REVIEW · QUEENSTOWN
Highlands Taxi – Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park
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Four wheels, zero effort, maximum fun.
At Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park in Cromwell, you ride as a passenger in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo for a private track taxi that feels like race-day, without the training. I like the structure: Lap 1 is a guided 4.1 km circuit tour, and Lap 2 can be dialed to your comfort level and reaches up to 180 km/h. The only real drawback to plan around is time and weather—this is about 15 minutes, and it requires good conditions.
This stop also works as a full family outing, not just a quick ride. The site is known for more than cars, with a top-notch museum setup and virtual reality-style attractions that keep non-track moments interesting, plus those famously practical on-site facilities that make the whole visit easier.
One more thing to consider: it’s designed for small groups (up to 4) and you’re on a purpose-built circuit, so it’s best if you’re in the mood for adrenaline with a tight schedule rather than lingering around the track for ages.
In This Review
- Highlands Taxi in one glance: Porsche + guided track talk
- The two-lap plan that keeps it exciting and understandable
- Lap 1: your guided 4.1 km circuit tour
- Lap 2: speed-up lap tailored to you (up to 180 km/h)
- The Highlands experience goes beyond the Porsche ride
- Who should do the Highlands Taxi (and who might skip it)
- Price and value: what $92.47 per group really buys
- Meeting at Highlands and making the most of your time
- Should you book the Highlands Taxi in Cromwell?
- FAQ
- Where is the Highlands Taxi pickup point?
- How long is the Highlands Taxi experience?
- How many people can ride in one group?
- What vehicle is used for the taxi ride?
- How long is the track lap?
- How fast does Lap 2 go?
- Is this a private tour or do you share with other groups?
- Is the ticket digital?
- Are service animals allowed?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Highlands Taxi in one glance: Porsche + guided track talk
The Highlands Taxi is built for people who want a real motorsport experience, but don’t want to spend a day dealing with gear, registrations, or complicated racing logistics. You arrive at Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park, meet your driver, and climb into a Porsche Cayenne Turbo built for this kind of high-speed circuit work.
You get two laps around the international-standard circuit length of 4.1 km. The first lap is about learning the place, with a guided tour approach. The second lap is where the pace changes, and you can choose how fast you want to go (up to 180 km/h).
The two-lap plan that keeps it exciting and understandable
This is not a mystery ride where you just hope for the best. Highlands runs it like a mini racing lesson with a thrill payoff.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Queenstown.
Lap 1: your guided 4.1 km circuit tour
Lap 1 is the guided portion of the experience. You’ll be taken around the full 4.1 km track while the driver explains what you’re looking at—things like the circuit layout, key features of the course, and the control tower. You also get a behind-the-scenes feel for how Highlands works as a motorsport and tourism venue, so the track stops feeling like random bends and starts feeling like a designed route.
If you like getting context while you travel, this is a big part of the value. It turns the ride into a story you can follow, which also helps you feel calm on the second lap.
Lap 2: speed-up lap tailored to you (up to 180 km/h)
Lap 2 is where you choose your level of intensity. The driver can cater the speed to your liking, and it can reach up to 180 km/h. That matters because it keeps the experience flexible: you can go for full-on speed if that’s your thing, or dial it back if you’re traveling with kids, or if you just want the thrill without feeling like you’re getting forced into anything.
This two-lap format is one reason people come away feeling like the ride was worth it, even though it’s short. You get both pacing and explanation.
The Highlands experience goes beyond the Porsche ride
Even if your main goal is the taxi, you’re starting in the Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park hub. That’s useful because you’re not stuck waiting around in a parking lot. The site has an automotive focus, and the on-site attractions (including virtual reality-style exhibitions and a Wall of Fame setup) help make the whole visit feel like a real motorsport day rather than a standalone ride.
It’s also family-friendly in a practical way. One small detail that matters on vacation: having facilities on-site and keeping the overall visit easy. When a place is set up for families, your day usually flows better.
Who should do the Highlands Taxi (and who might skip it)
This fits best if you:
- Want a high-adrenaline track moment without any driving responsibilities
- Enjoy guided explanations while you’re moving (Lap 1 is doing that work)
- Travel as a small group (up to 4) and want one shared booking
You might skip it if you’re the type who wants a long, slow touring experience, or if you’re not interested in high-speed riding at all. Also, because it depends on good weather, plan it on a day when you have some flexibility.
Price and value: what $92.47 per group really buys
The Highlands Taxi is priced at $92.47 per group for up to 4 people, and it lasts about 15 minutes. That makes the pricing feel more like group entertainment than a pricey individual thrill.
Here’s why that matters: if you’re traveling solo, you might feel like you’re paying for empty seats. If you have two or four people in your group, the per-person cost becomes far easier to justify. With the track length and the two-lap structure, you’re not paying for just one lap around—you’re paying for guided context plus a speed-up lap, delivered in a luxury-performance vehicle.
A booking pattern to keep in mind: this ride is commonly booked about 25 days in advance on average. So if you’re traveling during peak periods, I’d treat it as something to line up early rather than a last-minute gamble.
Meeting at Highlands and making the most of your time
You meet at Highlands Motorsport Park, at the corner of SH6 and Sandflat Road in Cromwell. Your ride ends back at the meeting point, so the experience doesn’t strand you far from where you started.
Since it’s a short ride (about 15 minutes), I recommend treating it like the highlight block of a day, not the whole plan. If the weather is good, you’ll enjoy a smooth, action-focused session. If weather isn’t good, you’ll want a flexible schedule because the experience requires good conditions.
What to wear? Keep it comfortable and weather-appropriate. You’re riding on a purpose-built circuit, so you don’t need anything technical—but it’s still outdoor time around the park, and conditions can change fast in Central Otago.
Should you book the Highlands Taxi in Cromwell?
Book it if you want a clean, high-impact motorsport moment with zero driving effort and a smart two-lap format. The guided Lap 1 is a strong match for anyone who likes understanding what they’re seeing, and the second lap gives you a choice on intensity up to 180 km/h.
Skip it if you’re chasing a long “track day” vibe, or if your trip schedule is too tight to handle weather-dependent plans. Also, be honest about group size: this one shines when you can share the group cost.
If you’re in Central Otago or doing a Queenstown-to-Cromwell day, this is one of those experiences that turns a short stop into a big memory.
FAQ
Where is the Highlands Taxi pickup point?
You start at Highlands Motorsport Park, at the corner of SH6 and Sandflat Road, Sandflat Road, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand.
How long is the Highlands Taxi experience?
It runs for approximately 15 minutes.
How many people can ride in one group?
It’s for up to 4 people per group.
What vehicle is used for the taxi ride?
The taxi ride is in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
How long is the track lap?
The circuit is 4.1 km, and you complete two laps.
How fast does Lap 2 go?
Lap 2 is catered to your liking and can reach up to 180 km/hr.
Is this a private tour or do you share with other groups?
This is private. Only your group participates.
Is the ticket digital?
Yes, it uses a mobile ticket.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.
