The circuit was created out of necessity in 1953 when two years prior the South Australian state government banned motor racing on public roads.

The ban stayed in place until 1985 when it was rescinded to create the Adelaide Street Circuit for use in the Australian Grand Prix which had become a round of the Formula One World Championship.

In 1955[2] the circuit played host to the Australian Grand Prix where Jack Brabham won his first AGP.

Brabham's win in his Cooper T40 Bristol was the first AGP won by a rear-engined car.

The last race meeting, organised by the Austin 7 Club of South Australia, was held on 14 May 1961.