Summernats 2025: A Canberra Photographer's Perspective on Australia's Biggest Horsepower Festival
New Year in Canberra transforms our city with the roar of engines and gleaming chrome as Summernats 2025 takes over EPIC. This nationally renowned event splits opinions but unites car enthusiasts in a celebration of automotive artistry and raw horsepower. Whether you're watching the City Cruise down Northbourne Avenue or exploring the showgrounds, Summernats offers a unique glimpse into Australia's vibrant car culture right here in the heart of Canberra. Experience the passion, precision, and power that makes this event a summer highlight in the nation's capital
New Year in Canberra means fuel, smoke, mullets, and red hot cars… and maybe a few sour apples among the rowdy crowds. As someone who's experienced Summernats from multiple angles, it's fascinating to see how this event divides our city.
Summernats is arguably the best event we host nationally, though for some Canberrans, it's the worst thing this city hosts every year. Yet, you can't argue with its success
The event continues to sell out year after year at EPIC, drawing massive crowds from across Australia.
The economic benefits are undeniable, especially for our local hospitality sector that fought through tough COVID times. But beyond the numbers, there's something special about seeing Canberra transform during these four days.
Having experienced Summernats both as a participant and attendee, my perspective might differ from the average Canberran. To me, it's a celebration where avid car lovers and enthusiasts come together, where mechanical and fabricational art forms spring to life through red hot engines and chrome so polished it almost blinds you in the summer sun.
It's more than just an event – it's a gathering place for people who understand the blood, sweat, money, and painfully high insurance fees that go into these machines.
My family member Darren, proud owner of a gorgeous 1957 Chevy, puts it perfectly:
Summernats is the opportunity to participate in Australia's biggest horsepower party held for all types of enthusiasts, revheads young and old.
He continues.. “I like to enter to show off my car, cruise around, and check out other people's cars during the 4 days of different events held in and around EPIC. There's plenty of merchandise available and trade stalls for all the help you would ever need that's car related. I enjoy the City Cruise down Northbourne every year, giving the public the opportunity to see a classic car. For me, Summernats is a great time to be in the environment of other car lovers who have their cars on display and being able to talk about them, swapping stories and catching up with friends with similar interests.""
We can't ignore that the event sometimes attracts antisocial behavior – mix young lads, drinking, 35-degree heat, and clashing egos, and you're bound to see some tension. But you could say that about most spectator sports. The new security measures should help keep the event safe and family-friendly, though personally, I think making it alcohol-free could help tone down some of the rowdier elements.
Looking forward, I'm excited to see these fantastic cars cruising down Northbourne Avenue and through Braddon. The big cruise especially offers a family-friendly way to appreciate these amazing fuel-guzzling machines. Though with Canberra's EV mandate approaching, who knows how much longer we'll see these wonderful machines on our streets? Maybe Summernats will need to start converting popular EVs into fuel guzzlers just for laughs.
Whether you're a lover or a hater of Summernats, you have to admit – there's something pretty cool about seeing cars that are way faster and worth way more than your average Toyota Yaris cruising through our city streets. Here's hoping everyone has a great and safe time at this year's event.
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