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Well before it became a gathering place for motor racing enthusiasts, the Mount was an important part of the local Wiradjuri tribe's culture. The Mount was called ‘Waluu', which means ‘to watch over' and it was from the vantage points now known as Skyline & McPhillamy Park that the young Wiradjuri men would watch over their land and the movements of travellers to and from the valley.
Mount Panorama Circuit is located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 200 km west of Sydney. It is a public road when not being used for racing, allowing tourists and locals to drive the famous track at a regulated speed limit. It is widely regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the world due to its steep elevation changes, tight corners, and high-speed straights. The track is famous for hosting the Bathurst 1000, one of the premier touring car races in Australia, as well as the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race.
In the early 1930s, Bathurst City Council envisioned building a scenic tourist drive to attract visitors to the area. Construction began in 1936, during the Great Depression, funded as a government project to provide employment. The initial vision was for a road circuit that would double as a race track.
The circuit officially opened on April 17, 1938, with the first event being the Australian Tourist Trophy for motorcycles. The first car race followed soon after on the same weekend.
Racing was suspended during World War II (1939–1945), but the circuit returned to action after the war.
Mount Panorama gained traction as a premier racing venue for both motorcycles and cars. Events such as the Australian Grand Prix (held at Bathurst in 1938, 1947, and 1952) brought national attention.
Through the 1950s and 60s, the track became a favorite among drivers due to its challenging nature, with tight corners and steep elevation changes. Local and international drivers began making their mark on the circuit.
Rise of the Bathurst 500/1000 (1960s–1980s) Birth of the Bathurst 500:In 1963, the first Bathurst 500 (later renamed the Bathurst 1000) was held.
Initially a 500-mile endurance race for production cars, the event quickly gained national prominence.
The original event was won by Harry Firth and Bob Jane in a Ford Cortina GT.
The Bathurst 1000 gained international attention and became a fixture on the Australian sporting calendar.
After the tragic death of Mike Burgmann in 1986, a high-speed chicane known as The Chase was introduced to slow cars down before the final corner. The Chase added another challenge to an already difficult circuit.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, major upgrades improved the safety and infrastructure of the track. While it retained its status as a dangerous and unforgiving circuit, improvements made it safer for modern racing.
After a hiatus, the Bathurst 12 Hour returned in 2007, bringing international GT3 teams to Mount Panorama. The event has since become one of the premier GT endurance races in the world. Bathurst 12Hr
Mount Panorama remains the home of the Bathurst 1000, now part of the Supercars Championship. The circuit has also hosted various other categories, including TCR Australia, Formula 3, and touring cars.
Mount Panorama has achieved legendary status in motorsport, regarded as one of the most challenging and exciting circuits in the world. Drivers often describe it as a “rollercoaster” with its steep climbs, tight corners, and high-speed straights.
Mt Panorama in Bathurst, NSW, now has a dual name which recognises the Wiradjuri history of the area.
The decision came after the Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council successfully applied to the Geographical Names Board to include the mountain’s Wiradjuri name, Wahluu.
According to Bathurst LALC, Wahluu means sacred place – a men’s initiation site.
The creation story tells of how Wiradjuri Warrior Wahluu was killed by his older brother in a dispute over a migay (young woman). Wahluu fell to the ground and blood spilled into the ground, making Biame (God) angry. Biame made the volcano erupt and lava spewed over Wahluu’s body which is now the shape of the mountain today.
History
Further InformationWikipedia
Racing Circuit Info
DRIVE:
Bathurst and Mount Panorama are located roughly 2.5 hours west of Sydney. The fastest route is through the Blue Mountains on the Great Western Highway.Bathurst also has a direct route to the ACT via Cowra and Boorowa. It takes around 3.5 hours to get to Canberra.
N.B: Please note that the Blue Mountains do become busier during weekends, especially Sunday afternoons heading back to Sydney. At the end of the Race on Sunday, the roads are so packed that it can take up to 5 hours to return to Sydney.
FLY:
Bathurst has a medium-sized regional airport located at the outlying suburb of Raglan, roughly 10 minutes from the Bathurst CBD. Regional Express (or REX) services Bathurst twice daily. Flight time is approximately 40mins depending on weather.
Local buses and taxis are available to ferry passengers to a desired location. The airport also has rent-a-car companies based there for those booking a hire car for the duration of their stay.
Regional Express website
TRAIN:
Countrylink has daily XPT trains to Bathurst from Sydney Central with selected stops in between. Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
CityRail has a daily return service (Bathurst Bullet) from Sydney to Bathurst. Trains also travel to Lithgow numerous times during the day, and passengers can book to continue to Bathurst via Coach. Prior bookings for coaches are essential and seats do fill up.
Both train and coaches stop at the Bathurst Railway Station, located at the bottom of Keppel Street. Local buses and taxi are available ferry passengers to a desired location.
Countrylink website
CityRail website
COACH:
Australia Wide Coaches has a daily bus that travels to and from Sydney. The coach originates in neighbouring Orange, and does require passengers to pre-book their seats for collection in Bathurst. Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
Australia Wide Coaches website
Orange (1 hours away), Lithgow (45mins away), Oberon (45mins away) or Blayney (30mins away). Mudgee is about 1hour 40mins away. Personally, I wouldn't like to be driving the Sofala road at 2am dodging all the wild life to make the 5:30am start.
