visit more substance than a simple passenger lap.

There are also memorable practical touches around the park. One family specifically enjoyed the unusual toilets, and several people refer to them with amusement. That may sound minor, but it reflects the venue’s playful motorsport character.

You should not assume every extra feature is included in the taxi fare unless confirmed at the time of booking. The useful point is that Highlands gives you more to see than the car ride alone.

Price and value for a group of four

The supplied price is $92.47 per group, for up to four people. That works out to about $23.12 each if four people share the booking.

At that rate, the taxi offers strong value for a private, chauffeured run in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. You are not paying for a standard road transfer. You are paying for access to a purpose-built race circuit, an informative first lap, and a fast second lap with a professional driver.

The group price is especially helpful for families and small parties. A solo visitor pays the same group rate, so the value is much better when all four seats are used.

There is a price detail worth checking. The experience information also says $129 for four people, while the stated booking price is $92.47 per group. Prices can change or vary by booking channel, so confirm the total before you finalize the reservation.

The short duration is the main limit on value. Fifteen minutes passes quickly, especially once you allow for getting ready and returning to the meeting point. I would judge the price against the full visit to Highlands, including the museum and other displays, rather than treating the taxi as a standalone half-day activity.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the Highlands Taxi to several types of visitors:

• Families who want a shared thrill without putting children or less confident adults behind the wheel.
• Couples who want a quick motorsport activity during a Central Otago day trip.
• Car fans who enjoy both the machinery and the story behind the circuit.
• People who want speed but prefer a professional driver to handle the car.
• Small groups looking for a private activity with a clear start and finish.

It is also a good option for a mixed group. The first lap is calm and informative, while the second offers more force and speed. The driver can adjust the pace to the group’s preference, according to the experience details.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone seeking a long driving session, repeated hot laps, or time to practice racing skills. You are a passenger throughout. The appeal is the guided ride, not learning to drive the circuit yourself.

Location, timing, and planning your visit

Highlands Motorsport Park is at the corner of SH 6 and Sandflat Road in Cromwell, postcode 9384. It is described as about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, making it a practical stop when exploring Central Otago.

The activity begins and ends at the same meeting point. There is no separate drop-off at another location, so plan your onward transport from Highlands.

The average booking lead time is 25 days. That does not mean you must always reserve exactly that far ahead, but it is a useful sign that you should not leave this until the last hour if your itinerary is fixed.

You receive a mobile ticket, which makes the practical side simple. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the ride, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, so keep an eye on the local start time.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is private, but you should still check any personal mobility or seating concerns with the operator before booking, as the supplied information does not give further detail.

A smart way to fit it into your day

I would allow time around the 15-minute ride rather than driving to Highlands for the taxi alone.

Arrive with enough time to check in, meet the driver, and settle your group. After the ride, visit the museum, Wall of Fame, and virtual reality exhibitions if they are part of your planned stop. The motorsport displays can help you understand the cars and drivers connected with the park.

For a family, this wider visit gives the non-racing members of the group something to enjoy before or after the ride. For a car enthusiast, it adds context to the circuit and gives you more time to look at New Zealand racing machinery.

Keep your schedule flexible if possible. The ride depends on good weather, and a tight onward connection could become awkward if conditions cause a change.

The main strengths and limitations

The best feature is the balance between instruction and action. You are not simply rushed around a track with no idea what you are seeing. The first lap explains the circuit, then the second shows what the Porsche and driver can do.

The group format is another strong point. Four people can share a private vehicle, which keeps the cost sensible and makes the activity feel social.

The staff also add real value. Steve and Paul are praised for being friendly, professional, and engaging. That personal welcome seems to be a major part of why the ride leaves such a good impression.

The main drawback is time. A 15-minute activity can feel over quickly, even when the two laps are well planned. The price difference between the stated fare and the $129 figure also means you should verify the current total.

Weather is another consideration. A wet circuit can affect the speed experience, and poor conditions may lead to cancellation or rescheduling. That is not unusual for a motorsport activity, but it matters if your Central Otago plan is packed.

Should you book the Highlands Taxi?

Book it if you want a short, memorable hit of motorsport and can fill the rest of your Highlands visit with the museum and displays. It is particularly good value for four people sharing the group price.

I would choose this over a self-drive activity if you want to relax and enjoy the circuit rather than concentrate on steering. The first lap gives you useful context, and the second supplies the proper rush.

Skip it if you need a long activity, want to drive yourself, or are unlikely to enjoy a fast ride in a confined car. For everyone else, the Highlands Taxi is a smart Central Otago stop, especially when Steve or another of the praised Highlands drivers is on duty and the weather cooperates.

FAQ

Where does the Highlands Taxi begin and end?

It begins at Highlands Motorsport Park, at the corner of SH 6 and Sandflat Road in Cromwell, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join one booking?

One group can include up to four people.

How long does the Highlands Taxi last?

The experience lasts approximately 15 minutes.

What car is used for the ride?

The ride takes place in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

How fast can the second lap go?

The second lap can reach up to 180 km/hr, with the pace adjusted to suit the group and conditions.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the ride?

You can be offered another date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.