SOUTH AUSTRALIA - PRIVATE TOUR. AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND.

Ride Holidays is lucky enough to have up to 10 staff who actually live in Adelaide. Including one of the owners - Chris Wood. For that reason we can easily roll out a tailor-made itinerary at any time of the year to fit your group.

Here is our suggested itinerary… Experience an amazing fun filled, fully organised, 10 day cycling tour and holiday.

Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and the City

We start and finish at the same hotel in Adelaide. We've found the perfect mix of visiting the iconic Barossa Valley. Followed by the Adelaide Hills before descending upon the city. We focus on the magnificent cycling on offer, as well as eating at the very best South Australian restaurants and cafes. You will come home having experienced the full flavour of what the region has to offer.

Itinerary can be tailored for all levels of cyclist.

Throughout our 10 day tour, we've catered to meet the needs of both the cycling die hards, right through to the more leisurely cyclist. Take a peep through our itinerary and you'll be assured that we offer a range of cycling options. And if you want to take a break for a day (or two), we've planned some great activities so you can really enjoy the wonders that this region has to offer!

And for non-riders (team Macchiato) you are very very welcome. Be assured, you won't just be following the cyclists. Your days will include visits to wineries, with a blend of boutique shopping, enjoying the local cafes and restaurants, some walking, plus much more.

South Australia Private Cycle Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to South Australia

We look forward to meeting you at Adelaide Airport. Today is purely an arrival day. Our vehicles will depart Adelaide Airport just after midday. Ideally most of you will arrive late morning. This afternoon we'll help you assemble the bikes and then pop out for a short ride. Purely to get the legs turning and to find those nasty little mechanicals that may pop up.

There will be just enough time for a quiet refreshment prior to our welcoming dinner where we'll run through the plan for the next 10 days. Yes - you are now officially on holiday. Welcome to South Australia.

Accommodation: Majestic Roof Garden hotel - Adelaide
Meals Included: Dinner

PS, you are very welcome to arrive the day prior. We will arrange extra accommodation and airport transfers for you.

Day 2

Off to the Barossa Valley

Over the past 6 years we've tried to feature a new destination on our Santos Tour Down Under trips. The Barossa without doubt is the best. We simply cannot go passed the amazing scenic countryside, cycling of the Barossa Valley. This region offers some of the best food & wine in South Australia.

So, after breakfast there will be a choice of rides. Strong latte and espresso riders will be encouraged to ride the 80km to the Barossa from our Adelaide hotel. Everyone else will pile in the vans for the Barossa - we'll ride a 50km loop from there. You head out to the Barossa Reservoir to experience the Whispering Wall.

Team Macchiato - consists of the non-riding group and there's no prizes for guessing what they'll be up to. Katrina is your guide and she's Adelaide born and bred. You will be well looked after.

We'll see you at dinner.

Accommodation: Barossa
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3

Exploring the Barossa Valley

Today is all about exploring what the valley has to offer. So, sit back in the saddle and ride until your heart is content. We'll have a support van in place if the going gets tough.

Today won't be overly hilly, certainly when compared to the rest of the week. All rides will feature the Jack Bobridge trail.

The long ride is 90km however there are certainly options to extend that. Featuring the Seppletsfield wine region, Jacobs Creek and also Tour Down Under favourite - Menglers hill. The short ride is a shade under 60km. We've also budgeted for extra coffee stops. Flat white please.

Team Macchiato - You are booked in at Seppletsfield for lunch followed by a cooking demonstration at Maggie Beers. Afterwards, how about some time beside the pool?

Tonight we've booked the brewery for dinner. Burger thanks.

Accommodation: Barossa
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4

It's off to the Hills!!

Today we ride across the Barossa Range and make our way to Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. Without doubt the best cycling in the State, arguably in all of Australia. We will have plenty of ride options today, from 50 to 100km its up to you.

