South Australia Cycling Tours

Challenging bike tours South Australia sunny cycling down under

South Australia Cycling Tours are a unique opportunity to experience amazing bike rides ‘down under’.  Australia is a big country and on everyone’s bucket list of countries to visit add on the adventures of an active holiday and South Australia is the No 1 cycling destination.

The PB Tours team have an extensive knowledge of Australian cycling routes with the South Australia cycling tour full of proven challenging rides that highlight the very best cycling down under.  If you’re looking for a testing week of cycling with your Australian bike tour holiday this is for you!

With a well-designed selection of endurance rides offering a full day of cycling into the Barossa and McLaren Vale regions. Combined with the best climbs in South Australia that are perfect for the regular, avid cyclist. From the favourites of Norton Summit (415m) 5km @ 5%, to the iconic ‘aussie’ climb of Old Willunga Hill (361m) 3km @ 7.4%.  The perfect terrain for any cyclist looking to make gains with their cycling performance and ability.

After a few days on the South Australia Cycling Tour, you’ll appreciate why this region offers the very best cycling holiday in Australia. It’s also why South Australia is the location for the ‘Tour down Under’ each January, this World Tour international stage race, sees the best professional cyclists in the world competing on these same great roads.

Looking for comfortable rides in Australia?

Classic ToursLeisurely rides, great ‘Aussie’ lunch stops, explore the best of Australia with this luxury bike trip.

View Adelaide Bike Trip
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Challenging Bike Tour

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PB Cycling Guides

Cycling Level question mark-01

Challenging/Epic  70-125km / 43-78mi

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Quality Tour:
5* Hotel Accommodation AUD $3766 pp
4* Hotel Accommodation AUD $3358 pp
Rides Only:
Without Accommodation AUD $2403 pp

Custom Tour question mark-01

Contact Us:
Request a private, customised version of this tour for yourself or cycling group.

Center Based Cycling

Adelaide, Australia

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November – March

Duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Small Group

2 – 8 Guests

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Single Room – AUD $954
Bike Hire – AUD $650

Adelaide Center Based Cycling

Fun In The Sun Cycling Down Under In South Australia!

Cycling for some is a sport, for the PB Tours team it’s a way of life! Australia is a big country and the team have certainly ridden many roads of most states, Queensland, NSW, Victoria, and ACT.
In 2005 they hit the roads of South Australia for the first-time, with a planned 1 week visit at the Australian Road Championships and eventually stayed for 5 weeks!
There can be no greater recommendation than this experience, South Australia offers the very best bike riding in Australia.
Okay the podium result at the Aussie titles needed celebrating and South Australia certainly has plenty of opportunity for fun in the sun. It’s the cycling that is the true highlight, with an extensive network of roads and variety of terrain, that can only be equaled in Europe. Whether it’s a recovery ride along the coast, pushing the intensity into the Adelaide Hills or a long day in the saddle through the ‘Aussie’ bush.
Join us and experience Cycling Paradise ‘down under’ in South Australia!

Your offer of an additional cycling training week after TDU was just perfect! You put together a fantastic week based on my fitness, some nice challenges, varying terrain and distances, great cafe stops and your company post rides was great to talk cycling, coaching, gave me great tips to improve my overall fitness. Highly recommend Practice Bicycle Tours for a solid week of superb cycling, wine and food in Adelaide. Next stop Tour de France
Testimonial by M West – Australia
M West – Australia

Dates

Book your small-group challenging cycling vacation in South Australia today. To enquire or reserve your place, click the ‘Button’ next to the tour date.

2023
  • 04 November — 10 November Book Now Enquire
  • 02 December — 08 December Book Now Enquire
2024
  • 06 January — 12 January Book Now Enquire
  • 03 February — 09 February Book Now Enquire
  • 02 March — 08 March Enquire

Looking for specific dates?

If you want to travel to Australia on different dates, don’t hesitate to contact us about arranging a custom Australia Cycling Tour!

