Outdoor
Go Karting in Manawatū-Whanganui
Feel the adrenaline rush at Manawatū-Whanganui's top karting venues.
The Manawatū-Whanganui region offers a tale of two cities. In Palmerston North, the scene is defined by indoor precision, catering to the student population and corporate groups with a technical, high-grip track. In Whanganui, the vibe is distinctly "Kiwi summer," with an outdoor track located in a family adventure park by the river.
The primary destination in Palmerston North is Daytona Indoor Raceway (often associated with XEvents). Located on Bennett Street, this is the region's only permanent indoor facility. It runs a fleet of Sodi rental karts on a track designed for close, wheel-to-wheel racing. It is a "grip" track rather than a drift track, rewarding smooth lines and momentum.
In Whanganui, the action takes place at Riverland Family Park. Situated on the banks of the Whanganui River (near Kowhai Park), this outdoor facility offers a more relaxed, holiday atmosphere. They operate "Action Karts" for adults and teens (10+ years), which are significantly faster than their junior "Club Karts." It’s a classic asphalt outdoor loop that allows families to race together in a scenic setting.
For Serious Racers: KartSport Manawatū (located at Shirriffs Road, Longburn) is one of the strongest clubs in the country. While they do not offer daily rentals, they host monthly "Have a Go" days. For a fee (typically ~$75), they provide a real 2-stroke or 4-stroke race kart, safety gear, and tuition, acting as a gateway for those wanting to join the sport properly.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
4 kart tracks
Outdoor
Indoor
Indoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
KartSport Manawatu
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui
Indoor
X Karts
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui
Indoor
Daytona Indoor Raceway
Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui
Outdoor
Riverland Family Park
Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Go karting in Manawatū-Whanganui - FAQs
Common questions about karting in Manawatū-Whanganui.
Yes, Riverland Family Park on Anzac Parade offers outdoor go-karting. They have separate karts for children (Club Karts) and adults/teens (Action Karts), plus double karts for parents with younger children.
Generally, no. The track at Shirriffs Road is run by KartSport Manawatū and is for private kart owners. However, they do run specific "Have a Go" days (usually monthly) where you can pay to test a proper race kart.
No. Indoor Raceway in Porirua is located near Wellington (approx. 1.5 hours south). Palmerston North has its own facility, Daytona Indoor Raceway (sometimes listed under XEvents), located on Bennett Street.