The Repco Bathurst 1000, Australia’s most iconic motorsport event, is a must-watch spectacle for racing fans across New Zealand. Known as “The Great Race,” this endurance event at Mount Panorama Circuit brings together the best drivers in the Supercars Championship for 161 laps of intense competition. Here’s your complete guide to catching all the action from New Zealand.
Official Bathurst Streaming Options in New Zealand
Sky Sport Now Day Pass
The most flexible option for casual viewers is the Sky Sport Now Day Pass, priced at $29.99. This one-off payment gives you 24 hours of full access to all Sky Sport and ESPN channels, making it perfect if you only want to watch the Bathurst 1000 race day without committing to a longer subscription.
What you get:
- Access to all 12 Sky Sport channels
- ESPN channels included
- High-definition streaming
- Watch on multiple devices (smart TVs, mobile, tablet, laptop)
- No automatic renewal.
The Day Pass is ideal for viewers who want to experience the main race on Sunday without paying for a full month of sports content they might not use.
Sky Sport Now Monthly Pass
For fans who want to watch more motorsport throughout the year, the Monthly Pass costs $54.99 per month. This gives you ongoing access to not just Supercars racing but also Formula 1, rugby, cricket, football, and other premium sports content.
Benefits:
- Full access to Sky Sport 1-9 and ESPN channels
- On-demand replays and highlights
- Watch all Supercars Championship rounds
- Automatically renews each month (can cancel anytime)
- Stream on multiple devices simultaneously
Sky TV Subscription
Traditional Sky TV subscribers can access Bathurst 1000 coverage through their satellite service. The race is broadcast live on Sky Sport 5 (Channel 55) with comprehensive coverage across all four days of the event.
Pricing:
- Sky Starter Package: $25.99/month
- Sky Sport Add-on: $42/month
- Total: $67.99/month
This option requires a Sky TV subscription and satellite dish installation, making it more suitable for households that want the full range of Sky’s entertainment and sports channels.
How to Watch Bathurst 1000 Free with Australian Streaming 7 Plus
Using 7plus with PureVPN
Australian free-to-air broadcaster Channel 7 streams the Bathurst 1000 completely free on 7plus, but this service is geo-restricted to Australian viewers only. New Zealand fans can access it using a VPN service like PureVPN.
How to watch with PureVPN:
- Subscribe to PureVPN – Sign up at purevpn.com (pricing starts from around $10/month for longer plans)
- Download the PureVPN app to your device (available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and Fire TV Stick)
- Connect to an Australian server – Choose any Australian city from the server list
- Visit 7plus.com.au and create a free account using an Australian postcode (you can use any valid Australian postcode, such as 2000 for Sydney)
- Start streaming – Navigate to the Supercars coverage and enjoy free live streaming
What’s available on 7plus:
- Complete live coverage from Friday through Sunday
- Practice sessions, qualifying, Top 10 Shootout
- Full race coverage starting from 7am AEDT on Sunday
- Post-race analysis and highlights
- Completely free with no subscription required
PureVPN advantages:
- Fast connection speeds suitable for HD streaming
- Servers in multiple Australian locations
- Works on unlimited devices
- 24/7 customer support
- 31-day money-back guarantee
Other Free Streaming Options
While 7plus is the primary free option, some fans have reported success accessing other Australian free-to-air streaming platforms with a VPN. However, 7plus remains the most reliable and highest quality free option for Bathurst 1000 coverage.
International Streaming: Supercars.com SuperView
For viewers outside Australia and New Zealand, or those wanting the official Supercars streaming service using a VPN, SuperView is available at supercars.com/superview.
Pricing:
- Monthly: AU$19/month
- Yearly: AU$99/year
Note: SuperView is only available for users outside Australia and New Zealand, so Kiwi fans should stick with Sky Sport or use a VPN for 7plus access.
Bathurst 1000 NZ Coverage Schedule
The Bathurst 1000 weekend typically runs over four days:
Thursday: Practice sessions begin
Friday: Additional practice sessions and qualifying
Saturday: Final practice and Top 10 Shootout (determines front-row starters)
Sunday: Race day – The main event starts at 11:45am AEDT (1:45pm NZDT)
Sky Sport provides comprehensive coverage across all four days, while 7plus focuses primarily on Friday through Sunday.
Device Compatibility
Most streaming options work on:
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony)
- Streaming devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV Stick)
- Mobile phones (iOS and Android)
- Tablets (iPad and Android tablets)
- Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
- Computers (Windows and Mac via web browser)
Recommended Options by Viewer Type
Casual fans wanting just the race:
Sky Sport Now Day Pass ($29.99) – Simple, no commitment, one-day access
Budget-conscious fans:
PureVPN + 7plus – Small monthly VPN cost for completely free race streaming
Dedicated motorsport fans:
Sky Sport Now Monthly Pass ($54.99) – Get Bathurst plus F1, other Supercars rounds, and more motorsport
Full Sky TV subscribers:
Watch on Sky Sport 5 – Already included in your subscription
Existing VPN users:
Connect to Australian server and use 7plus for free
Tips for Best Viewing Experience
- Test your setup early – Don’t wait until race day to set up your streaming service or VPN
- Check your internet speed – HD streaming requires at least 5-10 Mbps
- Use ethernet connection when possible for more stable streaming
- Download VPN apps in advance if using the free streaming method
- Set reminders for the Top 10 Shootout and race start times
- Consider time zones – The race starts at 11:45am AEDT (1:45pm NZDT)
Conclusion
New Zealand fans have excellent options for watching the Bathurst 1000, from official Sky Sport streaming to free alternatives using VPN services. Whether you choose the convenience of the Sky Sport Now Day Pass at $29.99, opt for the budget-friendly VPN route with PureVPN and 7plus, or already have a Sky TV subscription, you won’t miss a moment of this spectacular endurance race. Choose the option that best fits your viewing habits and budget, and enjoy one of motorsport’s greatest events from the comfort of your home.