Bathurst 1000 fans will have a reason to stay longer in the Central West this October, with the Minns Labor Government backing an additional day of celebrations.
One of Australia’s biggest regional sporting events, the Bathurst 1000 attracted more than 198,000 fans across its four-day program in 2025 and generated more than $41 million in visitor expenditure.
While it might take longer for racegoers to reach The Mountain this year, the NSW Government has been working closely with Bathurst Regional Council to help minimise traffic impacts of the Great Western Highway closure at Victoria Pass.
To encourage some racegoers to extend their stay and spread departures across a longer period, the NSW Government will provide $185,000 in funding to Bathurst Regional Council to host a concert on Monday 12 October.
Extending the event celebrations will give spectators the option to stay another day and head home on Tuesday 13 October, staggering traffic flow and easing congestion. It will also provide more racegoers the opportunity to stay in town, providing a further boost to local small businesses.
With tens of thousands of spectators expected to flock to Mount Panorama, Transport for NSW has been working alongside Bathurst Regional Council, neighbouring councils, Destination NSW and Supercars to support visitors during race week – as well as managing travel demand across the network.
With the Great Western Highway closure at Victoria Pass expected to place additional pressure on detour routes through Lithgow, Transport for NSW is preparing a significant operational response for race week and the Monday and Tuesday bump-out.
Transport for NSW will roll out additional transport management crews, tow trucks and drones across key routes to monitor traffic conditions. This will be supported by enhanced network monitoring and a dedicated operational response focused on keeping traffic moving safely and efficiently.
All spectators driving to the Bathurst 1000 are urged to take extra care on the roads, drive to the speed limit, and be cautious of busier than usual conditions.
Alternatively, fans can also benefit from the train services, coaches and event shuttle buses connecting Bathurst Station, Mount Panorama and the CBD. These options provide alternatives to driving and reduce pressure on the road network.
Transport for NSW will continue to work with Supercars, Destination NSW and local partners to provide real-time travel information and encourage visitors to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and consider public transport options where possible.
In line with the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to transparency and integrity in funding, the above commitments are subject to compliance with the NSW Government Grant Administration Guidelines.
You can find more information on the Supercars Bathurst 1000 event page at transportnsw.info.
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison said:
“Bathurst comes alive during race week, and we want spectators and fans to have every opportunity to stick around, enjoy the region and head home safely.
“The Bathurst 1000 always puts pressure on the local road network and with the closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass, we know surrounding roads and detour routes are going to experience even more increased activity.
“That’s why when Bathurst Regional Council came to us with a practical approach to a transport challenge – we listened, we planned, and we’ve now acted.
“This extra day of festivities will give visitors more reason to stay in town, while helping spread the flow of people heading home and ease pressure after the Bathurst 1000.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper said:
“The race may finish on Sunday, but the action does not have to stop there. We are backing an extra day of celebrations so fans can spend more time in Bathurst and take the pressure off the roads.
“Bathurst knows how to put on a great show, and this extra day gives the city another chance to showcase itself. We want visitors to experience more of what the Central West has to offer, not just the racetrack.”
Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin said:
“Major sporting events like the Bathurst 1000 are a huge economic driver for the Central West, and giving fans a compelling reason to stick around an extra day delivers a direct, tangible win for our local small businesses.
“Extending the weekend puts real dollars straight into the tills of local hoteliers, cafe owners, pub operators, and retailers right across Bathurst.
“Small businesses are always on the front line when local travel disruptions occur. We know how tough the highway closure has been, so turning a potential traffic bottleneck into an extra night of trade and local spending is a great way to give our hard-working business owners the boost they deserve.”
Deputy Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Ben Fry said:
“The impact of the Great Western Highway detour has been very real for Bathurst, for businesses, our visitor economy and for people simply trying to move between the Central West and Sydney.
“Throughout that disruption, we’ve had a constructive and practical working relationship with the NSW Government, particularly in looking for ways to reduce the pressure on our community while the highway remains constrained.
“This support would be another example of that partnership in action. It won’t remove the underlying challenges of the detour, but it is a smart, targeted measure that can help spread the post-race traffic peak, keep visitors in Bathurst longer and put more spending through local businesses at a time when they genuinely need it.”
