Highlands Virtual Tour, Cromwell, New Zealand

The Highlands Virtual Tour is an immersive virtual reality (VR) and 360° motorsport experience that lets visitors step into the world of professional racing without leaving the ground. Located within Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, this attraction combines cutting-edge VR technology, cinematic storytelling, and real race footage to place guests inside some of the fastest cars on one of New Zealand's most spectacular racing circuits. (Aotea Group)

Overview

• Location: Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell, Central Otago

• Experience Type: Virtual Reality & Interactive Motorsport Exhibition

• Suitable For: Families, children, motorsport enthusiasts, and visitors of all ages

• Recommended Duration: 20–45 minutes

• Perfect For: Visitors who want to experience race-car speed in a safe and accessible environment. (Aotea Group)

Experience Highlights

Immersive 360° Virtual Reality

Using high-definition 360-degree VR cinematography, the experience places you directly in the passenger seat of a high-performance race car as it speeds around the famous 4.1 km Highlands circuit.

Unlike a traditional video, you can freely look in every direction and experience the sensation of sitting inside the cockpit while the driver attacks corners, accelerates down straights, and navigates the technical sections of the track. (Aotea Group)

Ride with New Zealand Motorsport Legends

One of the unique features of the Virtual Tour is the opportunity to experience laps with some of New Zealand's best-known drivers, including:

• Greg Murphy

• Hayden Paddon

• "Mad Mike" Whiddett

• Hunter McElrea

• Andrew Waite

Each driver offers a different perspective and driving style, making every virtual ride a unique experience. (Aotea Group)

Advanced VR Technology

The attraction uses specially designed VR hardware that allows visitors to comfortably hold and move the headset while enjoying a fully articulated 360° view.

Features include:

• High-resolution virtual reality visuals

• 360° immersive racing footage

• Directional audio for realistic engine sounds

• Smooth head tracking

• Interactive viewing experience

The combination of visuals and sound creates the feeling of being inside a real race car. (Aotea Group)

Behind-the-Scenes Motorsport Content

In addition to the VR experience, visitors can enjoy multimedia displays featuring:

• Exclusive driver interviews

• Behind-the-scenes footage

• Race preparation insights

• Engineering stories

• A compilation of memorable racing moments and highlights

These exhibits provide a deeper understanding of professional motorsport beyond the excitement of the virtual ride. (Aotea Group)

Family-Friendly Attraction

The Virtual Tour is designed for a broad audience and is ideal for:

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families with children

• 🏎️ Motorsport fans

• 📸 Visitors looking for a unique indoor activity

• 🌧️ Travelers seeking an all-weather attraction

• 👵 Guests who may not wish to participate in high-speed driving experiences

Because there is no physical motion, many visitors who cannot take part in track experiences can still enjoy the excitement of racing in a comfortable environment. (Aotea Group)

Learn About the Highlands Circuit

The Virtual Tour also introduces visitors to the famous Highlands Motorsport Park, a world-class facility featuring:

• A 4.1 km international race circuit

• Multiple track layouts

• National Motorsport Museum

• Outdoor Go Karts

• Supercar and race-car experiences

• Sculpture Park

• Mini Golf

• The famous "Loo with a View"

The VR presentation provides a unique perspective of the circuit that spectators rarely get to experience. (Wikipedia)

Photography & Interactive Displays

Visitors can also explore:

• Large video walls

• Interactive motorsport exhibits

• Racing-themed displays

• Driver profiles

• Circuit information panels

The combination of technology and storytelling makes the attraction engaging for both casual visitors and dedicated racing enthusiasts. (Aotea Group)

Combine with Other Highlands Experiences

The Virtual Tour is best enjoyed as part of a full day at Highlands Motorsport Park. Popular combinations include:

• 🏎️ Supercar Fast Dash – ride with a professional driver

• 🚗 V8 Muscle Car U-Drive – drive a race-prepared Mustang or Camaro

• 🏁 Radical U-Drive – pilot a Radical SR3 race car

• 🏎️ Outdoor Go Karts

• 🏛️ National Motorsport Museum

• 🎨 Sculpture Park

• ☕ Highlands Café

Together, these attractions create one of New Zealand's most comprehensive motorsport and entertainment destinations. (Racelink)

Visitor Tips

• Allow 30–45 minutes to fully enjoy the VR experience and multimedia exhibits.

• Visit before or after a track activity to appreciate the circuit from both virtual and real-world perspectives.

• The attraction is ideal on rainy or hot days thanks to its indoor setting.

• Families with children can pair the Virtual Tour with Go Karts and the National Motorsport Museum for a fun and educational outing. (The Ultimate Virtual Race of New Zealand)

Why Visit?

The Highlands Virtual Tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of professional motorsport through state-of-the-art virtual reality technology. From sitting beside legendary New Zealand racing drivers to exploring the circuit in immersive 360° detail, it combines innovation, entertainment, and education in an experience suitable for all ages. Whether you're a lifelong motorsport fan or simply curious about life at racing speed, the Virtual Tour provides an exciting and memorable addition to any visit to Highlands Motorsport Park. (Aotea Group)