Here at Boss Hunting, we absolutely love go-karting. Itโs the closest most of us will ever get to a real race car, so understanding the best indoor and outdoor Melbourne go-karting tracks โ from Port Melbourne to Philip Island โ is an absolute must for anyone arranging a bucks, birthday party, or simply in need of a high-octane afternoon.
Letโs get into it.
RELATED: The 11 Best Go-Karting Tracks In Sydney
The Best Go-Karting Tracks In Melbourne
Auscarts Racing, Port Melbourne
Contact: (03) 9646 6015
Opening Hours: Monday โ Sunday (10 AM โ 10 PM)
Prices From: $62 for 20 mins/30 laps
Track Length & Corners: 450m and 12 corners
Iโve enjoyed go-karting at Auscarts Racing in Port Melbourne a few times over the years, and itโs a venue that always delivers, both from the perspective of the track and the cars; but also in how conveniently close it is to Melbourneโs CBD.
Itโs one of the best indoor go-karting tracks with plenty of tight corners, but the Port Melbourne venue also has a long straight that gives plenty of opportunity for high-speed overtakes and the chance to dive into turn one to gain a position or two.
In terms of what youโll be getting behind the wheel of, the Skodikart GT-5 Karts have a top speed of 55km/h thanks to their 6.5ph engine, as well as a three-point harness to keep you safe and secure. And when you consider Melbourne go-karting pricing, Auscarts Racing is quite reasonable.
Once youโre done racing at this Port Melbourne go-karting venue โ or even while youโre waiting for the previous race to finish up โ there are plenty of indoor arcade games to get stuck into. Specifically for after the race (BAC must be zero): thereโs also a bar serving drinks and snacks to refuel yourself.
Phillip Island Go-Karts, Phillip Island
Contact: (03) 5952 2710
Opening Hours: Monday โ Sunday (9 AM โ 5 PM)
Prices From: $40 for 10 mins
Track Length & Corners: 750m and 12 corners
Racing at Phillip Island Go-Karts was one of the most fun days on a go-karting track Iโve ever had. The coolest thing about this venue? The track is a miniaturised version of the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit next door, complete with elevation changes that make it my favourite outdoor go-karting track around Melbourne.
These highs and lows mean lap times might be unduly affected among the bigger members of your group (myself included unfortunately), but the Sodi RT8 Evo2 go-karts youโll be driving are plenty quick with their 270cc Honda engines.
If youโre a motorsports fan and youโve watched races at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on TV, this is a really special track with some of the best ocean views youโll ever enjoy from the seat of a go-kart.
Le Mans, Dandenong South
Contact: (03) 8787 8741
Opening Hours: Wednesday โ Thursday (3 PM โ 10 PM); Saturday โ Sunday (10 AM โ 11 PM)
Prices From: $69 for 15 laps
Track Length & Corners: Lakeside (630m and 12 corners); Pentrite (620m and 14 corners)
If youโre up to take your go-karting a little more seriously than the occasional sprint race, the folks at Le Mans are the sort you ought to make fast friends with. Not only does the venue have two different tracks that you can race with your mates, but it also boasts the fastest go-karts in Melbourne โ capable of hitting top speeds of 80km/h.
If youโre able to crack the Penerite Track lap time of 36.5 seconds, while driving the 270cc engine Superkarts, youโll get the opportunity to race in even faster 390cc Gold Karts. The Le Mans Entertainment site also offers laser tag and virtual reality gaming, meaning if youโre after an end-to-end entertainment experience, there probably isnโt a spot with a more exciting range of activities to get involved in.
Karting Madness, Bayswater
Contact: (03) 9720 8284
Opening Hours: Monday โ Saturday (9 AM โ 10 PM); Sunday (9 AM โ 8 PM)
Prices From: $49 + $10 KM Membership
Track Length & Corners: 600m and 15 corners
Karting Madness is another great venue to get involved with, no matter whether youโre keen to race once a year or once a week (every driver at Karting Madness must purchase a $10 KM Membership to race). While Karting Madness also has a track in Braybrook, the Bayswater track is the largest indoor go-karting venue in Australia and has three different types of kart: plenty of options no matter your skill level.
The karts in question are Honda engine-powered Sodi models, serving up 270 cc (9hp) with a possible top speed of 80km/h. The venue isnโt super close to the heart of Melbourne โ assuming youโre tight on time โ but if youโve got the full day to enjoy some indoor go-kart racing, Karting Madness is a brilliant option.
Karting Madness, Braybrook
Contact: (03) 9317 8222
Opening Hours: Monday โ Saturday (10 AM โ 10 PM); Sunday (10 AM โ 8 PM)
Prices From: $49 + $10 KM Membership
Track Length & Corners: 400m and 13 corners
As promised, just as the eastern suburbs of Melbourne get to enjoy Karting Madness Bayswater, the Braybrook track is there to deliver the cityโs westerly inhabitants their share of indoor go-karting thrills and spills. For those who enjoy driving across the city as much as they do a race track, another of the benefits of Karting Madness offering two venues is the $10 KM Membership that can be used across both tracks (if youโre hunting cheap go-karting in Melbourne, this is it).
The indoor Braybrook track is a little shorter than its Bayswater sibling, but features a very similar layout. If youโre familiar with the turns already there shouldnโt be a problem. In addition, the Braybrook venue also offers a range of other solid ways to spend your time, including bowling, laser tag, and plenty of arcade games.
Ace Karts, Albion
Contact: 1300 926 015
Opening Hours: Monday โ Wednesday (9 AM โ 9 PM); Thursday โ Saturday (9 AM โ 11 PM); Sunday (9 AM โ 10 PM)
Prices From: $49 for 15 laps
Track Length & Corners: 700m and 7 corners
Located in the northwestern suburb of Albion, Act Karts is renowned for its long track filled with high-speed sweeping turns and powerful karts. Upon arrival at Act Karts, you can expect to get behind the wheel of the Sodi RT10 Super Kart capable of 75km/h, which when combined with night-time or wet racing, makes for an unforgettable experience on the track.
The venue is staffed by extremely passionate motorsports enthusiasts โ many of whom race go-karts professionally โ so youโre in safe and enthusiastic hands here. If you live out west, this is likely your best bet for a day of great Melbourne go-karting in the company of mates.
Melbourne International EV Karting Complex, Port Melbourne
Contact: (03) 9646 7805
Prices From: $240 annual membership fee + $310 for an annual competition license or $100 for an annual social license
Track Length & Corners: 1005m and 13 corners
Now, if youโve visited a few of the other venues on this list and youโve fallen in love with the sport of karting, the Melbourne International EV Karting Complex is where youโll want to get a membership and race in competition.
Operated by the Go Kart Club of Victoria, youโve probably spotted this track out of your left windows while driving towards the CBD over the West Gate Bridge. It isnโt quite as casual as other venues, but is the best place to get involved if youโre keen to take your karting obsession to the next level.
The downside? The financial barrier to entry is higher, as youโll also need to purchase a race kart to compete, but once youโve got motorsport fever, the pain of those start-up costs will be a distant memory โ drowned by the excitement of regular hi-octane racing.
How Boss Hunting Chose The Best Go-Karting Venues In Melbourne
Having grown up in Melbourne, Iโve raced at the majority of these tracks and can personally speak to their safety, professionalism, and the fun thatโs to be had when racing against mates and strangers alike.
For more on how we put together lists like this please read our editorial policy.
If youโve checked out a couple of these Melbourne go-karting venues, or youโre looking for another way to spend an afternoon, check out these other options below:
