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Get ready for a wine-filled adventure like no other as you wind your way through South Australia’s renowned wine country – all on a bicycle! With stunning natural beauty, friendly locals, and delicious red and white wines, this region is a true gem just a short distance from cosmopolitan Adelaide.
On this cycling trip, you’ll experience the best of wine country at a relaxed pace that allows you to truly savor every moment. Starting in the heart of vibrant Adelaide – one of the world’s most livable cities – you’ll then be transported to the nearby yet distinct wine regions.
Your cycling adventure begins in Adelaide (Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located). There will be a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm this evening as you meet with your leader and fellow travellers for a brief run-down of the days ahead. 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 factory home of Haigh’s, an Aussie chocolate icon. This evening, choose to get to know your fellow cyclists better with an optional group dinner out on the town.
After breakfast leave the busy streets of Adelaide behind on a short (approximately 1 hour) drive out 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. Experience your first taste of cycling in South Australia as you begin 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 it’s something you can still see today in the bakeries that produce traditional German breads and pastries, as well as the historic buildings. The trail itself is rated as ‘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 – and Maggie Beer’s shop, perhaps Australia’s best loved cook. At the end of the day, put your feet up in your vehicle as you transfer north (approximately 1 hour) to the Clare Valley and the small town of Auburn.
Today you cycle the scenic Riesling Rail Trail in the famous Clare Valley. First established in second half of the 19th century, the trail was originally a railway line between Adelaide and Spalding that ran until the it was damaged by bush fires in the 1980s. It sat idle for the next 10 years, until a group of locals rejuvenated as a recreation trail – the first conversion of a railway line into a recreation trail for walking and cycling in South Australia. Starting at the restored Auburn railway station building, wind your way north through small towns and villages – including Penwortham, the first site of European settlement in the region, the historic Jesuit settlement of Sevenhill Cellars (the first winery established in the Clare Valley) and St Aloysius Church. Stop for a cellar door visit and a memorable lunch (optional) at Skillogalee Winery, best known for their varieties of white. From here it’s a gentle and flat 10-kilometre ride on to the lovely old town of Clare and it’s amazing selection of interesting historic buildings. Perhaps take a relaxing walk around town before settling in for the night.
Start the day 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. It’s another relaxed ride and there is plenty of time to explore before boarding the vehicle and transferring to the picturesque tree-lined town of Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. Originally inhabited by the Peramangk Aboriginal people up until the 1850s, Hahndorf is also acknowledged as Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, and maintains links to its German heritage until today. 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.
Head south to McLaren Vale, running for 30 kilometres sandwiched between stunning coastline and low 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. Make an extended stop at the eccentric but acclaimed Wirra Wirra Winery for an included lunch and a wine tasting and tour. Wirra Wirra is an Aboriginal name meaning “among the gum tree” 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 swap vineyards for beach as you head to Glenelg for your final evening. One of Adelaide’s premier beachside suburbs, Glenelg is famed for its long sandy beaches, historic Bay Discovery Centre and thriving Jetty Road area. Chill out or enjoy some espresso-infused retail therapy or pick a nearby restaurant for a final night’s dinner with your new cycling friends – the choice is yours.
Your South Australian cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to leave after checkout.
Intrepid Travel is a sustainable travel company that offers small group adventures around the world. With a focus on responsible tourism, Intrepid Travel takes travellers on unique experiences that allow them to engage with local communities, learn about different cultures and traditions, and make a positive impact on the places they visit.
Intrepid Travel offers a range of trips, from classic tours to more off-the-beaten-path experiences. Travellers can choose from a variety of destinations, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. There are also different trip styles to choose from, such as comfort, active, and family-friendly trips.
One of the unique aspects of Intrepid Travel is its commitment to responsible travel practices. The company works with local suppliers and communities to ensure that its tours are sustainable and respectful of local cultures and traditions. Intrepid Travel also has a not-for-profit foundation that supports sustainable tourism projects in the communities they visit.
