Canberra’s karting options fit on one hand with fingers to spare. The ACT has exactly two venues, Power Kart Raceway in Griffith and iPlay Belconnen, and they serve quite different crowds. That’s the honest picture, but it isn’t the whole story, because a couple of the best hire-kart circuits in NSW sit within a two to two and a half hour drive of the capital. This guide covers both local tracks properly, then points you at the road trip options that reward a full tank of petrol.
Power Kart Raceway
Griffith
Power Kart Raceway on Canberra Avenue is the capital’s proper karting venue, an indoor electric track rated 4.3 with a genuinely loyal following; some locals return monthly or even fortnightly. Staff adjust kart speed settings to match experience levels, so a mixed group of first-timers and regulars still gets a fair race.
Juniors have a dedicated section while adults tackle the main track. One eight year old had a ball in the kids’ area on his first visit while his dad came a respectable second in an adult race. A session costs $43 for 10 minutes, or $95 buys you three, and party rooms with arcade games round out the venue for birthdays.
I’ve been visiting Power Karts once a month (on average) for about a year now and it’s always been a fun experience. More recently, my friends and I have made our fortnightly visits here a fun social night of racing followed by dinner nearby.
iPlay Belconnen
Belconnen
iPlay Belconnen is a different beast, an arcade-style entertainment complex on Benjamin Way where indoor petrol karting is one attraction among many. The petrol karts bring the noise and that classic karting feel, and the venue handles kids’ birthdays well with dedicated spaces and food packages. Karting costs $95 for two sessions or $130 for four.
The 3.8 rating tells an honest story though. Service at the booking desk gets warm praise, but several reviewers report arcade machines that were broken or not refilled, and games cost around $3 each for a single player. Go for the karts and treat the arcade as a bonus rather than the main event.
Called in to make a booking and was helped by the most darling woman of all time named Justine. She was so sweet and charming, seriously a joy to talk to.
Worth the Drive: NSW Tracks Near Canberra
When two indoor venues aren’t enough, point the car north. Picton Karting Track in Maldon, about two hours from Canberra, is a 4.8 rated outdoor petrol circuit that caters for practically everyone. Electric karts suit kids from age four, while the 18cc and 125cc machines handle ages 11 through to pensioners; one group ran a 70th birthday there with racers aged 17 to 71. Sessions start around $45.
Another half hour on, Wollongong Kart Raceway at Kembla Grange also rates 4.8 and offers a two-stroke option that reviewers reckon transforms the track, plus Grand Prix formats for group events. Two sessions cost $90. Browse all NSW tracks if you’re planning a bigger karting road trip.
The Bottom Line
For most Canberrans, Power Kart Raceway is the default choice and deservedly so; it’s well maintained, fairly priced and welcoming to all ages. iPlay Belconnen makes sense when karting is one part of a bigger arcade day, especially for kids’ parties. Keep the NSW circuits on the list for a weekend run. Compare both local venues on our Canberra tracks page, or see everything the ACT has to offer.
