- Five days of racing action across hill climb, beach racing, drags, speedway and sprint events.
- Celebrate Burt Munro’s legendary spirit and explore Southland’s world-class museums and roads.
- Invercargill transforms into NZ’s motorcycling capital from 4–8 February 2026 — accommodation books fast.
Five days. One legend. Unlimited throttle. The Burt Munro Challenge 2026 turns Invercargill into the beating heart of Kiwi motorcycling with epic racing, incredible roads and a festival atmosphere like nowhere else in NZ.
Who’s heading down to Invercargill in February for the Burt Munro Challenge? Nope? Not done it? Don’t know what it is? Hell, where have you been! This is a 5 days of motorcycling heaven where you get to watch EPIC racing, hang out with fellow motorcyclists, check out the incredible Classic Motorcycle Mecca museum and ride some of the best roads NZ has to offer!
Yep, it’s time to dust off your bike and head south for an adventure like no other. From 4–8 February 2026, Invercargill becomes the beating heart of New Zealand motorcycling with the legendary Burt Munro Challenge.
Who Was Burt Munro?
If you’re from New Zealand and you’re a motorcyclist, well, we’d hazard a guess you already know (and don’t admit it if you don’t!) If you reading this outside of NZ and you are planning a trip to New Zealand to enjoy our incredible country and motorcycling roads, then knowing about Burt and scheduling the Burt Munro Challenge into your itinerary is something you’ll want to do. Just be advised – get in early with booking accommodation and hiring a bike as this is NZ’s version of legendary motorcycling events like Sturgis. It’s become an annual pilgrimage for riders and it’s only getting better.
Back to Burt and the reason the Challenge takes place, he was born in Invercargill, but it took a while for Burt Munro to become a global motorcycling icon. With his 1920 Indian Scout, modified in his own shed, he broke land speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967 and became a symbol of perseverance and innovation, especially when his life was immortalised in the incredible movie ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ where Sir Anthony Hopkins performed his best southlander accent, rolled his rrrrs, and played Burt in this incredible movie. And now, with the Burt Munro Challenge, Burt’s spirit lives on in every race and every rider who takes part in the event.
What’s On
This event is what you make it. Camp at the rally site and join the famous Saturday night party, or book a motel, hotel, or luxury B&B. Whatever spins your wheels, you’ll find it here and design your own good time. There’s plenty to see and do when you’re down there, although the racing is the highlight, with 5 different disciplines taking place over the course of the event that makes the spectating even more spectacular.
Over the course of the five days there’s plenty of adrenaline-fueled action that awaits you. The highlights include:
Bluff Hill Climb – A visceral experience where engines scream and riders battle gravity to reach the summit.
Indian Motorcycle Twilight Drag Racing – Watch racers streak down Teretonga Park straight at speeds over 250kph.
Beach Racing & NZ Champs at Oreti – Stand on the sand where Burt once opened the throttle and feel the raw power of bikes tearing across the beach.
Teretonga Sprint Races & NZ Superbike Champs – Experience the thrill of racing on the world’s southernmost FIA-approved circuit.
Speedway Spectacular – Brakeless bikes sliding through dirt in the afternoon, thrilling huge crowds around the circuit.
More Than Racing
The Burt Munro Challenge is as much about people as it is about bikes. If you’ve been there, you’ll know what we talking about, with Invercargill’s streets filled with every kind of machine, vintage, touring, choppers, cruisers, sport, and adventure bikes. Camaraderie is forged through shared experiences, stories of the journey south, and discovering Southland’s highways and back roads.
YOU MUST!
Call into E Hayes & Sons, a family-owned hardware store turned museum, and home to Burt’s original 1920 Indian Scout and a world-class collection of motorcycles and memorabilia. With a collection of incredible machines along with memorabilia from Burt’s time chasing his dream including some of his homemade pistons that he famously called “Offerings To The God Of Speed”. The 1920 Indian Scout ‘Munro Special’ sits proudly on display where Burt himself left it, and is the centrepiece of a unique private collection of over 100 classic, vintage and modern motorcycles, engines and equipment that is sure to impress. Oh, and it’s completely FREE to go and see!
Also make time for Transport World, New Zealand’s largest private automotive museum, and Classic Motorcycle Mecca, which showcases an incredible collection of classic bikes from around the world. Afterward, grab a seat at a local café or bar and soak up the rumble of bikes echoing through the city.
Plan Ahead
Accommodation and rally spots fill fast, so book early. If you’re coming from the North Island, secure your Interislander ferry as soon as possible.
And why stop there? While you’re down south, take the time to explore more of Southland on two wheels, cruise the rugged coastline of The Catlins, marvel at the starry skies of Rakiura Stewart Island, and ride through the majestic wilderness of Fiordland.
Ready to feel closer to a legend? Visit https://www.burtmunrochallenge.co.nz/home for tickets, schedules, and everything you need to plan your adventure.
