Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Enjoying dusk on the Riesling trail.
If you are an enthusiast, then you’ll be glad to hear about the launch of four new cycling holidays in South Australia’s beautiful Clare Valley by Australian Cycle Tours.
The cycle holiday specialist has expanded its range with these self-guided tours in the state’s wine region.
Each of the new tours features visits to highly-awarded vineyards and cellar doors, cosmopolitan cafes, creative galleries and museums, as well as gorgeous views of classic Australian scenery and atmospheric heritage villages.
In addition, all four new itineraries feature the iconic Riesling Trail, a must-do, 35 kilometre bike route that links the charming towns of Barinia in the north to Auburn via Clare, while the two longer ‘Explorer’ tours also take in the lesser-known 45-kilometre Rattler Rail Trail from Auburn to Riverton in the south.
The Clare Valley Cycle Short Break departs Friday and Sunday and the Clare Valley Cycle Premium Short Break departs daily. Both itineraries feature two days of cycling and follow the same four-day flexible itinerary that includes return transfers (the premium with a private transfer) between Adelaide and the Clare Valley.
The Clare Valley Cycle Short Break costs $850 per person and includes two-nights motel and one-night hotel accommodation, while the Clare Valley Cycle Premium Short Break costs $1,320 per person and includes two-nights private self-contained cottage and one-night hotel accommodation.
Stunning skies over Sevenhill Cellars in the Clare Valley.
The five-day Clare Valley Cycle Explorer and the Clare Valley Cycle Premium Explorer follow the same itinerary as the two ‘Short Break’ tours, with an extra day to cycle to the pretty town of Riverton, along the lesser-known Rattler Rail Trail.
The five-day Clare Valley Cycle Explorer departs Monday and Wednesday and costs $990 per person, which includes two-nights motel and two-nights hotel accommodation, as well as coach transfers from Adelaide.
The Premium Explorer departs daily and costs $1,550 per person, which includes two-nights self-contained cottage and two-nights hotel accommodation, private transfers from and to Adelaide CBD or airport, as well as a complimentary lunch and wine tasting at a leading Clare Valley winery.
They all include navigational App and route maps, bike hire and luggage transfers.
New itineraries
The four new Clare Valley itineraries complement the company’s existing Hunter Valley range, which includes two deluxe self-guided gourmet cycling adventures along the historic Hermitage Trail in the beautiful Hunter Valley.
The three-day Hunter Valley Deluxe Short Break and the four-day Hunter Valley Deluxe Self-Guided Cycle Explorer are an exploration of Australia’s oldest wine region at your own pace, with time to enjoy lunch at a relaxed pace, sample local delicacies or stop for wine tastings enroute.
Explore the Clare Valley by bike.
Both include accommodation in a king room, with a spacious open plan bedroom and lounge space, a private ensuite with spa bathtub at the luxurious Spicers Vineyard Estate in the heart of the Pokolbin region.
Other classic Australian Cycle Tours itineraries include the Central West Trail Self-Guided Cycle Tour, Cycle Kosciuszko to the Sea, Capertee Valley in Comfort Self-Guided Cycle, the Great Victorian Rail Trail Self-Guided Cycle and a spectacular six- day South Coast Self-Guided Cycle.
Also offered is a supported cycle range, designed to give active travellers the flexibility that comes with self-guided cycling, but with an accompanying support vehicle on hand as a back-up. Some examples of the supported cycle range include the Top End Kakadu Cycle and the Warrumbungles and Pilliga Supported Cycle trips.
With luggage transfers and all logistics taken care of, active wine lovers can now appreciate the thriving food and wine scene of one of Australia’s oldest wine regions ― by bike!
DETAILS BOX
Visit Australian Cycle Tours
T: +61 2 8270 8400
E: [email protected]
