Highlands Taxi – Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park

The Highlands Taxi turns a Porsche Cayenne Turbo into a very different kind of taxi: one that takes you for two laps of a purpose-built race circuit. You sit back while a professional driver shows you the track, then picks up the pace for the second lap.

I like the combination of trackside storytelling and speed: the first lap explains the circuit and the park, while the next lets you feel what the Cayenne can do. I also like that the private ride can carry up to four people, so you can split the cost and share the experience with family or friends.

One thing to weigh: this is a brief activity, about 15 minutes, and the fastest lap depends on the driver’s chosen pace and conditions. The price information also differs: the booking details show $92.47 per group, while the park description gives $129 for four, so check the final price before you confirm.

The Highlands Taxi at a glance

• Two laps on a 4.1 km circuit: Lap one introduces the track and its features; lap two is for speed.
• A Porsche Cayenne Turbo: You ride in a high-performance SUV, not a single-seat race car.
• A private group of up to four: The experience is priced by group, making it more appealing when you fill the vehicle.
• A driver-led tour: Drivers such as Steve and Paul have been associated with the ride, and the first lap can include circuit and park history.
• A short stop in Cromwell: The ride takes about 15 minutes and starts and finishes at Highlands Motorsport Park.
• Weather can affect plans: If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a refund.

A race track tour with a proper second act

The Highlands Taxi is designed for people who want the sensation of a fast track drive without taking the wheel. You buckle in as a passenger, and an expert driver handles the Porsche Cayenne Turbo around Highlands’ 4.1 km international-standard circuit.

That arrangement makes the ride accessible to a broad range of visitors. You do not need driving experience or to understand racing lines to enjoy it. The driver takes care of the technical business, while you focus on the corners, the speed and the unusual view of a race circuit from inside a performance SUV.

The two-lap format is a smart part of the experience. The first circuit is a guided introduction, not simply a warm-up. Your driver can point out track features, the control tower and details about how Highlands came together. Then the second lap changes the mood: the pace is set to your preference, and the ride can reach up to 180 km/h.

That speed is a maximum, not a promise that every ride will hit it. Your driver controls the car and the pace, and the description says the speed can be adjusted to what you want. If you are unsure, you can take the first lap to get comfortable before deciding how spirited you want the next one to be.

Lap one: understand the circuit before it moves

Highlands is more than a strip of asphalt. The guided first lap is an opportunity to see the shape of the circuit and hear about its features as you travel around it. The driver may also explain the control tower and the story behind the park, giving context to what could otherwise feel like a quick blast around a track.

The value of this lap is easy to miss if you think of the activity only as a speed ride. A circuit has its own design and logic, and a running commentary gives you something to notice beyond the speedometer. You get a sense of the venue as a working motorsport destination, rather than simply a place where a fast car happens to drive.

Drivers named in connection with the experience include Steve, Paul and Mr Quinn. Steve is particularly associated with lively explanations of the track and the park’s history; Paul has also driven the Cayenne. The driver on your visit may differ, so treat those names as possibilities rather than a guaranteed part of the booking.

If you enjoy cars, racing or local stories, listen closely on lap one. If you are mainly there for the thrill, it still serves a useful purpose: you can get accustomed to the car and the track before the quicker lap begins.

Lap two: choose your level of speed

The second lap is the payoff. Once the circuit has been introduced, the driver can take you around at a faster pace, with speeds up to 180 km/h. That is quick enough to make the experience feel very different from an ordinary road ride, even though you remain a passenger throughout.

I like that the pace can be catered to your preference. A fast ride is not everyone’s idea of fun, and this setup gives you room to enjoy the circuit without feeling that you must ask for the maximum. If you are keen on speed, say so; if you want a gentler run, the experience is described as adjustable.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo also shapes the feel of the ride. This is a luxury performance SUV, so the experience is not the same as being strapped into a low-slung racing car. That can be a plus for people who prefer a more familiar passenger seat and want to share the ride with companions. It also means the thrill comes from the driver’s pace and the circuit, rather than from driving a race car yourself.

The vehicle has room for you and up to three other people. That makes it a particularly practical choice for a family or small group: everyone can take part in the same ride, rather than waiting for separate turns. The experience is private to your party.

