Driving

Find the Best Driving Experience

RedBalloon has driving experiences right across Australia, so wherever they live, there’s a thrill within reach. Some people want to drive. Some want to hold on and let a pro do the work. Here’s how to match the experience to the person.

V8 Supercar Experiences

The most searched drive in the country, and it earns every bit of the hype. There’s a specific kind of grin that only shows up when a V8 launches down a front straight. Feel that raw pull with the Melbourne V8 Drive & Front Seat Hot Laps – 10 Laps at Sandown Raceway, where you take the wheel for eight laps then ride upfront for two hot laps with a pro. Not fussed about driving? The V8 Front Seat Hot Laps Ride – 3 Laps at Sydney Motorsport Park is three flat-out laps from the best seat in the car. Browse the full range of V8 supercar experiences to find a track near you.

Supercar Driving

For the person who’s had a poster of one on their wall since they were a kid. The Toro Lamborghini Supercar Drive – 6 Laps – Sandown Raceway is six laps of pure Italian muscle. Prefer city streets to a circuit? The Ferrari Drive in Melbourne – 60 Minutes runs through Melbourne’s most prestigious streets and around the Albert Park F1 track. See more supercar driving experiences to pick their dream car.

Rally Driving

Bitumen is optional. Rally driving is all about the slide, the noise and the spray of gravel behind you. The Rally Driving 8 Laps, 1 Hot Lap Experience – Adelaide hands over a championship-spec turbo Subaru or Mitsubishi Evo to throw around a gravel track near Truro, then finishes with a hot lap beside a real rally driver so they can see how it’s really done. Explore all rally car experiences.

Off Road Racing

For the ones who’d rather leave the track behind entirely. The V8 Trophy Truck 8 Drive Laps and 1 Hot Lap – Perth lets them muscle a genuine trophy truck around a dirt circuit before a wild hot lap in a Can-Am X3. See the full off road racing lineup.

Quad Bikes

A brilliant pick for anyone who likes their fun a little dusty. The Off Road Buggy Adventure Tour from Cairns sends them through the untamed beauty of Far North Queensland in a Can-Am Commander buggy, a half-day taste of the tropics you can’t get from a sealed road. Browse more quad bikes and off-road tours.

Go Karting

The easy yes for groups, families and competitive friend circles. The Port Melbourne Indoor Go Kart Racing Experience – 30 Minutes runs a 40-lap session on a state-of-the-art indoor track, with printed lap times to settle who’s genuinely quickest once and for all. Find more go karting sessions.

Motorbike Rides

For the thrill-seeker who wants two wheels and no responsibilities. The 3 Lap Superbike Experience Pillion Ride – 1 Hour puts them on the back of a superbike at Queensland Raceway with ex-MotoGP and World Superbike racer Anthony West at the controls. Explore all Motorbike Rides.

Sports Car & Luxury Car Hire

Not every driving experience is about speed. Some are about arriving in style. The Scenic Sydney Harbour Bridge Classic Car Drive sends them across the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House in a convertible Mustang, camera included for the proof. See the full sports & luxury car hire collection.

Vintage & Classic Cars

For lovers of chrome, character and a slower kind of cool. The Swan Valley 1970 Ford Mustang Tour is a chauffeured two-hour cruise through WA wine country in a classic V8 Mustang, stopping wherever the mood takes you. Browse more vintage & classic cars.

Driver Training

A gift that quietly pays off every single day on the road. The Defensive Driving Course with Vehicles Supplied at Willowbank is a best-selling four-hour course with expert coaching and training cars provided, perfect for a new driver or anyone wanting to sharpen up. See all driver training courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best driving experience gift in Australia?

It depends on the thrill they’re after. V8 supercar drives are the most popular, giving you laps behind the wheel of a race car with a professional guiding you. For an all-day rally adventure, the Rally Driving – Adelaide – Half Day lets you drive at least 28 laps of a gravel course in a championship-spec car.

Can I do a driving experience as a passenger instead of driving?

Yes. Plenty of experiences let you ride shotgun with a pro while they push the car to its limits. The Passenger Drifting Experience at Calder Park Raceway is three hours of sideways action from the passenger seat, no driving skills required.

Are driving experiences suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Most experiences include familiarisation laps and in-car or trackside instruction from a professional, so no prior experience is needed. Experiences like the 8 Driving Laps and 2 Hot Laps in a NextGen Mustang – Sydney build you up with guided laps before you let loose.

What driving experiences are available near me?

RedBalloon has driving experiences across every state. You’ll find them at major circuits like Sydney Motorsport Park, Sandown Raceway and The Bend, plus regional and off-road locations. Use the location filters on the driving experiences page to find the closest track.

What should I wear to a driving experience?

Enclosed shoes and comfortable clothing are the standard. Any specific requirements, like closed-toe footwear or long sleeves, are listed on the individual product page. Helmets and safety gear are supplied by the operator on the day.

Are there driving experiences for kids?

Yes. The Junior Indoor Go Kart Racing – South Coast lets junior racers loose in electric go karts for a 16-lap dash at an indoor track in Wollongong, with parents welcome to join in or cheer from the spectator zone.