Highlands Taxi – Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park

The Highlands Taxi turns a race circuit into a family ride. You sit in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo while a professional driver takes you around Highlands Motorsport Park near Cromwell. The first lap explains the circuit and its behind-the-scenes story. The second is the thrill ride, with speeds of up to 180 km/hr.

I like the way the experience works for a whole group of up to four, and I like the mix of useful commentary and proper speed. Drivers such as Steve and Paul add a friendly, personal touch. The main drawback is its short length: at about 15 minutes, the ride is over quickly, especially if you have made a long trip from Queenstown.

Highlands Taxi at a glance

• Two very different laps: The first is a guided circuit tour, while the second can reach up to 180 km/hr.
• A Porsche Cayenne Turbo: You get a high-performance SUV rather than a standard passenger car.
• Private for your group: Up to four people can ride together, with no strangers sharing your booking.
• Drivers who add to the experience: Steve and Paul are praised for clear explanations, friendly service, and confident driving.
• A short trip from Queenstown: Highlands is about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, on SH 6 in Cromwell.
• More than a track: The wider park includes a motorsport museum, Wall of Fame, and virtual reality exhibitions.

What the Porsche ride is really like

This is not a taxi in the usual sense. There is no airport transfer and no point-to-point journey. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the vehicle used to carry you around a purpose-built racing circuit at speed.

That format makes the ride a good choice for people who want a motorsport experience without driving themselves. You do not need racing skills, specialist clothing, or the nerve to take a performance car onto the track. You simply settle into the vehicle and let the driver handle the hard work.

The Cayenne also makes this easier for a mixed-age group. Up to four people can ride together, so one booking can cover a family or small group. The private setup matters here. You are not being added to a larger circuit session with strangers, and your group shares the whole short experience.

The ride lasts about 15 minutes, including both laps. That is enough time to understand the circuit and feel the Porsche move at speed, but it is not a full afternoon activity by itself. I would plan it as one part of a visit to Highlands rather than the only reason to make the trip.

Lap one: learn the 4.1 km circuit

The first lap is deliberately different from the second. The driver takes you around the full 4.1 km Highlands circuit at a pace that allows you to see what makes the track work.

You hear about the circuit features, the control tower, and how Highlands came together. This commentary gives the ride some shape. Without it, you would simply experience a fast lap. With it, you get a better sense of the track as a designed space, including the areas that matter to drivers and race control.

Steve is repeatedly singled out for his friendly manner and detailed explanations. One account describes him as being able to talk through the circuit with the enthusiasm of someone discussing a much-loved hobby. Paul is also praised for being professional and for creating a strong sense of safety during the ride.

The first lap is particularly helpful if your group includes someone who is curious about motorsport but not already a racing fan. It gives you a chance to look around, listen, and understand what you are seeing before the pace rises.

There is also a useful human element. The commentary can include the story of the park and its development, rather than only technical track details. That makes this more than a noisy lap around asphalt.

Lap two: choose your level of speed

The second lap changes the mood. This is the high-speed part, and the pace can be adjusted to your preference, with speeds reaching up to 180 km/hr.

That flexibility is important. You do not have to pretend you want the most extreme version of the ride if you would rather enjoy a brisk, controlled lap. At the same time, anyone looking for a proper rush gets the chance to feel what the Porsche and circuit can do.

The driver remains in control throughout. You are not expected to make decisions about braking points or racing lines, and you are not responsible for the vehicle. That makes the experience a practical introduction to track driving for someone who would never book a self-drive session.

A few details are worth keeping in mind. The ride is designed to feel exciting, not gentle, so it may not suit someone who dislikes acceleration or quick changes in speed. If a member of your group is uncertain, use the first lap to settle in and tell the driver what pace feels right for the second.

The combination of a calm first lap and a faster second lap is the best part of the format. You get context before the excitement, rather than being thrown straight into a high-speed run.

The drivers make a real difference

The vehicle is impressive, but the driver shapes the experience. The names that come through most clearly are Steve and Paul.

Steve is described as warm, informative, and very comfortable talking about the park. His style appears to suit people who want to know what they are seeing before the ride becomes fast. He is also praised for his driving, which matters when you are placing your confidence in someone else at high speed.

Paul is praised for a professional approach and for making the ride feel exciting while still safe. Another driver, Mr Quinn, is mentioned for providing a strong and polished Porsche experience. Driver availability can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will be behind the wheel.

The staff welcome is also part of the appeal. Highlands presents itself as a friendly Central Otago attraction rather than a cold, technical race facility. That helps first-time motorsport visitors feel more at ease.

If you are visiting with family, this personal approach is useful. One person may be focused on horsepower, another on the story of the park, and someone else may simply want an unusual shared activity. A good driver can speak to all three.

More to see at Highlands Motorsport Park

The taxi ride is only one part of the wider Highlands visit. The park includes a motorsport museum, a Wall of Fame, and virtual reality exhibitions.