Contact Us

South Australia Cycling Itinerary

Challenging Australian bike rides of 70-125km / 43-78mi suitable for regular and avid cyclists with moderate climbing each day.
South Australia Cycling Tour Arrival Day – Outer Harbor
Arrival Time: Midday
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 70km/43mi
Ascent 100m/300ft
Welcome to Australia and your South Australia cycling tour the very best cycling down under. A short transfer brings you from Adelaide International Airport to your convenient accommodation in the centre of all the action with this centre based cycling location for a challenging week of cycling.
Once checked-in and the bikes are prepared we’ll have time for a flat warm up ride over to the coast, turn the legs and blow away any effects of your travels.
With your back to the Hills, this ride highlights the geography of the region with the city of Adelaide occupying the flat terrain towards the St Vincent Gulf a natural Amphitheatre surrounded by the Adelaide Hills.
Long sandy beaches and the big blue ocean is a perfect backdrop for a café stop…Welcome to cycling in Oz.
South Australia Cycling Tour - Lobethal
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 95km/60mi
Ascent 1498m/4900ft
The unique Aussie landscape of the Adelaide Hills is one of the reasons that South Australia is the No1 destination for cycling in Australia. With a great choice of roads on offer to leave the suburbs of Adelaide behind us, today we’ll test our legs with the climb of Norton Summit (415m) 5km @ 5%.
One of the most popular climbs with the Adelaide cyclists due to its proximity to the city, for us it’s just the start. Perfect cycling terrain up and down on scenic and testing roads, passing forests and fruit farms with our loop east. Great coffee is part of Australian cycling culture, add in a cake stop and we’re set to keep going with our cycling adventures in the Adelaide Hills.
South Australia Cycling Tour – McLaren Vale
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 120km/75mi
Ascent 1250m/4100ft
After the magnificent undulating landscape of the Adelaide Hills, today we head south from the city of Adelaide and head to the world class wine growing region of McLaren Vale.
It’s a must see with any visit to Australia, riding the flat roads across the vale with the intriguing scenery of the green of vines contrasting with the dryness of the sunbaked land down-under all with the famous big blue sky.
This could be classified an endurance ride during the South Australia cycling tour week; except we’ve added in a couple of climbs to make it interesting.
Start the day with the ideal warmup on the climb of Belair (304m) 3.7km @ 5.5% don’t forget to take in the views. Enjoy the kilometres as they pass by on twisting valley roads and the unique landscape of Australia before challenging your legs once more on Old Willunga Hill (361m) 3km @ 7.4%. The most iconic climb in the area and included each year as the climax to the Tour down Under, World Tour professional stage race.
South Australia Cycling Tour – Mount Pleasant
Epic Ride Route:
Distance 125km/78mi
Ascent 1050m/3500ft
The second of our endurance rides during the Adelaide cycling tour, full of great views and great names, starting with the challenge of Gorge Road. Gradually climbing out from the centre of Adelaide and returning each day by a different route brings with it an amazing choice of panoramic views of the area and is one of the highlights of cycling tours South Australia.
No categorised climbs are on the agenda today, although we’ll still tick over 1000m of elevation as this route takes us into the Aussie outback and bounces up and down through some great little townships, Chain of Ponds and Cudlee Creek.
Part of classic cycling rides with Practice Bicycle is a break for refueling, South Australia rides together deserve a café stop or two, one of our favourites are never far away and adds to the enjoyment of a great day in the saddle.
South Australia Cycling Tour – Moana Beach
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 85km/53mi
Ascent 600m/2000ft
The legs have been tested over the last few days of challenging terrain and endurance ride routes. We have not climbed to high altitude with our ride routes in South Australia, with most of the climbs peaking at 400m.
They are certainly not the French Alps by altitude or duration, although the accumulative effect each day when riding from sea-level is an ideal overload for improving your cycling performance.
Today we can maintain our cycling workload with a flatter route along the coastline, a relaxing ride day for both our legs and body.
South Australia Cycling Tour – Mt Lofty
Challenging Ride Route:
Distance 70km/43mi
Ascent 1040m/3400ft
We have not left the best until last, with your South Australia cycling tour packed full of great cycling with a selection of Australia’s best challenging ride routes. If you came to Australia for great climbing, the Mt Lofty climb will not disappoint you!
Today is your last ride day experience with Practice Bicycle and it could be a stress free flat coastal ride with the Aussie beach and blue waters of the Gulf St Vincent one last time.
Maybe you prefer one final challenge with the climb of Mt Lofty Summit (710m) 9km @ 5% the highest point in the Mt Lofty Ranges and the Adelaide hills offering spectacular panoramic views of the South Australia coastline.
All choices are the perfect choice with a challenging cycling tour with the team that have a world of cycling experience ready to share with you.
South Australia Cycling Tour Departure Day
Departure Time: Midday