Who gets the most from this ride

The Highlands Taxi suits a mixed group better than an activity built only for dedicated motorsport fans. A car enthusiast can enjoy the circuit and its history, while a first-time visitor can simply enjoy the unusual speed and setting. The driver’s commentary helps bridge the gap between those two interests.

Families may find the shared format especially appealing. One family of four can ride together, and the 15-minute duration makes it a manageable addition to a day around Cromwell. It is also a good option for someone curious about track driving but not interested in taking control of a car.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a long tour or a hands-on driving lesson. The Cayenne is chauffeured, and the total ride is short. If your main goal is to spend sustained time behind the wheel, this is not that experience. If you want a compact burst of track action with a guide, it fits well.

The park itself gives you reason to allow more time than the ride alone requires. Highlands has a motorsport museum, a Wall of Fame and virtual reality exhibitions, along with displays that include significant New Zealand racing cars. Some visitors also make a point of seeing the distinctive toilets. These are separate attractions at the venue, not part of the 15-minute taxi ride, but they can turn a quick stop into a fuller visit.

What the price means for a group of four

The booking details give a price of $92.47 per group of up to four. At that figure, a full vehicle works out to roughly $23.12 per person. The park’s own description also gives a price of $129 for four, which is about $32.25 each. Because these figures differ, confirm the current total at the time of booking rather than relying on either number alone.

At either stated group price, the strongest value comes from bringing companions. The cost is for the group, not each passenger, so a solo rider pays the same listed group amount as a party of four if the booking is structured that way. Check the booking page’s pricing terms to understand exactly how the total is applied.

The ride is short, so value depends on what you want. You are paying for a private drive on a purpose-built circuit in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, plus a guided introduction and a faster second lap. If you are already visiting Highlands and can share the cost, it is easier to justify than making a special trip solely for 15 minutes on track.

Getting to Highlands in Cromwell

The meeting point is Highlands Motorsport Park, at the corner of State Highway 6 and Sandflat Road in Cromwell. The activity begins and ends at the same place. The park is described as about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, making it a possible stop while exploring Central Otago, though you will need to plan your own transport there.

This location makes the ride more practical as part of a regional outing than as a quick activity in Queenstown itself. Cromwell is the base for the experience, and the circuit is along SH 6. If you are building a day around the park, allow extra time for the museum and other on-site attractions; the taxi ride itself is only about 15 minutes.

The booking is a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. It is a private activity, so only your group participates in the ride. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

Weather matters. The activity requires good conditions, and if poor weather leads to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

Make the most of your 15 minutes

Decide before boarding whether you want the second lap at a moderate pace or as fast as the conditions allow. You do not have to settle that in advance, but knowing what sounds fun can help you communicate with the driver. If you are nervous, the first lap gives you time to get used to the setting before the quicker circuit.

Use the guided lap to ask about the circuit and the park. The commentary is part of what makes the experience more than a short ride, and the driver can point out details you would otherwise miss. If you have a motorsport fan in the group, let them ask the questions, but leave room for everyone to enjoy the run.

Finally, do not judge the value only by the time in the car. The ride is brief, but Highlands has other attractions that can round out a visit, including the museum and virtual reality exhibits. If you were already curious about the park, the taxi can be the high-energy part of a broader stop.

Should you book the Highlands Taxi?

Book it if you want a short, memorable track experience that works for a family or small group, and you like the idea of letting a professional driver handle the speed. The guided first lap, fast second lap and shared Porsche ride make it more than a simple circuit loop.

Skip it if you expect a long activity, a driving lesson or guaranteed top speed. And before you pay, check the final group price, since the supplied figures differ. If the cost suits your group and you are already heading to Cromwell, this is a compact way to add some serious engine noise to your day.

FAQ

How long does the Highlands Taxi experience take?

The ride lasts approximately 15 minutes.

How many people can ride together?

The private activity is for your group, with up to four people in total.

What vehicle is used?

The ride takes place in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

How many laps are included?

The experience includes two laps of the 4.1 km circuit.

How fast does the second lap go?

The second lap can reach up to 180 km/h. The pace can be adjusted to your preference.

What happens on the first lap?

The first lap is a guided tour of the circuit, with information about track features, the control tower and the making of Highlands.

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, New Zealand.

How much does the experience cost?

The booking details show $92.47 per group of up to four, while the park description gives $129 for four. Check the current price when booking.

What happens if poor weather cancels the ride?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.