Uniquely Kiwi Landsailing Adventure

A blokart is a small, three-wheeled land yacht with a sail, and at Velocity Karts you learn to steer one around New Zealand’s only custom-built landsailing track in Australasia. The action is simple to pick up, but the wind gives every lap a different feel. You can cruise gently or chase your friends around the circuit.

I like the short learning curve and the setting, with farmland and the Port Hills behind the track. I also like the care taken with different abilities: sail size is matched to the wind, your build, and your confidence. The main consideration is weather. This is a wind sport, so poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or a change of date.

Why this Christchurch activity deserves a place on your list

• New Zealand-born adventure: Blokart landsailing was invented in New Zealand, giving this ride a genuine local connection.
• About 45 minutes on the track: The full outing lasts roughly two hours, including transport, instruction, and gearing up.
• Small groups: A maximum of eight people keeps the briefing and track time manageable.
• Pickup is offered: The track sits about 15 minutes from Christchurch CBD and Lyttelton Port.
• Built for a wide age range: The activity is designed for riders from 7 to 87 and older, with help available for physical or other restrictions.
• Optional extra ride: You may be able to add Electric Drift Trikes, but allow about 30 more minutes.

A New Zealand invention with a surprisingly quick start

The best part of this experience is that you do not need to arrive with a racing background. You sit in the low kart, hold the steering bars, and use the sail to catch the wind. The instructors get you moving in minutes, then help you improve as the session goes on.

That makes blokarting a smart choice for mixed groups. One person can be cautious, another can be competitive, and both can have a worthwhile ride. The sail is selected to suit the conditions and the rider, so you are not simply handed the same setup as everyone else.

The track is purpose-built rather than an improvised patch of open ground. That matters. It gives the instructors a defined circuit to explain, and it gives you corners, straight sections, and changing lines to work out. The circuit may be adjusted for the day’s conditions, so you are not guaranteed the same ride twice.

The activity also has a nice local story. Blokart landsailing was invented in New Zealand, and Velocity Karts is described as the only custom-built track of its kind in Australasia. This is not just another version of go-karting with a sail attached. It is a distinctly Kiwi way to spend a couple of hours.

Getting there from Christchurch or Lyttelton

The track is about 15 minutes from Christchurch CBD and roughly the same distance from the port of Lyttelton. Pickup is offered, which is useful if you are staying in the city or stepping ashore from a cruise ship. A key strength here is the transport experience: Ian, the business owner and a lifelong Christchurch resident, provides an informative ride to the site.

That drive is more than a transfer. It gives you a local introduction before the activity starts, and one review specifically praised the pickup for being on time and easy to find. If you are arranging a shore day, the short distance from Lyttelton is especially helpful, though you should still allow enough time around your ship’s schedule.

The location has a rural feel, with farmland and the Port Hills as a backdrop. You are close to the city, but the setting does not feel like an urban amusement center. That contrast is part of the appeal.

The maximum group size is eight. That is small enough for clear instruction and individual help, but it does mean availability may be limited on popular dates. The experience had more than 10 bookings in the previous month, so advance booking makes sense if your Christchurch schedule is tight.

What happens when you arrive

Once you reach Velocity Karts, you are fitted with a helmet and gloves. You then watch a short instructional video before receiving a briefing on the circuit being used that day.

This order works well. You get the basic information before sitting in the kart, then receive practical guidance once you are looking at the actual track. Ian and Lily are involved in the instruction and preparation, with help available as you get used to steering and managing the sail.

Do not expect a long classroom session. The idea is to get you onto the track promptly, then let you learn through controlled practice. The instructors remain on hand while you find the feel of the kart and work out how to carry speed through the corners.

The sail choice is one of the most important details. It is adjusted for wind conditions, your size, and your confidence. A smaller or more manageable setup can give a nervous beginner a comfortable start, while a more adventurous rider can receive a stronger challenge when conditions allow.

That flexibility also makes the activity suitable for families and mixed-age groups. Most people can participate, and the operator works with people who have physical or other restrictions to help them operate a kart successfully. You should discuss any specific needs when booking, since the available setup depends on the individual and the conditions.

Forty-five minutes of wind-powered racing

The main ride lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to move beyond the first cautious laps and start making decisions for yourself. You will learn how the kart responds when you turn, how the sail behaves in the wind, and how small changes in your line affect your speed.

The competitive side arrives naturally. You can race friends and family around the circuit, compare lap times informally, and enjoy the small victories that come with getting a corner right. One of the pleasures here is that you do not need a motor to create speed. The wind does the work, and the track conditions give the session its character.

At the same time, this is not a high-pressure race meeting. The gear and instruction are set up for different confidence levels, and the team keeps safety in view. Riders who want a thrill can push harder, while more cautious participants can focus on learning the controls.

The 45-minute figure is worth noting because the total tour time is about two hours, including transport. You are not paying for two full hours of track action. You are paying for the complete outing: pickup, transfer, fitting equipment, instruction, riding, and return transport. That is a fair way to judge the price.