The museum is aimed at people who enjoy cars, but it is not limited to obscure racing details. It includes notable automotive displays and material connected with New Zealand motorsport. If your group has a serious racing fan, allow time around the exhibits rather than arriving just before the taxi departure.

The Wall of Fame adds local context. It connects the park to New Zealand racing figures and achievements, giving the circuit a stronger national identity. The virtual reality displays offer another way to engage with motorsport if you want something less physical than the Porsche ride.

The wider collection has also included significant race cars, including Bathurst-winning Supercars associated with Shane van Gisbergen and Nick Percat, according to the information provided about the park. Displays can change, so treat this as part of the park’s motorsport story rather than a guarantee of one particular car on the day.

One quirky detail has become part of the Highlands experience: the unusual toilets. They are mentioned more than once as a memorable feature, with a playful design that adds a little humor to the visit. It is not a reason to book the taxi, but it is exactly the sort of small touch that makes a motorsport park feel less predictable.

Is the price good value?

The supplied booking price is $92.47 per group of up to four people. The experience description also gives a price of $129 for four, so check the amount shown at checkout before you commit. Prices and offers can change.

Either way, the value depends on how many people share the booking. At four people, the cost per person is modest for a private ride in a Porsche around a world-class circuit. At two people, it becomes a more noticeable expense. For one person, it is a premium short activity.

The 15-minute duration may sound brief, and it is. You are paying for access to the circuit, the car, the professional driver, and the private group format rather than a long sightseeing tour. The two-lap structure makes the time feel purposeful, but you should not expect a half-day attraction.

I think the strongest value comes when you combine the taxi with the museum and other Highlands displays. Then the short ride becomes the active centrepiece of a wider stop in Cromwell. If you are only interested in a long, sustained driving session, this may feel too quick.

It is also a good shared purchase. Four people can experience the same ride and talk about it afterwards, which makes the group price easier to justify than the cost of four separate thrill activities.

Getting there from Queenstown and Cromwell

Highlands Motorsport Park is in Cromwell, at the corner of SH 6 and Sandflat Road. It is listed as about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, making it practical for a Central Otago day trip or a stop while touring the region.

The meeting point and end point are the same: Highlands Motorsport Park. You should plan to arrive at the park rather than expect transport from Queenstown, as no transfer service is included in the information provided.

The location on SH 6 is useful if you are already driving through the area. Cromwell also makes sense as a base for exploring Central Otago, so the activity can fit into a broader road trip rather than requiring a special journey only for the taxi.

The booking uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent at booking, which keeps the arrival process simple. The activity is private for your group, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That weather rule is sensible for a high-speed circuit activity, but it means you should avoid building an overly tight itinerary around the exact ride time.

Who should book the Highlands Taxi?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families wanting one shared thrill rather than separate activities
• Couples who enjoy cars, speed, or unusual road-trip stops
• Motorsport fans who want to experience the circuit without driving
• Groups of three or four, where the price is spread across everyone
• People visiting the Highlands museum and wanting an active addition

It is less suitable if you want a long guided tour, a quiet sightseeing ride, or a chance to drive the car yourself. It may also be a poor fit for anyone uncomfortable with fast acceleration, even though you can discuss the pace with the driver.

The experience is accessible to most people, but the supplied details do not explain vehicle transfer arrangements or specific mobility accommodations. If those points matter to you, contact the provider before booking.

Booking, weather, and cancellation tips

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The cut-off is based on local time. Since the activity depends on good weather, keep some flexibility in your day, especially if you are driving from Queenstown or fitting the ride between other bookings.

This experience is often booked about 25 days in advance. That is a useful planning clue, particularly if you are visiting during a busy period or need a specific time for a family group. The private capacity is limited to four people per booking, so do not leave a group booking until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

Should you book it?

Book the Highlands Taxi if you want a short, well-managed burst of speed with good commentary and a private group setup. The strongest features are the two-part format, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and drivers such as Steve and Paul, who bring warmth and clear explanations to what could otherwise be a very simple fast lap.

I would pair it with the museum, Wall of Fame, and virtual reality displays, especially if you are already exploring Cromwell. The main caution is the length. Fifteen minutes passes quickly, so the taxi alone may not feel like enough for a long drive.

For a family or group of four, the price makes more sense and the shared memories add real value. If you want to feel a race circuit from the passenger seat, this is an easy and exciting choice. If you want to race or drive yourself, choose a different Highlands experience.

FAQ

How long does the Highlands Taxi experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 15 minutes and includes two laps around the 4.1 km Highlands circuit.

How many people can ride in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo?

Up to four people can participate in the private group booking.

How fast does the second lap go?

The second lap can reach speeds of up to 180 km/hr, with the pace catered to your preference.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts and ends at Highlands Motorsport Park, at the corner of SH 6 and Sandflat Road in Cromwell.

Is the experience available in poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.