3 Day Tour De Clare Valley Self-Guided Cycling Tour

Your accommodation on your first night is located in the main street of Auburn. There is no cycling planned for today however if you do arrive early, take the chance to explore the historic village of Auburn and some great cellar doors nearby. Dinner: A booking has been made for you at the Rising Sun Hotel for 7.30pm. The meals here are superb! Included in your tour package is 1 x main course per person, with drinks and/or extra courses being additional.

Breakfast: A continental breakfast is included in your room at the Rising Sun Hotel. A cooked breakfast is available at any number of cafes in town. Bikes: Pack your bags ready for checkout and leave them at the reception. These will be collected and transported to your next nights’ accommodation for you. Your bikes will be delivered to the Rising Sun approx. 8.45am on the first morning (contact Andrew on 0418 802 077 if needed). Cycling the Riesling Trail Today you cycle approximately 35kms toward Clare, with lots of scheduled stops on the way. Use the enclosed map, the navigation is fairly straightforward, with lots of signage so keep an eye out for the relevant signs. To start, head north out of Auburn toward Clare, with the Riesling Trail commencing almost immediately on the left of the main road (Horrocks Hwy). Follow the trail, stopping to admire the views. Continue past Leasingham and Watervale (9kms) until you get to Penwortham (approx. 15kms from Auburn). Pawelski Rd crosses the Rail Trail, at this point you turn left off the Riesling Trail and follow Pawelski Rd, crossing Horrocks Hwy (take care) and onto Horrocks Rd. Continue on Horrocks Rd for 1.3km to Hughes Park Rd, turning right and then left at Penna Lane to Kilikanoon Wines for your first wine tasting. We have selected this cellar door purely for the quality of the wines, some of the best Riesling in the world. Head back to Hughes Park Rd and drop into Mitchell Winery about 600 meters up the road which we also strongly recommend stopping at on your way to lunch. Continue another 600m up Hughes Park Rd until you reach Trevarrick Rd, turn left and your lunch venue is 200m on the left at Skillogalee Wines & Restaurant, where a lunch booking has been made for you and is included in your tour (a la carte excluding drinks). Lunch @ Skillogalee Winery Trevarrick Rd, Sevenhill Enjoy the amazing and highly regarded food at this wonderful winery. There is some cycling to do after lunch so perhaps don’t indulge too much! Departing Skillogalee, head back the way you came toward Hughes Park Rd (300m), and continue straight with Trevarrick Rd becoming Willow Glen Rd. Continue straight for 1.2km crossing Horrocks Hwy to rejoin the Riesling Trail. The short steep hill can easily be walked here without causing issues for the itinerary. There is no hurry. Follow the Rail Trail for 8kms all the way into Clare until you reach York Rd, then follow briefly onto Farrell Flat Rd, turn left and follow – staying right – with Knappstein on your right-hand side. Knappstein Wines is also a brewery and is a great location to finish the day. From Knapptein’s, turn left retracing your cycle in by heading up the hill on Farrell Flat Rd, turning left at White Hut Rd, with your accommodation on the left-hand side on the grounds of Inchiquin Lake. Remember to let us know if you make any purchases that need collection (eg wine). Accommodation in Clare Clare Country Club White Hut Rd, Clare  Dinner Recommendations: For your evening meal, we recommend the new gourmet restaurant in town ‘Seed’, located a brief walk to Clare at 308 Main North Rd Note, dinner this evening isn’t included in your tour.

Today you follow the Riesling Trail back to Auburn, taking a more direct and what feels like a more downhill route. There is a myriad of wineries to possibly visit, and you can. For this itinerary, we have scheduled what we feel are the best but you can, of course, stop at any time or place you choose. Whilst you will ride the length of the Riesling Trail today, there is no need for an early start. Relax, and enjoy the country air. A full breakfast is included with your accommodation. Leave your bags at reception to be collected. No visit to the Clare Valley is complete without a stop at one of Australia’s oldest wineries and cellar doors, Sevenhill Cellars. Make sure you view the small museum and the barrell cellar downstairs, a step back in time. Oh and the wines are worth a little taste too, if not for a touch of holiness. Suggestion: If you are an avid wine fan, and are keen to experience the product of the smaller, boutique wineries in the region, visit the Little Red Grape outlet in Sevenhill. There is also a bakery and a lovely crafts store next door. Optional: For keen and fit riders, the Father Rogalski Loop (10km see map) is a worthy distraction. It is steep in parts, but the views and the wineries on route are great rewards, especially the brilliant Pikes Winer Continue along the Riesling Trail toward Auburn but keep an eye out for signage to Annie’s Lane Winery at Queltaler. Whilst an uphill but short driveway awaits, it is a beautiful winery, with great wines, and historical buildings and yards, a perfect spot for a bit of photography. Lunch: Back on the Riesling Trail, the next scheduled stop is lunch at O’Leary Walker Wines. Stunning views, great wines and a gorgeous setting outside (on a nice day) and views over the valley. A gourmet platter lunch is booked and included in your tour package (excluding drinks). Your riding is almost done, with no further scheduled stops, but some recommendations as follows: Taylors Wines: a lovely cellar door and great wines, a bit of a ride off the Riesling Trail heading into Auburn Mount Horrocks Wine & Station Café: located on the edge of Auburn, it’s a great end of day visit, with terrific historical references, great wines, and a superb coffee. Tour End: return your bikes to The Rising Sun, where they will be collected for you. Your luggage will also be waiting. Relax and enjoy the ambiance of this great hotel as you make your way onward.