Australians can drive Zeekr's unreleased 8X and 9X on New Zealand snow
Bookings are open for Zeekr On Ice in Queenstown this August, with two-night packages from NZD $1,500 and a full day driving Zeekr's current and future EV line-up.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- Zeekr On Ice runs 13-16 August 2026 in Queenstown
- Driver package costs NZD $5,500, spectator from NZD $1,500
- Guests drive the unreleased Zeekr 8X and 9X
Bookings have opened for Zeekr On Ice, the first electric ice-driving event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Zeekr is inviting Australian customers to New Zealand's Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds near Queenstown across two dates in August 2026.
Buyers pick either 13-15 August, with track time on the 14th, or 14-16 August, with track time on the 15th. Drivers must be 25 or over and hold a valid licence.
What Zeekr On Ice costs
| Package | Price (NZD, GST incl.) | Includes |
| Driver | $5,500 | Full-day ice driving programme, expert coaching, two nights at Millbrook Resort, helicopter transfer, transfers, gifting |
| Spectator | From $1,500 | Two nights at Millbrook Resort, hospitality, helicopter transfer, transfers, gifting |
Flights are not included, and pricing is in New Zealand dollars rather than Australian.
The Zeekr cars you get to drive
The fleet spans the small Zeekr X, the mid-size 7X, which scored 9/10 in our review and made our list of the best electric SUVs in Australia for 2026, and the performance-focused 7GT.
Guests also get the 8X and flagship 9X, neither of which has landed in Australian showrooms yet.
Zeekr 7GT
The programme covers vehicle dynamics training, slalom, power slides, gymkhana circuits and hot laps with professional drivers.
Frank Li, Managing Director at Zeekr Australia, said: "Zeekr was created to challenge expectations of what an electric vehicle can be. Zeekr On Ice brings that philosophy to life, giving guests the opportunity to experience how design, innovation and driver engagement come together in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable."
Bookings are open now at zeekr-ice.com.
Zeekr is selling access to cars it hasn't launched
Charging customers to sample the 8X and 9X is move more similar to Porsche and BMW, not like Tesla or BYD. That is a deliberate shot at the German brands' experiential playbook.
This is the sort of event Australian buyers usually have to fly to Europe for. Zeekr has brought it three hours across the Tasman, and the seats will not last long.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Zeekr On Ice cost?
The driver package is NZD $5,500 including GST, and spectator packages start at NZD $1,500. Flights are not included.
When and where is Zeekr On Ice held?
It runs across two dates, 13-15 and 14-16 August 2026, at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Which Zeekr models can you drive?
The Zeekr X, 7X, 7GT, 8X and 9X, including models not yet on sale in Australia.
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
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