Outdoor
Go Karting in South Island
Your ultimate guide to go-karting in South Island.
In the South Island, go-karting is often part of a larger adventure. While Christchurch serves as the traditional urban hub with multiple indoor options, the rest of the island integrates karting into its tourism landscape. In Queenstown/Cromwell, you can race on a track that sits alongside a professional circuit, while Wanaka offers a unique gravity-driven "Mountain Carting" experience. Nelson and Invercargill anchor the ends of the island with dedicated local tracks that punch above their weight.
Christchurch is the volume leader, offering two distinct choices. Supa Karts provides the traditional indoor gas-powered experience, perfect for those who love the sound and smell of an engine. In contrast, Game Over Christchurch brings the modern electric vibe with high-torque karts and a tech-heavy facility.
The Queenstown & Central Otago region is the jewel in the crown. Highlands Motorsport Park (Cromwell) offers arguably the most scenic go-kart track in the country, a 650m outdoor loop surrounded by mountains. Nearby, Cardrona Alpine Resort offers "Mountain Carting"—a gravity-fueled descent on three-wheeled trikes that is unlike any traditional karting experience.
In Nelson, Pro Karts is a standout outdoor facility. It runs high-spec Sodi RT8 gas karts on a technical outdoor track, making it a favorite for summer tourists and serious racers alike.
Invercargill keeps the action alive in the deep south with Xtreme Karts, an indoor track that specializes in a drift-style surface, requiring different skills than high-grip racing.
The Dunedin Situation: Notably, Dunedin currently lacks a permanent commercial go-kart rental track. The local scene is defined by the KartSport Dunedin club, which is for private kart owners and competitive racing, rather than daily public rentals.
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13 kart tracks
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KartSport Dunedin
Dunedin City, Otago
Indoor
Xtreme Karts
Invercargill, Southland
Indoor
Game Over Christchurch
Christchurch, Canterbury
Outdoor
Kartsport Westland
Greymouth, West Coast
Outdoor
KartSport Nelson
Redwood Valley, Tasman & Nelson
Indoor
Action Kart Raceway
Christchurch, Canterbury
Indoor
Game Over Queenstown
Queenstown, Otago
Outdoor
Highlands Go Karts
Cromwell, Otago
Outdoor
Kartsport Canterbury
Christchurch, Canterbury
Outdoor
KartSport Marlborough
Witherlea, Marlborough
Outdoor
KartSport Southland
Otatara, Southland
Outdoor
Pro Karts Nelson
Tāhunanui, Tasman & Nelson
Indoor
Supa Karts
Christchurch, Canterbury
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Go karting in South Island - FAQs
Common questions about karting in the South Island.
Currently, no. Dunedin does not have a permanent commercial go-kart rental facility. Residents often travel to Cromwell (Highlands) or Invercargill (Xtreme Karts) for racing.
Found at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Mountain Carting uses gravity-powered three-wheeled trikes. There is no engine; you take a ski lift up and race down trails using gravity and brakes to control your speed. It is distinct from traditional motorized go-karting.
Both are owned by the same group and offer a very similar high-quality electric experience. Game Over Christchurch generally has a slightly longer lap time/track layout, but Queenstown offers the bonus of being located near the remarkable Remarkables mountain range.