Bathurst Regional Council (Accomodation) +61 1 800 681 000 Bathurst Accomodation +61 407 489 634 Bathurst Accomodation +61 438 316 150 Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (Camping) Bathurst Taxi +61 263 250 022 , Bathurst Taxi Booking Online,»
Getting To Bathurst » Visit Bathurst » Getting There » Orange Buslines » NSW Train Link » Regional Express (REX) »
Under Construction.
Courtesy:There are two accessible parking options available at Mt Panorama.
Accessible Car Park 1 - With the proper vehicle accreditation, accessible parking is available off Ray Bant Drive, immediately behind Accessible Viewing Platform 1, located on the outside of the circuit at Murray’s Corner. Access is via Gate 1 from Panorama Drive roundabout, provided the vehicle contains correct accreditation and all passengers in the vehicle are appropriately accredited with event tickets prior to entering the Gate. Accessible Car Park 2 - Accessible Parking is available in the main car park adjacent to Gate 4. Enter the car park off Panorama Drive.
An accessible drop off area is located near the main entrance, Gate 4, in the General car park off Panorama Drive.
There are two dedicated viewing platforms available at this year’s event.
Viewing Platform 1 - Located on the outside of the circuit, just prior to Murrays Corner, between the Rydges Hotel and National Motor Museum. Viewing Platform 2 - Located in Merchandise Alley (Harris Park) at Murrays Corner, next to the pedestrian bridge to the National Motor Museum.
Both platforms are attended by Officials throughout the event and allow access to those patrons with a disability and one (1) companion. Please note that there is a strict one carer/companion policy.
For any corporate clients who have tickets in the Pit Building, there is a passenger lift located on the ground floor between tower 2 and 3.
For access to Viewing Platform 1 the best entry gatse are Gate 1 and Gate 21. For access to Viewing Platform 2 the best entry gate is Gate 4.
Carers with a Companion Card are entitled to concession priced ticketing and one accompanying carer per person will be entitled to access the accessible viewing platform
There are a number of wheelchair friendly toilets in the precinct. Locations are:
Organisation (Vivability Limited, we provide individualised flexible, inclusive and engaging programs to individuals with disabilities) purchased Marveloo, one of only ten available in Australia for hire. Access to the Marveloo is via MLAK key, which are readily available.
Track crossings are no longer required as Bathurst Regional Council has installed a lift on the Repco Bridge allowing access to the inside of the track.
Accessible shuttle bus services will be available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the event between 8.30am and 6.30pm. Patrons must call Bathurst Bus Lines on 0408 482 951 to arrange pickup. Any transfers that are within the bottom of the venue will not be charged. The shuttle will pick patrons up from Viewing Platform 1 on the outside of Murray’s Corner and drop Off to the desired location. Once ready to return patrons will need to contact the shuttle driver again to be picked up and returned to the desired platform.
The lower half of the track is very accessible, with mostly asphalt and concrete around, there is an elevator on the outside of the circuit at the main gantry at start/finish and there is another elevator behind the pits in between towers 2 and 3. it also has access to the roof for spectating. There are multiple accessible toilets around too, some under the main grandstand and some at the base of the towers behind the pits
Courtesy: Cameron Shaw| NAME | ADDRESS | CONTACT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS Mechanical | 2/45 Upfold Street, Gormans Hill, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 9001 | csmechanical@live.com.au |
| Westend Auto Repairs | 2 Lambert Street Bathurst, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2920 | Contact Us |
| Inwood Motors | 16 Lambert St, Bathurst, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2479 | enquiries@inwoodmotors.com.au |
| Panorama Automotive | Unit 2/58-60 Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6332 6449 | Contact Us |
| Robinson Auto Repairs | 1 Vale Road Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6305 6304 | Contact Us |
| Goodyear Autocare Bathurst | 223 Howick Street, Bathurst, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2600 | accounts@bxtyres.com |
| Adam Cope Mechanical | 10 Kirkcaldy St, Bathurst, NSW 2795 | +61 2 6332 5551 | Contact Us |
| NAME | ADDRESS | CONTACT | MAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Knickerbocker | 110 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795, Australia | +61 2 6332 4500 | |
| Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst | 1 Conrod Straight, Mount Panorama NSW 2795 | +61 2 6338 1888 | |
| Abercrombie Motor Inn | 362 Stewart Street, Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2966 | |
| Bathurst Explorers Motel | 357 Stewart Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2966 | |
| Bathurst Heritage Motor Inn | 102 Stewart Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6334 3433 | |
| Bathurst Motor Inn | 87 Durham Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2222 | |
| Ben Chifley Motor Inn | 272 Stewart Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 5055 | |
| Best Western Coachman's Inn Motel | 1 Littlebourne Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 4855 | |
| Country Lodge Motor Inn | 145 William Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 4888 | |
| Family Hotel | 76 Bentinck Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 1353 | |
| Gold Panner Motor Inn | 260 Sydney Road Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 4444 | |
| Littomore Suites Bathurst | 19 Charlotte Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2211 | |
| Kings Hotel | 60 George Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 1852 | |
| Panorama Motel Bathurst | 51 Durham Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 2666 | |
| The George Hotel | 201 George Street Bathurst NSW 2795 | +61 2 6331 3399 |
