Track Days in Australia: Your Complete Guide
Everything from your first novice session to gear upgrades and the five top circuits in Australia. Track riding is the fastest way to become a better, safer rider.
Beginner's Guide to Track Days
What to expect, how to prepare and how to get the most from your first day on circuit.
Book a Novice or Beginner Day
Your first track day should be a dedicated novice session, not a mixed open day. Novice groups have slower speeds, mandatory passing rules (left side only in the same direction) and are supervised by marshals.
Focus on Smoothness, Not Speed
The goal of your first track day is to ride smoothly and consistently, not to set fast lap times. Smooth throttle, smooth braking and consistent corner entry teach far more than going fast and crashing.
Learn the Track Layout Before You Ride
Walk or drive the circuit layout beforehand if possible. Know where the braking markers are, where the apex is and where the track goes after the corner. Mental preparation makes a huge difference.
Stick to Your Own Pace
Ignore what other riders are doing. Your session is about your improvement, not competing with others. Being passed by faster riders is completely normal on a novice day.
Use Pit Outs and Rest Sessions
Most track days have mandatory pit periods. Use them. Drink water, cool down and debrief your session mentally. Fatigue causes mistakes and crashes.
What to Bring to a Track Day
A complete checklist covering mandatory gear, bike prep and general supplies.
Gear (mandatory)
- ✓Full-face helmet (no open-face or half helmets on track)
- ✓Leather jacket with CE Level 2 armour (textile often acceptable at novice level)
- ✓Leather or reinforced textile pants with knee and hip armour
- ✓Proper motorcycle boots (ankle protection mandatory)
- ✓Gloves with knuckle protection
- ✓Back protector (CE Level 2 strongly recommended)
Bike Preparation
- ✓Taped headlights and indicators (prevent glass scatter in a fall)
- ✓Correct tyre pressures (typically lower than road: 30/28 PSI cold)
- ✓Chain tensioned and lubed
- ✓No fluid leaks (check coolant, oil, brake fluid)
- ✓Brake and throttle function checked
- ✓Emergency contact info under seat
For the Day
- ✓Valid licence and bike registration
- ✓Medical information card in your pocket
- ✓Water and food (physical riding in all-day gear is draining)
- ✓Basic tools: tyre pressure gauge, allen keys, zip ties
- ✓Sunscreen (for paddock time)
- ✓Earplugs (for extended sessions)
Safety Gear Upgrades for Track Riding
Race-spec leather suit (one or two piece)
High PriorityThe single most important upgrade. A CE AA-rated leather suit provides significantly more abrasion resistance than street gear. Many organisers require leathers from intermediate groups upward.
Racing tyres or sport-compound road tyres
Medium PriorityStandard road tyres can overheat and lose grip under sustained track use. Sport compound tyres (Pirelli Supercorsa, Dunlop Q5) are a worthwhile upgrade if you plan regular track days.
Upgraded brakes
Medium PriorityTrack riding is far harder on brakes than road riding. Braided brake lines improve feel and consistency. Upgraded pads (Brembo SC or Galfer) resist fade during repeated hard stops.
Steering damper
Low PriorityPrevents handlebar wobble under hard acceleration and at high speed. Particularly valuable on older or more powerful bikes.
Data logger / lap timer
Optional PriorityNot safety gear but a major learning tool. A simple Bluetooth lap timer paired with your phone shows where you are gaining and losing time session by session.
Top Circuits in Australia
The five best motorcycle track day venues across the country, from international-grade facilities to club tracks.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
VIC · 4.445 km · International Grade 1
One of the most spectacular circuits on the MotoGP calendar. Phillip Island sits on a windswept island at the tip of Bass Strait with fast, flowing sections and the iconic turn one right-hander off the main straight. Suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek)
NSW · 4.53 km · FIA Grade 2
Western Sydney's premier motorsport facility hosts regular motorcycle track days across multiple circuit configurations. The long main straight and flowing infield sections suit a wide range of bikes from 250cc to open class.
Winton Motor Raceway
VIC · 3.0 km · National
Victoria's most active club racing circuit in the heart of the High Country wine region. Winton's tight, technical layout rewards precision over raw speed, making it excellent for learning racecraft and cornering technique.
Queensland Raceway
QLD · 3.12 km · National
Ipswich's Queensland Raceway features a flowing layout with a mix of high-speed sweepers and tight hairpins. Home to the Superbike series and regular motorcycle track days, it is well suited to all skill levels.
Perth Motorplex / Wanneroo
WA · 2.87 km · National
Barbagallo Wanneroo Raceway hosts WA's biggest motorcycle track days and club racing. The flowing layout with a challenging chicane section rewards smooth riding and is accessible for beginners in the morning groups.
Track Day Organiser Directory
| Organiser | States | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Stay Upright stayupright.com.au | NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA | Australia's largest motorcycle training provider. Track days at multiple circuits. |
Motorcycling Australia ma.org.au | All states | National governing body. Club racing, track days and licensing through affiliated clubs. |
California Superbike School superbikeschool.com.au | VIC (Phillip Island) | The world's leading motorcycle riding school. Highly structured coaching levels 1 to 4. |
Ride Days Australia ridedays.com.au | NSW, VIC | Public track days with novice, intermediate and advanced groups. Well-run and affordable. |
Track Attack trackattack.com.au | VIC, NSW | Popular track day organiser focused on motorcycles. Great beginner and intermediate structure. |