Bathurst Mount Panorama

Overview

Mount Panorama Circuit, located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, is one of motorsport’s most iconic and challenging circuits. This legendary 6.213-kilometer mountain course is a public road outside of racing events, making it a unique blend of everyday infrastructure and a world-class racing venue. The circuit features dramatic 174-meter elevation changes, fast straights, and technically demanding corners, earning global recognition for its difficulty and prestige.
Mount Panorama is best known for hosting the Bathurst 1000, Australia's most famous endurance race, as well as the Bathurst 12 Hour, a premier international GT event. With its high-speed sections, blind corners, and unforgiving walls, the track has become a proving ground for the world’s best drivers.

Technical Specifications and Track Features

The circuit presents extraordinary challenges:

• Track length: 6.213 km (3.86 miles)
• Number of corners: 23 (a mix of fast and technical turns)
• Elevation change: 174 meters from lowest to highest point
• Track width: 7.5 to 14 meters
• Maximum gradient: 1:6.13 (16.3%)
• Longest straight: Conrod Straight – 1.916 km
  Key sections and corners:
• Hell Corner (Turn 1) – A tight left-hand turn leading onto Mountain Straight
• The Cutting – A steep uphill left-hand bend requiring precise car placement
• McPhillamy Park – A fast, blind crest requiring full commitment
• Skyline – A rapid drop leading into The Esses
• The Dipper – A dramatic plunging left-hander with little room for error
• Forrest’s Elbow – A slow, technical corner leading onto Conrod Straight
• The Chase – A high-speed chicane added in 1987 to slow cars before the final turn
• Murray’s Corner – The final turn before the main straight
  Safety features:
• Concrete barriers lining most of the circuit
• Limited but strategic run-off areas
• Advanced track monitoring and safety response systems

Facilities and Specialized Areas

Mount Panorama blends high-level racing infrastructure with public amenities:

• Main pit complex with 40 fully-equipped garages
• Race control tower with state-of-the-art monitoring systems
• Multiple spectator areas, including:
  • Dedicated grandstands
  • Natural hillside viewing points across the mountain
  • Temporary camping grounds during major events
• National Motor Racing Museum, showcasing the history of Bathurst racing
• Media and television broadcast facilities for global event coverage
• Medical center with emergency response teams
• Corporate hospitality areas for premium event experiences
• Pit roof viewing platform for team and VIP guests
• Permanent timing sectors for precision race data
• Support paddock areas** for additional racing categories

History

Mount Panorama’s rich history dates back to 1938, when the track first hosted motor racing. Originally built as a scenic tourist drive, it quickly became a legendary racing venue.

Key milestones:

• 1938 – First race meeting held
• 1963 – First Bathurst 500 (now Bathurst 1000), cementing the circuit’s endurance racing reputation
• 1987 – Hosted a round of the World Touring Car Championship
• 1991 – Metal barriers replaced by concrete walls for improved safety
• 2011 – Modern era of the Bathurst 12 Hour GT race begins, bringing international prestige
  Outside of race events, the track operates as a public road with a 60 km/h speed limit, offering visitors the rare chance to experience the circuit’s legendary corners in everyday vehicles.
  Mount Panorama remains a cornerstone of Australian motorsport, blending rich history, technical challenges, and global prestige into one of the world’s most revered racing circuits.