Motorsport fans heading to this year’s Bathurst 1000 are being urged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and take additional care on the roads, with increased traffic expected to put further pressure on the road network while Victoria Pass remains closed.
The ongoing closure of Victoria Pass means motorists travelling via the Great Western Highway will be diverted through Darling Causeway, Scenic Hill, Chifley Road and Main Street in Lithgow, with delays potentially exceeding an hour during the busiest periods.
Racegoers are encouraged to consider alternative routes to Bathurst, including via the Hume Highway or Golden Highway or consider public transport where possible. Additional train services, coaches and event shuttle buses will connect Bathurst Station, Mount Panorama and the CBD to help reduce pressure on the road network.
Motorists should also expect increased traffic on the Mitchell Highway and Mid-Western Highway, as well as the M4 Motorway, Bells Line of Road and Castlereagh Highway.
Transport for NSW has deployed additional resources, including drone pilots, mobile CCTV, traffic monitoring cameras, additional traffic control crews and heavy and light tow vehicles to help respond quickly to incidents and keep traffic moving.
Drivers using the Great Western Highway detour route are urged to drive to the conditions, follow the speed limit and allow extra time. Mobile speed cameras and seatbelt detection cameras are operating along the route to encourage safe driver behaviour, while NSW Police have increased monitoring in the area.
The traditional post-race traffic peak is expected on Monday, with significant eastbound traffic leaving Bathurst and travelling through the Blue Mountains, as well as increased westbound traffic on the Mid-Western Highway and Mitchell Highway.
The NSW Government has provided $185,000 in funding to Bathurst Regional Council to support a concert on Monday 12 October, giving visitors the opportunity to stay an extra night, to help spread traffic over a longer period. Transport for NSW crews will maintain an increased presence on the detour route until Tuesday afternoon.
Parents and carers in Bathurst, Lithgow and surrounding areas are also reminded that Tuesday 13 October is the first day back from school holidays for many NSW students and the first day of the 2026 Higher School Certificate exams. Extra travel time should be allowed for school and exam journeys on Tuesday morning.
Transport for NSW will work with Supercars and local partners to provide real-time travel information throughout the event, with motorists encouraged to check conditions before they travel, plan their journey and allow extra time.
More information about getting to the Bathurst 1000 is available at transportnsw.info Bathurst 1000 travel information.
To plan a public transport journey, visit Transport for NSW journey planning.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
“We can’t wait for racegoers to descend on the Central West for the Bathurst 1000, but we want all motorists to be extra vigilant on the way, and around Mount Panorama.
“Transport for NSW and NSW Police will be around to help with traffic management, but we’re also urging everyone to take their time, and follow the road rules.
“The Bathurst 1000 always brings extra traffic to the region, but due to the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, we’re expecting longer than usual wait times.
“The message is simple. Have a great weekend, enjoy the race, embrace the Central West and what it has to offer, but take your time on the road and drive safely.”
Quotes attributable to Acting Secretary Transport for NSW, Trudi Mares:
“The Bathurst 1000 is one of the real highlights on the regional NSW calendar each year, but it always brings some challenges on our roads.
“The ongoing closure of Victoria Pass has added an extra challenge this year but Transport has worked closely with Bathurst Regional Council, Lithgow City Council, Supercars, NSW Police, SES, Rural Fire Service, Destination NSW and Office of Sport to best plan for those traffic impacts and to urge all motorists to take care on the roads.
“We want everyone to enjoy another fantastic Bathurst 1000 but, more importantly, we want everyone to get there and back safely.”
