This Porsche taxi ride is pure thrill therapy. At Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park in Cromwell, about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, you get two laps around a 4.1 km race track in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo with expert drivers. I love the way Lap 1 turns the circuit into a guided story, covering features of the track and even the control tower area, and I also love that Lap 2 lets the driver match the speed level to your comfort, up to 180 km/h.

The main thing to plan around is weather. Highlands requires good weather, and the ride itself is about 15 minutes, so it’s a quick hit rather than a long day out.

Key highlights you should care about

• Two-lap format: Lap 1 is guided, Lap 2 is speed-focused
• Professional chauffeurs in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo: built for track thrills without the hassle
• 4.1 km international-standard circuit: enough distance to feel the rhythm, not just a quick spin
• Speed can be tailored up to 180 km/h: you control the comfort level
• Private experience for up to 4 people: your group rides together
• The park itself is a full stop: museum, Wall of Fame, and virtual reality displays to pair with the taxi ride

Why Highlands Taxi is worth the drive from Queenstown

If you’re basing yourself in Queenstown, this is one of those Central Otago stops that feels like a full change of pace. You’re not just driving past scenery on SH6, you’re arriving at a motorsport venue built to put people on a track and make them feel part of it. Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park sits about 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport, so it works as a day-trip anchor when you want something active that still stays simple.

The Highlands Taxi experience centers on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and a purpose-built race circuit. That matters because the ride isn’t about hoping you’ll get speed on a normal road. Instead, the circuit layout and track environment are designed for fast driving in a controlled setting, with professional drivers running the show.

And the “family-friendly adrenaline” angle is real. This isn’t presented as a stunt tour where you have to be a racing fan. Even if your idea of motorsport is watching a few clips, you still get a guided first lap that explains what you’re seeing, then you get a second lap where the pace can scale to your liking.

One more detail I appreciate: it’s a private activity for your group (up to 4). That means less waiting around with strangers and more of that vacation feeling of just doing your thing.

The two laps: guided first, fast second

This is the heart of the Highlands Taxi experience, and it’s built in a smart way.

Lap 1: get your bearings fast

Lap 1 is a guided tour of the 4.1 km track. You’ll learn about circuit features, the control tower, and the behind-the-scenes parts of what makes Highlands operate as a proper international-standard facility. This first lap is where you stop thinking only about speed and start noticing braking zones, racing lines, and how the track is structured.

Even if you’re not a motorsport person, a guided lap helps because it turns the ride into something you can follow. You’re not just bouncing around; you’re getting context as you go.

Lap 2: choose the speed level

Then you do Lap 2, and this is where the experience becomes properly exhilarating. The pace can be catered to your liking and can reach up to 180 km/h. The key word here is catered. You’re not locked into one “max everything” setting.

That makes the ride more comfortable for mixed groups, too. One person might want full intensity; another might want “fast but manageable.” You’re still on the track together, but the driver can adjust how the run is delivered.

What it feels like in practice

From what riders highlight, the best part isn’t only the speed. It’s the combination of a driver who can explain what’s happening and still drive confidently when the throttle opens. Several people mention specific drivers by name, including Steve and Paul, and that sort of consistent professionalism is exactly what you want when you’re paying for a high-speed thrill.

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo detail that makes it feel easy

Highlands Taxi uses a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and that choice shapes the vibe of the whole experience. This isn’t a go-kart course where you’re crammed in and trying to hold on. It’s a larger performance SUV, designed to carry passengers comfortably while still delivering that track-ready power feel.

For many couples and families, that’s the sweet spot: real excitement, but with less of the “we might feel sick” factor you sometimes get with smaller, more physical vehicles. The professional driving style helps too, and one review even specifically praises how exciting it was while still feeling very safe.

How much time do you really get?

The ride is approximately 15 minutes. That time frame is short enough that it doesn’t eat your whole day, but it’s long enough to deliver two full laps with meaning—first lap to learn the track, second lap to experience it at speed.

Because it’s short, you’ll want to plan your day so you’re not rushing in from another activity. If you arrive frazzled, this is the kind of experience that’s better when you can focus on the moment, hear the guidance, and enjoy the second lap rather than thinking about what’s next.

Getting to Highlands: meeting point and practical timing

You’ll meet at Highlands Motorsport Park, Corner SH6 and Sandflat Road, Sandflat Road, Cromwell 9384. The venue is along SH6, so it’s straightforward to slot into a Central Otago day.

Highlands is a popular place, and the experience is commonly booked in advance—on average about 25 days ahead. If you’re traveling in peak seasons, I’d treat that as a signal to lock in your slot early so you’re not stuck waiting for a time that works for everyone.

A nice touch: you receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity is designed as a private group experience, so it’s not the kind of thing you have to stitch together from lots of moving parts.

The real value: not just speed, but the whole park stop

Here’s the thing I like about Highlands Taxi compared to generic thrill rides: you’re not only paying for a lap. You’re paying for a motorsport venue experience that pairs the ride with a wider motorsport story.

The park includes a museum and features like a Wall of Fame and virtual reality exhibitions, and the tone you’ll get is that this place cares about New Zealand motorsport legends. Names like Van Gisbergen and Stanaway come up in relation to standout cars and the kinds of race achievements the park showcases. If you’re traveling with racing nerds, you’ll probably enjoy the chance to see those references up close.

Even the practical side gets noticed. One rider joked (in a genuinely happy way) about the toilets being special—so yes, this is one of those attractions where comfort matters, not just the thrill factor.

Should you plan extra time?

You’re doing the taxi ride as a defined activity, but it’s still helpful to know this is a park you can spend time at before or after. If you have flexibility, I think it’s worth pairing the ride with a bit of museum exploration, especially if someone in your group wants more than just two laps.

That way, even if you feel the ride is short (which it might be, because it is), you still leave with more of a “we went somewhere” feeling.

Price and value for a group of four

The listed price for Highlands Taxi is $92.47 per group (up to 4), with a duration of about 15 minutes. The on-site description also references value for four people at $129 for 4 people, so you may see different figures depending on the way the pricing is displayed or updated.

Either way, the math works best when you go with a full group. Because it’s private and designed for up to 4 people, splitting the cost tends to make it more affordable than solo thrill options. It also reduces the “ticket shock” feeling that can happen when you’re paying per person for a very short experience.

For me, the value is in what you get for the time:

• a guided lap that explains the circuit (not just a joyride),
• a speed lap up to 180 km/h,
• a real performance vehicle (Porsche Cayenne Turbo),
• and a professional driver running the show.

That combo is hard to replicate on normal roads without turning the day into a bigger, more complicated plan.

Safety, drivers, and choosing your comfort level

You don’t need to be a speed person to enjoy this. The driver experience is front and center: expert, professional drivers run the laps, and the ride is structured so Lap 1 gives you context before you go for speed on Lap 2.

If you’re anxious, here’s how I’d handle it. Tell the driver at the start how you want your second lap to feel—fast but not crazy, or full intensity. The experience is set up to cater to your speed preference, reaching up to 180 km/h when you want it.

From rider notes, the drivers bring more than steering and braking. People repeatedly mention drivers who provide a full informative rundown, and specific praise for individuals including Steve, Paul, and Tony Quinn shows up in the feedback. That’s important because a great high-speed experience is as much communication as it is acceleration.

Weather matters more than you think

Highlands Taxi requires good weather. If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the right approach for track-based activities where grip and safety are everything.

Also, keep an eye on the day’s track conditions. One family described a situation where they originally booked Ferrari hot laps but the track was too wet, so they were offered the Porsche Taxi instead. That kind of flexibility can be a relief when conditions change, so I’d go in with the mindset of working with staff rather than assuming one exact plan will happen no matter what.

If you’re traveling during winter or shoulder season, build in some buffer. Don’t schedule this as the only thing you can do at that venue on that exact day.

Who this ride is best for

Highlands Taxi fits a few different types of trips:

• Families with kids who like action but need it handled for them: the ride is short, private, and guided.
• Couples looking for something memorable without hiking, long tours, or complicated logistics.
• Car and motorsport fans who will enjoy the park’s museum, Wall of Fame, and racing-focused exhibits.
• People who want controlled thrills: speed in a purpose-built environment, with professional drivers and a comfort-tunable second lap.

If your group hates any form of speed, you’ll still get a great experience from Lap 1’s guided circuit tour. But the thrill is the point, so honesty matters—choose a second-lap pace that matches your nerves.

Should you book the Highlands Taxi?

I’d book it if you want a high-impact experience in a short time window. The two-lap format is the difference-maker: you get a guided track introduction on Lap 1 and then a second lap where the speed can be adjusted up to 180 km/h. Add in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the fact it’s private for up to 4, and it becomes an easy “yes” for many Central Otago day trips.

I’d hesitate only if weather is likely to be rough and you can’t be flexible. This is track-based, so poor conditions can shift plans, and the ride requires good weather. Also, if you’re the type who hates short attractions, remember the taxi ride itself is around 15 minutes.

If you can schedule it on a calm-weather day, and you’re traveling with a group that can split the price, this is one of those Queenstown-area activities that feels genuinely special without turning your day into a complicated production.

FAQ

Where does the Highlands Taxi start?

It starts at Highlands Motorsport Park, at the Corner of SH6 and Sandflat Road in Sandflat Road, Cromwell 9384.

How long is the Highlands Taxi experience?

The ride is about 15 minutes.

How many people can ride in the Highlands Taxi?

It’s priced for a group of up to 4 people, with your group participating privately.

What vehicle do you ride in?

You ride in a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

What happens on the two laps?

Lap 1 is a guided tour of the 4.1 km track, and Lap 2 is driven at a speed that can be catered to your liking, up to 180 km/h.

Is confirmation provided after booking?

Yes. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Do you need good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the ride suitable for most travelers?

Most travelers can participate.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What’s the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.