Mount Panorama (Wahluu)
Wahluu
Where the mountain races
On the lands of the Wiradjuri people people.
schedule 2 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Rising sharply above the golden plains of Bathurst, Mount Panorama is a six-kilometre ribbon of public road that becomes one of the world's most celebrated racing circuits every time the lights go out. Outside race weekends you can drive every centimetre of it at 60 km/h, walk the scenic boardwalk, and absorb a century of motorsport mythology at the National Motor Racing Museum, all for free. The Wiradjuri know this sacred mountain as Wahluu, meaning to watch over.
The Wiradjuri people have known this volcanic mountain as Wahluu for thousands of years. In Wiradjuri tradition, the name means a sacred place - specifically a men's initiation site. The creation story tells of the warrior Wahluu, whose death at his brother's hands caused Biame the creator to unleash a volcanic eruption, with lava forming the shape of the mountain that still watches over the Bathurst plains. The Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council successfully petitioned the Geographical Names Board to give the mountain its official dual name, Wahluu, as an act of recognition and reconciliation.
Bathurst Council first imagined a racing circuit here in the 1930s, though Depression-era finances forced a compromise: the funds were approved for a scenic mountain drive rather than a dedicated track. Construction began in mid-1936 and the circuit was born in that practical compromise - a public road with a gradient so fierce and corners so demanding that it became a natural test of machinery and nerve. The inaugural motorcycle race ran on 16 April 1938, and two days later came the first car race. Annual racing has continued at the circuit ever since.
The circuit measures 6.213 kilometres with 23 turns and an extraordinary 174-metre vertical difference between its highest and lowest points. The gradient on parts of the famous Skyline and Mountain Straight sections reaches 1 in 6, steeper than almost any comparable circuit on earth. At its highest point, the circuit sits at 862 metres above sea level. These physical facts are what make Mount Panorama genuinely dangerous and genuinely beloved by drivers and spectators alike.
The Bathurst 1000, colloquially known as The Great Race, has been held on the circuit every October since 1963. Run over 1,000 kilometres as part of the Supercars Championship, it is the pre-eminent event in Australian motorsport and one of the great endurance races in the world. The Bathurst 12 Hour, a GT endurance race held each February, draws international factory teams and adds a second marquee event to the annual calendar. Peter Brock, nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner, remains the spiritual figure of the circuit.
For visitors outside race weekends, the circuit is simply a public road with a 60 km/h speed limit and NSW road rules in force. You can drive it in either direction at no cost, pulling over at the top of the mountain to take in the panoramic Bathurst lookout from the scenic boardwalk. The National Motor Racing Museum sits at Murray's Corner and holds over 4,700 artefacts including 17 racing cars and 5 motorcycles. Admission is $15 for adults, with concession and family rates available, and the museum is open daily except Tuesdays outside school holidays.
Common questions
Things visitors ask about Mount Panorama (Wahluu).
Quick answers to help you plan.
Can I drive the Mount Panorama circuit as a visitor?
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Yes. When no race or testing event is scheduled, the circuit is a normal public road with a 60 km/h speed limit and standard NSW road rules in force. You can drive it in either direction, in your own vehicle, at no charge. Check the Bathurst Regional Council website for event closures before visiting, as the road closes completely during race weekends and some smaller events.
Is there an entry fee to visit?
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Driving the public circuit road and visiting the lookout and boardwalk is free. The National Motor Racing Museum charges $15 for adults, $11 concession, $7.50 for children aged 5 to 18, and $39 for a family pass. Children under school age enter free. The museum is closed Tuesdays except during NSW school holidays.
What is the significance of the name Wahluu?
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Wahluu is the Wiradjuri name for the mountain, meaning a sacred place, traditionally a men's initiation site. The Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council successfully campaigned for the Geographical Names Board to officially recognise the dual name. The mountain retains its motorsport identity while acknowledging its deep Wiradjuri spiritual and cultural significance.
When is the Bathurst 1000 held and how do I get tickets?
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The Bathurst 1000 is held annually in October as part of the Supercars Championship calendar. It runs across a full week including practice, qualifying, and support races before the main 1,000-kilometre endurance event. Tickets sell out well in advance and are available through the Supercars website. Camping on the mountain during race week is a tradition for many attending fans.
What is there to see at the National Motor Racing Museum?
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The museum holds over 4,700 items of motorsport history with a focus on Bathurst and Australian racing culture. Exhibits include 17 cars and 5 motorcycles, an immersive room with race audio and visuals, and rotating exhibitions. A gift shop and accessible facilities are on site, and coach and car parking is available adjacent to the museum.
Is Mount Panorama suitable for families with children?
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Yes. Driving the circuit is an experience children typically enjoy, and the museum's immersive displays and varied exhibits hold attention across age groups. The lookout and boardwalk offer open space and views with no admission cost. The museum has a children's playground, accessible toilets, and gas barbecues on site.
What other racing events are held at Mount Panorama?
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Beyond the Bathurst 1000 in October and the Bathurst 12 Hour in February, the circuit hosts a variety of other events including motorcycle championships, historic racing meetings, and enthusiast gatherings. Check the Bathurst Regional Council and Supercars websites for the current year's race calendar.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Mount Panorama (Wahluu).
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Gallery
Mount Panorama (Wahluu) in pictures.
6 images licensed from Wikimedia Commons
All images are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences. Individual photographers are credited on the source pages.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (4)
- Wikipedia: Mount Panorama (Wahluu) · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Motor Racing Museum - Plan a Visit · Museums Bathurst
- Mount Panorama/Wahluu · Destination NSW
Images (6)
- Blue Mountains and the 3 Sisters.jpg · Damienkeffyn · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bathurst 1000 NSW Australia.jpg · thomasrdotorg · CC BY 2.0
- Bathurst NSW, panorama.jpg · R Walker · CC BY 2.0
- Bathurst from Mount Panorama.jpg · Mertie . · CC BY 2.0
- Citigate Mount Panorama Bathurst (back of Pits) - panoramio.... · Mountain Ash · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Citigate Mount Panorama Bathurst (down the mountain) - panor... · Mountain Ash · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under licenses that permit commercial use. If you are the rights holder and believe an attribution is incorrect, please contact us.