In previous years we've run an event called the Dirty Dozen. Featuring 12 nasty hills in one day. We've decided to change things and give you the opportunity to knock off those same hills but over a three day period. Some of you will do more, some of you will do less. All 12 hills will feature on your Dirty Dozen t-shirt. Today is your first chance to tag one or two of those hills as we make our way to Hahndorf. As always, we will leave early as we want to beat the heat. Your bags will be in your Hahndorf hotel rooms when you arrive.

We can also pre-book you a massage while in Hahndorf. This afternoon would be a great time to give back to your legs.

Team Macchiato - This morning Katrina has booked the Melbas Chocolate factory followed by lunch at the Bird in Hand winery.

Accommodation: The Manna of Hahndorf
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5

Cuddly little bears - wildlife spotting

Breakfast is at the top of Mt Lofty. (700m above sea level) The big breakfast is unbelievably big, the views are amazing and thousands of cyclists ride this climb daily. Bring your camera.

Team Macchiato - will also meet us at the top of Mount Lofty for breakfast followed by a visit to the Mount Lofty Botanical gardens.

Ride options vary from 60km to 100kms although only a select few would consider 100km in this part of the world. We pretty much spend as much time on the bike as your legs will allow. Little Italy, Corkscrew, Deviation, Norton Summit - all lie in wait.

Tonight is traditionally movie night. We show the very famous 'Russian fly fishing' movie followed by a more traditional cycling movie of some description.

Accommodation: The Manna of Hahndorf
Meals Included: Breakfast (Dinner own arrangements)

Day 6

Belair National Park

Historically, we look at today as a semi-rest day. We said semi… Keep in mind that this is a private itinerary so you can dictate exactly what happens. Our team will be very flexible.

We generally recommend a ride option of 60kms which includes a bit of gravel, (only a local would know) a National Park as well as a photo opportunity on Windy Point. There are also a couple of Dirty Dozen hills you can tick off today. One is rather step. You'll be fine…

Tonight we wear our Dirty Dozen t-shirts with pride while grazing on pizza and beer. No doubt a few lies will be told.

Accommodation: The Manna of Hahndorf
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7

Off to the city we go…

We leave our Adelaide Hills paradise and head to the city. Feedback from clients after previous trips is that they don't want to smash their legs prior to tomorrows big ride. So, 70km maximum. We promise. The extra good news is that it's pretty much all downhill. (kind of)

There's a lot to see in the city. Today will be your only chance to visit the Adelaide Market so we'll look after your bikes while you pop in for lunch. Lycra is perfectly acceptable. For all those cool kids - you'll also get the chance to visit one of the many bike shops.

Team Macchiato - you're in for a treat. The No 1 RHTeamMactripadvisor activity for 2019 was the d'Arenberg Cube (Mclaren Vale) featuring a contemporary art museum, winery and lunch.

Tonight, we've arranged pasta. Pasta, pasta, pasta. Adelaide's finest Italian is only 50m away from our hotel.

Accommodation: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8

Early Start - It's a big day.

There's a lot to cover off today. Our day starts with breakfast at the Glenelg Beach which simply is a must do. We'll then all hop on our bikes and head towards McLaren Vale via the coast and then a 30km bike path. Adelaide's beaches are often overlooked - they're stunning. Just watch out for sharks.

We'll stop in the Vale for coffee - this is a cycle tour after all. It's then on to Willunga Hill which is only 8km away. Queen stage for any TDU features this magnificent piece of dirt. By lunch you will have covered 65km. There's only one restaurant at the top of Willunga and guess where we are eating…

It's our advice for the majority of you to ride back to Adelaide via a different bike path. Your total day will be 115km so well achievable by day 8. Those who want a lift will simply hop in the van. See you at the bar.

It's also our last night on tour so we'll celebrate with a dinner at Adelaide's finest. A floating restaurant on the River Torrens. You won't lose weight on this tour.

Accommodation: Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day 9

Home, James

The tour concludes with breakfast. Some of us will pack our bags, bikes and leave for the airport. Our tour is all but over.

We can easily look after extra accommodation if you choose to stay on. It's a really nice way to round out the holiday.

Whatever you decide - thank you for joining us. Safe travels home…

Meals Included: Breakfast included.