SA - Tour Down Under

After having spent a wonderful couple of weeks at home in Newcastle for Christmas, we flew back to Adelaide, picked up our caravan and were ready to head west. We decided to spend the first night back on the road in Clare (one of our favourite places). We discovered that the Tour Down Under was beginning from Clare in a few days so we spent the next 4 days enjoying the festivities of the area waiting for the beginning of the race.
While here, we had several bike rides on the Riesling trail which is a walking and bike track that winds its way over thirty kilometres through this picturesque valley passing by many wineries on the way.
On Sunday there was a 60 kilometre road ride from Clare to Tarlee which would be the first part of the “Tour” beginning on Tuesday. Mike joined the group of over 100 riders and rode the hardest ride he has ever done. The wind was unforgiving but he hung in there and I picked up an exhausted but elated man three hours after he had left Clare. It certainly makes you appreciate the fitness of all the professionals on the tour. There was a street party in Clare the night before the race and the roads downtown had been closed and set up ready for the race start. There were several bands, food and wine stalls and we had a fun night celebrating with the locals.
Tuesday morning was buzzing with excitement. We rode our bikes into town, had breakfast and watched the riders and the “circus” arrive from Adelaide. We then rode the bikes back to the caravan park and watched the tour from beside the road.
The Tour brings a lot of excitement to the area and we enjoyed being part of it. We would definitely consider returning another year and following the Tour around the area.

SA - Victor Harbour

The Fleurieu Peninsula has so much to offer. In the beautiful Adelaide Hills we spent a day in the very touristy German town of Hahndorf. There are loads of german style restaurants, shops and no shortage of places to purchase brautworst and bakeries filled with the most incredible Barvarian cakes, also some of the best wineries are in the Adelaide Hills-YES!! The main street is tree lined with beautiful old buildings with many dating back to the late 1800’s when the area was first settled by Germans.
Driving south through many picturesque valleys you arrive at Victor Harbour and beautiful Port Elliott, both of which in the past were vying to be the capital of South Australia.
Granite Rock is an island just off shore at Victor Harbour, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge which serves as both a carriage ride pulled by clydesdales and a walking track to the island . Mike and I spent a morning walking out to the island and then walking around it taking in the stunning granite formations. One of our favorite coffee stops was in Victor Harbour at the Cafe Bavaria-couldn’t resist the cakes at this place!!YUMMY!!
There is 9 kilometre walk/bike track from Victor Harbour to Port Elliot which hugs the foreshore and has wonderful coastal views along the way. We had found a great little restaurant on the beach at Port Elliot, the Flying Fish, so we biked this track a couple of times during our stay. Delicious Fish and Chips!!
Throughout the Peninsula many of the homes are made from local rock and boulders and have a charm all their own, many of the gardens are now full of drought resistant plants due to the very dry periods in this area. We stayed at Victor Harbour but found a great Caravan Park at Port Elliot, right on the beach, but due to school holidays it was booked out-maybe next trip? Definitely come back to this area again!!