A new Central Otago event is taking shape at Cromwell Racecourse, and organisers are aiming for Easter Weekend 2027 as the launch date
On the back of the fourth and final Wheels at Wānaka event in 2025, a new venture is being planned that stakeholders are hoping will be the location of a biannual gathering for the foreseeable future.
Named Central Otago Tracks & Wheels, planning is well underway for the Cromwell Racecourse-based event that will be the latest addition to the South Island’s rural events calendar, and with the first show planned for Easter Weekend 2027, significant hurdles are being quickly overcome to ensure the relatively tight deadline is met.
In early March 2026, the Cromwell Community Board unanimously agreed to support the proposal for the event, which included earthworks needed to create safe areas for equipment demonstrations and displays.
The racecourse, which is owned as a council reserve, is leased to and operated by the Central Lakes Equestrian Club. In recent years, the site has been through a reserve management planning process designed to support a broader mix of sporting and recreational activities while continuing its equestrian role.
“A memorandum of understanding has been agreed to between event organisers and the equestrian club, who support the proposal,” says Cromwell Community Board member Wally Sanford, who was appointed as council representative to the organising committee.
Similar to Wheels at Wānaka, the event will have a focus on working machinery, including historical transport vehicles and agricultural equipment, so a focus that closely aligns with earthworks, quarrying and agriculture – a key contributor to the Central Otago economy.
Organisers, council staff and elected members had met onsite to work through logistics of how the event can co-exist with regular users of the reserve.
“There will be a number of upgrades needed to accommodate the expected crowds and exhibitors, so we are still working through what that will look like,” says Wally.
A report prepared by parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey detailed the site modifications required for the proposed event at the racecourse.
Among the planned changes is the development of a permanent machinery display and demonstration area, referred to as a parade ground, with enough space to accommodate a full-sized rugby field at its centre. The area could also serve as a venue for concerts and other sporting or community activities in the future.
Plans also included a dedicated excavation and machinery operating zone, complete with a spectator embankment for viewing demonstrations.
In his report, Gordon noted the ground in this section would be excavated and re-levelled following each event to reduce long-term impacts on other users of the reserve.
Holding the event over Easter Weekend is expected to draw a mix of Central Otago residents, regional travellers, along with large numbers of machinery and transport enthusiasts. Along with the displays and demonstrations, organisers are planning family-focused entertainment, food stalls and industry exhibitor sites.
The event is expected to have a more down-to-earth feel centred on working machinery, live demonstrations and the people behind the industries involved, as opposed to a large-scale commercial field days format.
In late March 2026, the Central Otago District Council provided consent under clause 5 of its lease with the Central Lakes Equestrian Club for the Cromwell Racecourse Reserve to be improved so it could hold the proposed event.
“Earthworks are planned for the end of winter, so grass can be sown and ready for the Easter 2027 event,” says Wally.
More information, including exhibitor and attendance details, will be made available as the project develops.
Images by DOW Library
