4
Introductory to Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 3 days self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 2 nights motel, 2 nights hotel room with ensuite
Meals
  • 2 Breakfasts

5 Days$940AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: CVW

Clare Valley Cycle Explorer Trip highlights

  • Enjoy the independence of self-guided cycling with all logistics taken care of for you
  • Discover charming rural towns and settlements.
  • Cycle through the picturesque wine regions of the Clare Valley SA
  • Visit the historic Sevenhill Cellars winery with Mary Mackillop connection

The Clare Valley in South Australia is renown for its acclaimed wines, most notably its rieslings. With over 50 cellar doors, and vineyards whose heritage can be traced back to the 1840s, the secluded Clare Valley is not only famous for its world-class wine, but also its excellent gastronomy. In the towns of Clare, Burra and Auburn you're spoilt for choice with an array of cafes, bars and restaurants. In the saddle and under your own steam, the serenity of pedalling through the Clare Valley's natural splendours is a joy. Take in the stunning bright pink lake, fossilised remains of megafauna, through rolling hills spruced with saltbush and gums. Of course, pulling up at some of the regions most famous and lesser known cellar doors is certainly going to be another highlight of this cycle journey. The local folk are always happy to describe the art of winemaking and to talk about the history of the region as you cycle the pretty Riesling Trail and the lesser known Rattler Rail Trail.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Today you will need to make your own way to Clare. On arrival in Clare, check in to your accommodation. The afternoon is free to explore the town or visit a winery or two. If you are travelling via Adelaide we can assist with booking a coach transfer (Friday or Sunday only) or a taxi transfer. Overnight in Clare.

Meals:  Nil

Today you’ll collect your bikes from our local supplier who will fit you up for the cycling days ahead. The day begins by heading south for around half a kilometre and through the township of Clare which might be a great place to fuel up with a good coffee and snacks for the ride. From here you will join the Riesling Trail briefly then on the outskirts of Clare you’ll leave the trail and head west along the Spring Gully Loop then turn onto the John Horrocks Loop, a combined section of around 15km. This section takes in some wonderful wine country and vineyards before coming back to meet the Riesling Trail south of Sevenhill. From here we cross the trail and head out along an 8km section known as the Father Rogalski (Polish Hill) Loop where you’ll pass a number of wineries with great opportunities for lunch and wine tasting. Our suggestions include the Pike Winery and Brewery’s Slate Restaurant or equally Paulett Wine’s Bush Devine Restaurant. These two establishments are often very busy and require prebooking online, but you could chance it on the less busy days. From here you’ll head north to meet up again with the Riesling trail at the township of Sevenhill then finish the day of cycling heading straight back along the trail with a slight variation on the last section back to your accommodation than the morning cycle through Clare. Overnight in Clare.

Meals:  Nil

Today you’ll cycle the full length of the Riesling Trail south to Auburn but the morning begins with a cycle to the northern end of the trail to the township of Barinia. From here you’ll cycle back to Clare returning along rural roads with a detour to the Gleeson Wetlands. You could also choose to sleep in, explore Clare and more local wineries or create your own itinerary for the morning, the choice is yours. Regardless of your morning cycle choice the remaining ride (25km) follows the Riesling Trail route which was part of the former Spalding railway branch line. The line was opened in 1918 and ran between Riverton in the south to the northern terminus at Spalding. It operated until 1983 and ceased after the Ash Wednesday bushfires burnt through the valley and damaged much of the track. The rails and steel bridges were removed and in 1993 this part of the line was converted to a walking and cycling trail. Heading south you will pass through the townships of Sevenhill, Penwortham and Leasingham before arriving at Auburn and along the way you’ll pass bakeries, cafes, coffee shops, pubs, Art Galleries and of course numerous wineries. The dominant variety of grape is the aromatic Riesling, as the name of the trail suggests. The township of Sevenhill has a great winery just off the trail which you would have passed yesterday, the Sevenhill Cellars. This establishment is steeped in history with a walking trail of around 3 km taking in Sevenhill’s significant wine and spiritual sites, including the Underground Cellar, old-vine vineyards, St Ignatius of Loyola Shrine and St Aloysius’ Church with its crypt. It was at this location that Saint Mary MacKillop took refuge with her brothers for an extended period. From here you cycle south to the town of Auburn at the southern end of the rail trail. Your night will be in a stone federation style country pub where you’ll spend the next two nights. Overnight in Auburn.

