Cycling

From mountain bike trails through South Australia’s Outback to leisurely rides through metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia has an excellent network of cycling trails perfect for all levels of rider.

Family groups can’t go past the River Torrens Linear Park – a 35-kilometre cycling and walking trail that runs from the sea to the Adelaide foothills through the city’s CBD. Following the picturesque River Torrens, the trail is ideal for those wanting a short ride that’s suitable for children and all fitness levels.

Located near the River Torrens Linear Park is the 900-kilometre Mawson Trail – a good option for mountain-bike riders. Starting just out of Adelaide and travelling to the Outback town of Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, the Mawson Trail is the ideal option for mountain bikers wanting to travel through South Australia’s remote rural and regional areas. The trail includes little-used country roads, State Forest and National Park fire trails, farm access tracks and unmade or unused road reserves, and can be ridden in sections or in its entirety.

The State’s forest network also offers some excellent mountain bike trails, including Kuitpo Forest in the south and Bundaleer Forest in the mid-north.

The Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley wine region is another good choice for people looking for a leisurely ride. The 27-kilometre trail runs along an old railway line, passing rolling vineyards, historic townships and a winery cellar door or two. The trail starts in Auburn, around 90-minutes drive north of Adelaide.

South of Adelaide, the Encounter Bikeway is an on-road and shared path facility that links the towns of Victor Harbor and Goolwa. The trail takes riders through picturesque seaside towns such as Port Elliot and Middleton, and is 22-kilometres in length.

Visitors to South Australia can hire bikes in Adelaide and in many other towns, and several tour operators run bike tours to the State’s regional areas.