Goodbye from South Australia
With your ‘aussie’ cycling tour ending this morning we say goodbye from Practice Bicycle and are available to assist you with your onward travels.
With your transfer to Adelaide International Airport this morning we wish you safe travels and more challenging cycling adventures in the future.

Tour Arrival & Departure Meet Point: Adelaide Hotel.

The South Australia Cycling Tours are based on the magnificent cycling roads surrounding Adelaide, the capital city of the state of South Australia.  We suggest International guests arrive 1 night prior to the tour to recover from your travels and adapt to the local time zone.

The closest airport is the Adelaide International Airport (Australia) which is serviced directly by many international airlines including, American AirlinesUnitedQantasAir New ZealandMalaysia AirwaysCathay PacificChina Southern AirlinesQatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Many major airlines operate international flights to Sydney and Melbourne, with onward domestic connecting flights available to Adelaide Airport. These include QantasVirgin AustraliaBritish AirwaysEmiratesDelta Air LinesAmerican Airlines and Air Canada.

Public Transport is available from Adelaide Airport to the City, the short journey takes 15min with the following options; Adelaide Airport Bus Services. and also Taxi Services

With a world of ‘individuality’ today and cyclists in particular, this is the perfect trip for you to choose when to eat, what to eat and where to eat!
Whatever your preference, you will find more than a weeks’ choice of restaurant/pub varieties of international flavours to satisfy all tastes! All within a few strides from you hotel (for the tired legs!)

Cafe/bakery stops are facilitated during your ride days.

Our ‘Rides Only’ package allows you to experience the South Australia cycling tour without any add-ons or arranged accommodation.

Offering complete flexibility for you and your family to stay where you prefer and join the PB Tours team at a central meeting point in Adelaide just like you would for a ride back home, for the best cycling down under.
What’s included:
* 6 challenging & epic rides ‘down under’ the best in Australia
* Spectacular cycling routes including the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills regions
* Highly experienced international ride leader
* Selection of nutritional bars & sports drink

If you or your group are looking for a custom experience for your perfect Australian cycling vacation, Contact Practice Bicycle today!

For our discerning cycling guests Practice Bicycle offer you pure ‘Luxury’ for your stay whilst ‘Cycling down Under’.
We offer a choice of 3 superb city centre accommodation options;
Premium 5* Sofitel Adelaide South Australia with all it’s French elegance & class, the luxury 5* Intercontinental Hotel Adelaide overlooking the River Torrens.
The 4* Majestic Roof Garden Hotel in the heart of shopping, bars, restaurants and entertainment in Adelaide’s East End.

5* Sofitel Luxury Hotel Adelaide South Australia

Sofitel Adelaide 5 Star Hotel City Centre          Sofitel Adelaide 5 Star Hotel Room          Sofitel Adelaide 5 Star Hotel Garcon Bleu Bar

5* InterContinental Adelaide City Centre

InterContinental Adelaide 5 Star Luxury Hotel          InterContinental Adelaide 5 Star Luxury Hotel Room          InterContinental Adelaide 5 Star Luxury Hotel Executive Lounge

4* Majestic Roof Garden Hotel Adelaide 

Majestic Roof Garden 4 Star Hotel Adelaide City Australia          Majestic Roof Garden 4 Star Hotel Room          Majestic Roof Garden 4 Star Hotel Restaurant Culshaws

For your added convenience we have quality carbon road bikes as an optional extra available to you with your South Australia cycling tours.
Many of our guests prefer their own bikes for maximum cycling pleasure. Should logistics and travel arrangements make this too difficult then our bike hire is the perfect solution.
Depending on availability and size we have several brands available including Merida and Trek, carbon bikes are recent models with Shimano Ultegra or 105 componentry.