Meals:  Nil

The Cycle Premium Explorer tour incorporates the two iconic Clare Valley trails, both the Riesling Trail and the Rattler Rail Trail. Having put the Riesling Trail behind over two days today you’ll cycle further south along the lesser travelled Rattler Rail Trail doing a return cycle to the township of Riverton. This is another great cycle journey with plenty of time to set your own pace and itinerary for the day. It is an easy loop ride with plenty of time to amble, perhaps taking in a scroll around the township of Auburn in the morning, maybe stopping for a leisurely lunch in the country pub in Riverton or simply stopping off at wineries along the way. That night you are back in Auburn and the old world ambience of your federation stone hotel in Auburn. Overnight in Auburn.

Meals:  B

The trip ends this morning in Auburn. You will to arrange a taxi (or we can assist) back to Clare to collect your car. If your trip ends on a Monday or Wednesday a coach runs between Auburn and Adelaide. We can book this for a supplement.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 2 breakfasts - basic continental style
  • 4 nights in twin share accommodation - Motel accommodation (2 nights) and federation hotel room with ensuite bathroom (2 nights)
  • Electric bike hire with panniers, phone holder and repair kit (hybrid bikes can be hired for a small discount)
  • Navigational App and route book with maps
  • Luggage transfer Clare to Auburn

  • Travel to Clare and from Auburn (return transfer to Adelaide by coach can be booked for a supplement)
  • Accommodation before or after the trip in Adelaide
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking, towel etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not listed as included

Accommodation

Comfortable Accommodation

You’ll spend 2 nights in motel accommodation in Clare. You'll then spend 2 night in a centrally located in Auburn, staying in a stone federation period hotel with tastefully decorated heritage rooms with ensuite facilities.

Bike information

Electric bikes

We provide good quality Electric bikes. If you prefer a hybrid bike we can arrange this for a small discount. In this instance we would provide Fuji Traverse hybrid bikes.

Trail Surface

Country roads, trails and rail trails

You will cycle on quiet rural roads which are a mixture of sealed and gravel surface. You will also cycle on maintained maintained rail trails which could contain the occasional pot hole and short sections of loose surface.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

This self guided trip involves 3 days of cycling on bitumen and well graded dirt roads as well as along the Riesling Trail and the Rattler Rail Trail with daily ascents of 182m to 447m. Some sections of the daily cycles may have traffic, including trucks. Daily activity is usually between 3 to 5 hours. The trip is graded ‘introductory to moderate’ due to the use of an electric bike. If you choose to hire a hybrid bike or bring your own bike the difficulty will increase to ‘moderate to challenging’ due to the terrain along the Spring Gully, John Horrocks and Father Rogalski Loops. The rail trails themselves are graded as introductory to moderate. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health and be a capable cyclist. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions which can also add to the timing and comfort of a trip, for example riding into a head wind will take more time than when the wind is behind you. If bringing your own bike please ensure that your bike is fit for purpose - road bikes are not suitable for this trip unless they have been fitted with wider tread tyres. The best bike is a hybrid, gravel bike or mountain bike.

Departure dates

Daily departures from 1 Mar to 15 Dec

Priceper person from

$940AUD

Options & Supplements*
    *Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Clare Valley Cycle Explorer trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Adelaide airport has flights to/from all major Australian cities and a few international destinations and is also a rail hub for the Ghan (Adelaide Darwin) and the Indian Pacific (Sydney Perth) rail services as well as being connected by numerous intra and inter state coach services

Breakfast is included in Auburn and you will receive a continental style breakfast - think cereal and toast. There are cafes close by in Clare and Auburn to purchase a more substantial breakfast with good coffee. There are lunch options at a number of wineries from simple snacks to a full set lunch menu as well as a number of hotels providing pub food. Similarly there are local options for the evening meal in both Clare and Auburn from café to restaurant and a number of hotels.

Basically no, a bicycle is a vehicle like any other and you can be charged and fined for drink driving (and lose points off your drivers licence). The consequences of falling from a bike can result in serious injury including death and most insurance policies exclusions for drink driving would extend to cycling under the influence . Most wineries promote a 'sip and spit' approach to wine tasting. It is always going to be far better if you take a bottle or two of wine home with you and celebrate your days cycling there at the end of the day.

Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover up to 45km in a day, across undulating terrain and various trail types as well as road cycling so you would need a degree of confidence on this cycle tour. Excessive rain or adverse weather conditions will always require more care while cycling. Always ride to conditions and your ability and don't hesitate dismounting for any section you are not comfortable with.

Yes, e-bike hire is included in this trip cost. Please let us know if you would like to hire a standard bike. A discount applies for a hybrid bike.

Clare Valley Cycle Explorer Trip reviews

Clare Valley Cycle Explorer Videos

The Riesling Trail - Clare Valley, South Australia

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.