Travellers on an Intrepid Travel tour can expect to stay in locally-owned accommodations, use public transportation, and eat at local restaurants, giving them an authentic experience of the destination they’re visiting. Additionally, travellers will be accompanied by an experienced local guide who can provide insights and knowledge about the places they’re visiting.
All prices are per person and unless otherwise stated, are in Australian dollars, are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Trip is subject to availability, for departure dates please contact us.
Conditions:
1. The $1 deposit Intrepid Travel offer applies to new bookings made and deposited between 12:00am AEST 3 April 2023 – 11:59pm AEST 1 May 2023, for trips departing before 31 December 2023. 2. This offer is valid for Australia and New Zealand residents booking in AUD or NZD only. 3. The $1 deposit can be paid towards any Intrepid Travel small group adventure trip in Australia and New Zealand, excluding the following: a) Tailor-Made Experiences; b) Urban Adventures trips; c) Australia trips operated by ATA and KWE: PKBB-B, PKBB-O, PKBL-B, PKBL-O, PKOW-O, PKOL-B, PKOL-O, PKOW-B, PKRB, PKFK, PKRC, PP10, PB10, PBD10, PDB10, PBP10; d) Select trips in Australia: Top End & Kakadu Explorer (POKK) and Red Centre & Uluru Explorer (POKR) 4. The $1 deposit offer applies to the trip price only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. 5. Multiple $1 deposit bookings must not overlap in travel dates, however consecutive $1 deposit bookings are permitted. 6. Offer applies to land element of tour only and cannot be redeemed against flights, additional accommodation, transfers or travel insurance. 7. $1 deposit amount is payable per person, per trip. 8. The trip is subject to availability and confirmation by Intrepid Travel at time of booking. 9. If you wish to cancel and rebook your trip or change dates outside the promotional period, you will be required to pay the full deposit towards the new trip. 10. Except as set out expressly above, Intrepid Travel’s Booking Conditions apply.
Cancellation by you
If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant sales representative of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
(a) 56 days or more prior to departure, we will hold your deposit amount as a credit;
(b) between 31 and 55 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 30% of the total booking cost;
(c) between 30 and 15 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 60% of the total booking cost; or
(d) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.
Note that different cancellation conditions apply to some styles of trips and additional services as set out in the Special Conditions and the Essential Trip Information relating to your trip. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, Intrepid are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. The above cancellation terms are in addition to fees which may be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents or third-party tour and transport operator fees. Please refer to clause 19 (Liability), which provides more information about your rights under Australian Consumer Law which may apply to your cancellation.
Cancellation by Intrepid
Trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid customer unless minimum group size specifically states otherwise (which is stated in the trip page or on our website) and subject to reasonable itinerary changes as described in these Booking Conditions. In the event that Intrepid cancels your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or receive a refund, unless your trip is cancelled due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below in this clause 8).
Cancellation due to Force Majeure
If a trip is cancelled due to a Force Majeure Event, Intrepid will offer you a choice of:
(a) a 100% credit of monies paid for your trip; or
(b) a refund minus unrecoverable costs.
If the cancellation due to a Force Majeure Event occurs after a trip has commenced, we can offer you a choice of a pro-rata:
(a) 100% credit for the days that remain on your trip; or
(b) refund minus unrecoverable costs of the days that remain on your trip.
A “Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to: acts of God; war; civil commotion; riot; blockade or embargo; fire; explosion; breakdown; union dispute; earthquake; epidemic, pandemic or other health emergency; flood; windstorm or other extreme weather event; lack or failure of courses of supply; passage of any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand, requisition or requirement or any other act of any government authority, beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue.
In the event of any cancellation, there will be no claim for damages by either party against the other and we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.
Important Note regarding credit:
There may be circumstances in which Intrepid issues you with credit. For instance, you may be offered the choice of a credit voucher instead of a cash refund when you are entitled to a full or partial refund. Unless specified otherwise in the Special Conditions, any credit issued under these Booking Conditions:
