Queensland's got more go kart options than you might think — from big commercial hire kart venues in Brisbane and the Gold Coast to proper club racing circuits scattered across the state. Whether you're after a fun afternoon with mates, a birthday thing with the kids, or you actually want to get competitive and race, there's something here for you. We've pulled together every venue we know of, with ratings and real review counts, so you can figure out which one's actually worth your time.
Brisbane's got a solid mix of commercial hire kart venues and club circuits, and honestly the quality is pretty high across the board. The south side of the city has the two biggest names — Kingston Park and Slideways — and both have well over a thousand reviews, which tells you people keep coming back. If you're after proper racing rather than hire karts, Willowbank out near Ipswich is where the serious club action happens.
Kingston Park Raceway is one of south-east Queensland's most popular go-kart venues, with well over a thousand reviews and a consistent reputation for fast karts and a genuinely fun track. It's a proper full-scale facility that handles everything from casual sessions to corporate events and competitive racing nights.
Slideways is one of Brisbane's most popular go-kart venues, with well over a thousand reviews and a reputation that's held strong for years. The 4.7 star rating is genuinely impressive at that review volume — it means people consistently leave happy. Well-run, high-energy, and a proper track.
Game Over Brisbane in Oxley is an indoor go-kart and entertainment complex that draws families and groups from across Brisbane's south-west. The electric karts are clean and quiet, the track is fast, and it's popular for birthday parties and work events. Part of the Game Over group which also runs the popular Gold Coast and North Lakes locations.
Game Over North Lakes is a family entertainment venue in North Lakes offering electric go-kart racing alongside laser tag and other activities. It fills a real gap on Brisbane's north side where options have historically been thinner. Worth checking out if you're based in Moreton Bay or the northern suburbs.
Ipswich Kart Club at Willowbank is one of Queensland's most highly regarded kart clubs, combining a well-maintained circuit with a strong competitive program and a welcoming atmosphere for drivers of all ages and experience levels. If hire kart centres feel too casual and you want to actually race, this is where to go.
The Ipswich City Dirt Kart Club runs regular dirt kart racing at Willowbank — different beast entirely from hire karts, and a great entry point into grassroots motorsport for kids especially. The club is welcoming and the barrier to entry is lower than you'd expect.
Adrenaline Sports in Withcott sits right on the highway between Brisbane and Toowoomba, making it a handy stop if you're heading inland or coming back from the Lockyer Valley. A solid go-kart venue with good reviews and a friendly, well-run operation.
The Gold Coast punches above its weight for go karting — the two main venues here are genuinely excellent and between them they've got over 2,400 reviews. Slideways Gold Coast is regularly described as one of the best hire kart experiences in the whole country, which is a big call, but the numbers back it up.
Slideways at Nerang is widely rated as one of Queensland's best hire kart experiences — the track has real elevation changes and the pro karts are genuinely quick. With over 1,100 reviews sitting at 4.5 stars, it's clearly doing something right. A proper outdoor circuit rather than an indoor box, which makes a big difference to the experience.
Game Over Gold Coast at Helensvale is one of the region's most popular indoor entertainment venues, combining electric go-kart racing with laser tag, arcade games and more. Over 1,200 reviews and still sitting at 4.4 stars means the experience holds up at scale. Great for mixed groups where not everyone is just there for the karts.
If you're on the Gold Coast and tossing up between these two: Slideways Nerang is the one for people who actually want to drive — proper outdoor circuit, fast petrol karts, it feels like racing. Game Over Helensvale is better if you've got a mixed group — especially kids — because there's more to do beyond the karts and the electric karts are quieter and more accessible for younger riders.
The Sunshine Coast's headline go-kart venue is genuinely one of the best in Australia — a big outdoor circuit that's a cut above most hire kart places. It's worth the drive even from Brisbane if go karting is the main event.
Big Kart Track at Landsborough is one of the biggest outdoor go-kart circuits in Australia — a 1.2km layout with proper run-off areas and karts that genuinely move. Over 1,300 reviews and it's held a 4.4 star average throughout, which for a venue of that size and throughput is impressive. A full day out rather than just a quick session.
Cooloola Coast Kart Club at Gympie is a well-regarded club circuit in the Sunshine Coast hinterland — the kind of friendly grassroots club where you turn up not knowing anyone and leave with a group of mates. The 4.6 star rating from club racing visitors says a lot about the atmosphere.
Toowoomba Kart Club at Helidon Spa runs a solid club circuit west of the range with a well-regarded competitive program and a strong community feel. A proper club racing environment — not a hire kart centre, so come ready to race.
