Here's what’s open in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast today. A great way to support local.
Cycling
Whether you ride for pleasure or are the next Tour Down Under competitor, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast is home to rides and trails that make you want to jump on the bike. Whether it is through the hills, across the vineyard valleys or along the coast (could be all three!), there will be something special just for you.
Road cyclists - think vistas across the vineyards to the hills and just add water when you choose from 31 kilometres of pristine coastline to ride. Don the helmet and the lycra (or not) and enjoy.
Mountain bikers - think Onkaparinga River National Park or O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park where you can choose your own downhill adventure, with spectacular vantage points throughout the parks. Some of these trails are not for the faint hearted, so full protective gear is a must!
BMX'ers – think tracks for beginners or the advanced, where you can test out your ‘barspin’, ‘bunnyhop’ or ‘pinch the biscuit’ – your trick…. you choose. Safety first, don the helmet and protective gear, just don’t become the butcher - the one who always breaks the bike! Great BMX bike tracks include:
Gemmel Tassie Reserve, McLaren Vale
Tangari Regional Park, Woodcroft
Frank Smith Park, Coromandel Valley
Wilford Taylor Reserve, Morphett Vale
Willunga Rose Garden, Willunga
Leisurely rides – think opportunities to stop, explore, smell the roses and and taste the region.
One of the regions flagship cycling and walking trails is the Coast to Vines Rail Trail stretching from Hallett Cove to McLaren Vale.
The 35 km trail takes in some of the most spectacular scenery and is a perfect trail for cyclists of all ages. It also connects with many other trails including the Field River Trail, Christies Creek Trail, and Pedlar Creek trail and other to create several loop trail opportunities
Another cracker of a ride is the Shiraz Trail from McLaren Vale to Willunga celebrating the regions world-renowned food and wine offerings including cycling-friendly cellar doors, locally brewed beers, and regional tasting platters.
Santos Tour Down Under
If you are in McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast over January, you’ve hit the cycling jackpot - the region will host two stages of the Santos Festival of Cycling - South Australia’s (and potentially Australia’s) most iconic bike race.
Kicking off will be the THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5: Christies Beach - Willunga Hill on Saturday 20 January. This stage will showcase even more of our stunning coast line with the race starting in Christies Beach for the first time. Cyclists will ride towards Port Noarlunga and Old Noarlunga before heading into McLaren Vale, Willunga and Aldinga for our signature race loop.
In addition to hosting the Men's THINK! Road Safety Stage 5 race, we are thrilled to host the Santos Tour Down Under Women's Stage 3 finish on Sunday 14 January.
Cyclists will travel from Adelaide City through Coromandel Valley, Clarendon, Kangarilla and McLaren Flat before riding our signature lap through McLaren Vale, Willunga and Aldinga.
The battle is on as it will be the first time the world class women's race finish will be at the top of Willunga Hill.
For further details on the race Santos Tour Down Under website.