Merida Scultura 4000 Quality Carbon Road Bike Hire Shimano compact 50,34-x11-29                  Trek Carbon Road Bike Compact Frame Shimano Ultegra 50.34-x-11-32

‘Unpack Once, Ride Everyday’
The one location bike tour experience is the brainchild of Bridget Evans (Owner/Operator). On retiring from professional cycling, it was the amazing pleasure of great cycling that evolved the proven Practice Bicycle formula of one location. Including everything enjoyable and removing anything less pleasurable is our goal for your perfect cycling holiday experience.

Packing and Unpacking each day is tiring, stressful and time consuming. With insufficient time to relax, enjoy the full experience of your destination before it is time to move on again.
With a life spent discovering the very best cycling destinations to Practice Bicycle, exploring endless ride routes in every direction, all from the one ideal location.
Experience the very best cycling of your life when you Unpack Once, Ride Everyday!

South Australia cycling tours offer the best choice of ride routes in Australia and are tailor made for the regular or avid cyclist looking for a quality challenging week of cycling. With a variety of routes of the coastline, Aussie outback, and Adelaide Hills of Australia.
Daily ride distances of 70-125km / 43-78mi with ascent of 1040-1500m / 3400-4900ft.

Each cycling route during this South Australia cycling vacation will be tailored specifically to your bike riding experience and goals.  With our center-based cycling at the one location to return to each day, there are no time constraints and no getting left behind, with a favourite cafe stop never far away.

This selection of Challenging and Epic ride routes designed and combined by the team at Practice Bicycle with a history in professional bike racing and coaching in fact it was on the roads of the Adelaide hills where your host Bridget Evans took 3rd place at the 2005 Australian Road Championships. So, if it’s a challenge you are looking for, we can find just the right rides for you each day during your premium cycling week in Australia.

When it’s challenging cycling your looking for with your next cycling vacation, don’t miss our Challenging Bike Tours category, with the very best cycling of your life in superb destinations including, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and the French Alps!

The South Australia cycling tours do not include vehicle support/transfers with the package to maintain the greatest value and flexibility to all our cycling guests. Should you require a support vehicle for each days ride, then this can be arranged as an Optional Extra, please contact us for further information.

The team have over 15 years’ experience riding the unique variety of cycling roads that are available to you, this allows us to tailor each daily ride to the requirements of our guests. Not only do we plan the perfect week of cycling down under, we also have a unique small group skillset and unparalleled local knowledge of the roads which allows for the flexibility to alter or shorten ride routes should you wish.

If you prefer a more relaxed, luxury cycling holiday including vehicle support and restaurant lunches, take a look at our Luxury Adelaide Bike Trip.

South Australia Cycling Tour includes:

  • 6 nights 5* or 4* hotel accommodation in the city of Adelaide
  • Buffet breakfast each morning the perfect start to the cycling day
  • 6 challenging & epic rides ‘down under’ the best in Australia
  • Spectacular cycling routes including the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills regions
  • Highly experienced international ride leader
  • Sports drinks & nutritional bars

South Australia Cycling Tour Highlights:

  • Ride the South Australia coastline, sandy beaches, blue waters of the St Vincent Gulf under a big blue sky
  • Test your legs ‘down under’ rugged landscape of Adelaide Hills, unique outback of McLaren Vale
  • Adelaide Climbs; Norton Summit (415m) 5km @ 5%, New Belair Road (304m) 3.7km @ 5.5%, Old Willunga Hill (361m) 3km @ 7.4% and Mt Lofty Summit (710m) 9km @ 5%
  • Challenging Aussie week of cycling with 565km/350mi & 5500m/18000ft of climbing
  • Unique small group experience & lots of great coffee and cakes!
Challenging

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