I’ll admit it — I was sceptical when someone told me there was a go-kart track in West Footscray where the floor changes mid-race. “It’s like Mario Kart, but real,” they said. Naturally, I had to investigate.
Tucked away in a massive converted warehouse on McArthur Street is BattleKart Melbourne, a space that looks like it was dreamt up by gamers, engineers, and the kind of people who host epic LAN parties. It’s part go-karting, part video game, and a completely different way to spend an afternoon (or evening) in the west.
Wait, How Does It Work?
BattleKart isn’t your typical race track. There are no cones or tyres or dusty corners to drift around. Instead, you’re driving real electric go-karts across a flat, open track — but everything else, from the racetrack to the rules, is projected onto the ground. It’s weird and a little surreal, like stepping into a digital playground.
You get behind the wheel, lights go down, and the floor lights up with colours, patterns, goals, trails, and even viruses (in one game, at least). The track can change each round, so no two races feel quite the same. Sometimes you’re trying to outrun friends. Other times you’re in a team, chasing a ball or claiming territory by driving over squares.
It’s surprisingly immersive — and weirdly competitive. Especially when someone gets a speed boost and overtakes you in the final seconds.
What’s It Actually Like?
The vibe here is low-key and friendly. There’s no need for helmets (the karts have anti-collision tech), and it’s easy enough for first-timers. You get a quick briefing, hop into your kart, and before you know it, you’re yelling “NOOOO” as someone zaps you mid-race.
Each round lasts about 15 minutes, and you can do multiple games with breaks in between. There’s a lounge area with a photobooth, arcade, snacks and drinks, and you can watch your mates while they race if you’re not up next.
The crowd? A mix of uni students, big kids, and groups celebrating birthdays or buck’s nights. It’s not loud or hectic like a club, more like a massive arcade where everyone’s a bit giddy from adrenaline and glowing floors.
Not Just for Gamers
You don’t need to be into video games to enjoy this, though it helps if you’ve played Mario Kart at least once. Mostly, it’s just good fun. And there’s something satisfying about the fact that it’s not a franchise-style entertainment centre. It feels local, experimental, and a little bit nerdy, in the best way.
It’s also pretty inclusive. The karts are electric and quiet. The venue is wheelchair accessible. And there’s a minimum height (1.45m) rather than an age limit, so teenagers and adults can race together. If you’re looking for something to do that’s active but not outdoors, this ticks a lot of boxes.
The Details
Address: 50 McArthur Street, West Footscray VIC 3012 Phone: +61 477 602 057
Email: info@melbourne.battlekart.com
Website: battlekart.com/en/melbourne
Opening Hours:
● Mon–Thurs: 3:00pm – 11:00pm
● Fri–Sat: 11:30am – 1:00am
● Sunday: 11:30am – 11:00pm
Follow them here:
● Instagram
● Facebook
This isn’t your usual weekend plan, and that’s kind of the point. BattleKart is somewhere between sport and spectacle, with just enough chaos to make you forget you’re in Footscray and not inside a Nintendo game. Whether you’re racing for fun or bragging rights, it’s an unexpectedly great time, especially if you’re the type to yell “LET’S GO” before every turn.
