Situated a short distance from Adelaide, South Australia’s wine country is well known for its natural beauty and delicious wine. This 6 day cycling tour focuses more on enjoying the local wineries, than racing through the vineyards.&nbsp;
From the Barossa Valley – home to Australia's best red wine – to the Northern Clare Valley – perfect for Riesling. And Maggie Beer, Penfolds and McLaren Vale along the way. The varied scenery, easy network of cycling paths and support vehicle make this a trip for every rider.

Cycle SA’s wine regions | by Intrepid

Welcome to Adelaide and the start of your South Australian cycling adventure.&nbsp;
There will be a welcome meeting at 6pm, as you get together with your fellow travellers for a brief run-down of the days ahead.&nbsp;
If you arrive early, there are a heap of things to do in the state capital – check out Henley Beach, take a walk along the Torrens, or visit the home of Haigh's, an Aussie chocolate icon. Get to know your fellow cyclists with an optional group dinner out on the town.

Day 1: Adelaide

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a 1 hour drive to the world-famous Barossa Valley. Arguably Australia’s best-known red wine region, this is home to some of the finest wineries and local producers in the country, and today you will visit some truly iconic places.&nbsp;
We’ll begin cycling along the quiet pathways of the Barossa Trail, a fully sealed and traffic-free route that runs through the heart of this region. As you might guess from the name, the Barossa also has a strong German heritage dating back to the 1840s, and this heritage is evident today in the bakeries that produce traditional German breads and pastries. The trail itself is rated ‘easy’ and you’ll have ample time to enjoy the best of the region, including a stop at the Penfolds winery, home of Australia’s legendary red wine, Grange.&nbsp;
We’ll also drop in at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, to see where Australia’s best loved cook used to film her TV show. At the end of the day, we’ll transfer north for approximately 1 hour to the Clare Valley and the small town of Auburn.
Distance: Today’s cycling distance is approximately 25-30 kilometres.

Day 2: Barossa Valley & Auburn

Today we’ll cycle the scenic Riesling Rail Trail in the famous Clare Valley. Starting at the restored Auburn railway station building, we’ll pedal our way north through small towns and villages, including Penwortham, the historic Jesuit settlement of Sevenhill Cellars and St Aloysius Church.&nbsp;
Stop for a wine tasting and lunch at a winery best known for their varieties of white. From here it’s a gentle, flat 10-kilometre ride to the lovely old town of Clare and it’s amazing selection of interesting historic buildings. Perhaps take a relaxing walkaround town before settling in for the night.
Distance: Today’s cycling distance is approximately 35 kilometres.

Day 3: Clare Valley Riesling Rail Trail

The days kicks off with a ride back south to Auburn, leaving the Riesling Rail Trail and taking quiet routes and roads to discover a less travelled part of the region. Discover new cellar doors along the way. There’s plenty of time to explore, before boarding the vehicle and transferring to the picturesque tree-lined town of Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.&nbsp;
Enjoy a stroll around a vibrant village full of handcrafted products, multicultural restaurants, cafes and galleries. For fantastic examples of genuine Aboriginal art from the Central and Western deserts of Australia, drop into the Aboriginal Arthouse Gallery.
Distance: Today’s cycling distance is approximately 32 kilometres.

Day 4: Clare Valley & Hahndorf

We head south to McLaren Vale, sandwiched between the stunning coastline and low hinterland ridges, for a day of cycling along the Coast to Vines Rail Trail (also known as the ‘Shiraz Trail’). Built along a disused rail corridor, this vehicle-free trail will take you past glorious scenery and superb wineries.&nbsp;
Make an extended stop at the eccentric but acclaimed Wirra Wirra Winery for a platter lunch and exclusive tasting and tour. Wirra Wirra is an Aboriginal name meaning “among the gum trees” and the 125-year-old ironstone winery is still surrounded by the trees today. After your visit, it’s time to say goodbye to your bike and return to Adelaide for your final evening.&nbsp;
Depending on the time we get back, you may be able to relax in Adelaide’s beautiful parks besides the River Torrens, before choosing to get together with your cycling group for an optional final night’s dinner.&nbsp;
Distance: Today’s cycling distance is approximately 32 kilometres.

Day 5: McLaren Vale & Adelaide

Your South Australian cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave after checkout.

Summary

Cycle SA’s wine regions | by Intrepid

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