Warwick Kart Club carries the highest star rating of any go-kart venue in Queensland — 4.8 stars is hard to achieve, even with a smaller review count. A long-established club circuit in the Southern Downs that takes genuine pride in what it does. Smaller and more personal than the big commercial venues, which is exactly why people love it.
Dalby Go Kart Track is a friendly country kart club on the Western Downs — relaxed, welcoming, and a genuine community asset for the region. If you're passing through or based in the area, it's worth a look.
North Queensland is genuinely well-served for go karting given the population size. Cairns has a couple of options, Townsville has its own club circuit, and there's even a kart track in the Whitsundays for when you want to do something between days on the water.
Cairns Kart Hire is Cairns' busiest go-kart and activity venue, pulling in over 500 reviews with a solid 4.4 star average. It combines go-karts with laser tag and escape rooms, making it a popular pick for visitors looking to fill a day between reef trips. Well-located in the city.
Kartcity is a newer Cairns go-kart facility with a perfect five-star rating from early visitors — with a very small review count so far, but praised specifically for the genuine enthusiasm and motorsport knowledge of the team running it. Worth watching as it builds its reputation.
Townsville Kart Club at Bohle is North Queensland's home of competitive kart racing — well-maintained circuit, multi-class competition, and a solid community of local racers who keep the club running well year round.
Pitstop Karting is Townsville's hire kart option — more accessible and casual than the kart club, with 223 reviews at a solid 4.4 stars. Good for groups, families with younger kids, or anyone who wants to show up and race without being a club member.
Yes, there's a go-kart track on Hamilton Island. It's a genuinely fun circuit with proper lap timing and competitive racing — a surprisingly good activity to add to a Whitsundays trip. Consistently well-reviewed by visitors who weren't expecting much and came away impressed.
Mackay Kart Club at Palmyra is a well-organised club venue on Queensland's Whitsunday Coast — hire karts available alongside the competitive program, so it's accessible to visitors as well as club members. 4.6 stars from a genuine local following.
Gladstone Kart Club has an elevated track layout that adds genuine excitement — it's not flat like most club circuits and that makes a real difference to how the racing feels. Hire karts available, strong community, and a 4.7 star rating that reflects how much the locals love it.
Makotrac is a go-kart and mini golf venue in Mareeba, about an hour inland from Cairns in the Atherton Tablelands. It's the go-to activity stop for families exploring the Tablelands and has built a solid following over the years as a reliable fun stop on the tourist trail.
If you just want the quick version — here's every venue in one table, sorted by review count so you can see where the crowds go.
| Venue | Location | Rating | Reviews | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Park Raceway | Kingston (Brisbane) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 | 1,711 | Hire Karts |
| Big Kart Track | Landsborough (Sunshine Coast) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 1,338 | Hire Karts |
| Game Over Gold Coast | Helensvale (Gold Coast) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 1,299 | Hire Karts + Entertainment |
| Slideways Brisbane | Eagle Farm (Brisbane) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.7 | 1,211 | Hire Karts |
| Slideways Gold Coast | Nerang (Gold Coast) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 | 1,136 | Hire Karts |
| Cairns Kart Hire | Cairns City | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 543 | Hire Karts + Entertainment |
| Game Over Brisbane | Oxley (Brisbane) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 | 311 | Hire Karts + Entertainment |
| Pitstop Karting | Garbutt (Townsville) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 223 | Hire Karts |
| Go-Kart Racing Track Whitsundays | Hamilton Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 | 128 | Hire Karts |
| Adrenaline Sports QLD | Withcott (Lockyer Valley) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 | 108 | Hire Karts |
| Ipswich Kart Club | Willowbank (Ipswich) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6 | 106 | Club Racing |
| Makotrac International Racetrack | Mareeba (Tablelands) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 | 84 | Hire Karts |
| Toowoomba Kart Club | Helidon Spa | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 | 52 | Club Racing |
| Cooloola Coast Kart Club | Gympie | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6 | 48 | Club Racing |
| Ipswich City Dirt Kart Club | Willowbank (Ipswich) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 | 47 | Club Racing (Dirt) |
| Gladstone Kart Club | South Trees (Gladstone) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.7 | 39 | Club Racing |
| Warwick Kart Club | Allan (Darling Downs) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ 4.8 | 34 | Club Racing |
| Mackay Kart Club | Palmyra (Mackay) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6 | 28 | Club Racing |
| Townsville Kart Club | Bohle (Townsville) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 19 | Club Racing |
| Dalby Go Kart Track | Dalby | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 | 18 | Club Racing |
| Kartcity | Portsmith (Cairns) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 | 3 | Hire Karts |
| Game Over North Lakes | North Lakes (Brisbane) | — | — | Hire Karts + Entertainment |