What makes the track different

A custom-built track gives the session a clearer shape than open-field landsailing. You know where to go, the instructors can explain the circuit, and you have a marked area in which to build confidence.

The course can change according to the day’s conditions. That is good for repeat visitors and adds variety to a first ride, but it also means the exact layout is not fixed. You may need to listen closely during the briefing rather than relying on a map or memory.

The Port Hills and farmland provide a pleasant setting without turning the outing into a sightseeing tour. Your focus is on the kart, the wind, and the next corner, but the open surroundings make the activity feel less enclosed than an indoor kart track.

The wind is both the engine and the uncertainty. A calm day may produce a gentler session, while stronger wind can create more speed and excitement. Conditions need to be suitable for the activity, so poor weather can result in a new date or a full refund. Build a little flexibility into your schedule if possible.

Is $61.44 a fair price?

At $61.44 per person, the cost is reasonable for a two-hour experience with pickup offered and about 45 minutes of active riding. The value is strongest if you need transport from Christchurch or Lyttelton, since that removes the trouble of arranging your own way to the track.

The price also includes the parts that are easy to overlook: helmets, gloves, the instructional video, a safety and circuit briefing, sail selection, and guidance during the ride. You are not expected to arrive knowing how to sail a kart.

If you compare it with a standard go-kart session, the appeal is different. A motorized kart gives you immediate, predictable power. A blokart gives you a more unusual experience, with speed shaped by wind and technique. For a first-time activity in Christchurch, that distinctiveness adds value.

The optional Electric Drift Trikes are a separate activity. If you add them, allow about 30 minutes extra before returning to your pickup point. The supplied information does not state the extra price, so check that before committing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would suggest blokarting for families, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers looking for something outside the usual Christchurch sightseeing circuit. It works particularly well for a group with different ages because the setup can be adjusted to suit each rider.

It is also a good pick if you like activities that feel active without demanding specialist fitness or technical skill. The operator describes the karts as easier to use than a bicycle, and the instruction is designed to get you piloting quickly.

You should think twice if your plans cannot tolerate a weather change. The experience depends on suitable conditions, and there is no way to guarantee that the wind will cooperate on your chosen day.

The activity may also suit people with physical or other restrictions, but do not rely on a general promise of accessibility for a specific need. Contact Velocity Karts in advance and explain what assistance or adaptation you require. The team can then advise what is workable.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. Service animals are allowed, and the site is near public transportation, though pickup may be the easiest option for many people.

Wear clothing that can handle an outdoor activity. The provided information confirms helmets and gloves, but it does not list a full clothing or footwear requirement, so check with the operator if you are unsure.

Keep the timing in mind. The advertised two hours includes the journey to and from the site, not just time in the kart. If you add Electric Drift Trikes, allow around 30 extra minutes.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, except that poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may result in a different date or a full refund.

Why the instruction matters

Blokarting looks simple, but a good briefing makes the difference between merely rolling around and understanding how to use the wind. Ian and Lily provide the gear, explain the circuit, and stay available while you get the feel of the controls.

The personal touch is useful during pickup too. Ian drives the transfer and is a lifelong Christchurch resident, so the journey can include local context rather than being a silent shuttle.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the staff’s professionalism, clear preparation, and care from pickup through drop-off. That is important for an activity where some people may feel unsure at first. You want instructors who can make the first few minutes feel manageable without taking away the fun.

The result is an outing that can be as gentle or as exciting as you want. You might spend the first laps learning how to turn, then find yourself grinning as you chase a faster friend around the circuit.

Should you book Velocity Karts?

Book it if you want a genuinely New Zealand activity that is easy to learn, suitable for a wide age range, and close to both Christchurch and Lyttelton. The pickup option, small group limit, adaptable sails, and patient instruction make it a practical choice, not just a novelty.

Skip it if you need a fixed, all-weather plan or want a long sightseeing tour. Most of your time is devoted to the track, and the exact experience depends on wind and weather.

For a price of $61.44, I think this is a strong Christchurch option for active families, first-time adventure seekers, and cruise passengers with a free half-day. Check the forecast, allow extra time for the optional Drift Trikes, and book ahead if your schedule is limited.

FAQ

Where is the blokarting experience located?

Velocity Karts is about 15 minutes from Christchurch CBD and approximately 15 minutes from the port of Lyttelton.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the total experience takes about two hours including travel time.

How long do you ride the blokart?

You can expect about 45 minutes of blokart landsailing during the experience.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What ages can participate?

The activity is designed for riders from 7 to 87 and older. Most people can participate.

Do I need previous blokarting experience?

No previous experience is stated as necessary. You receive a short instructional video, a circuit briefing, and guidance from the instructors before and during the ride.

What equipment is provided?

You are fitted with a helmet and gloves. The sail is selected according to the wind, your size, and your confidence level.

Is the activity accessible for people with restrictions?

The operator can work with people who have physical or other restrictions to help them operate a kart. Contact Velocity Karts before booking to discuss your specific needs.

Can I try Electric Drift Trikes?

Yes, Electric Drift Trikes may be available as a separate activity. Allow about 30 extra minutes if you add them, and check the additional cost when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.