$1950 BSA Member $2050 Non-Member
Registration Includes:
NOTE:
Bring Your Own tent, sleeping bag/mat for camping
Optional Extras:
Itinerary – An interactive online route for each day will also be available in due course
DAY 1: SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER
MOUNT GAMBIER - ARRIVAL AND CHECK IN.
Explore the Mount Gambier area by bike, taking advantage of ‘The Mount’s’ cafes, pubs and great riding. Take a ride along the city’s bike trails, visiting caves, sinkholes and the famous volcanic Blue Lake.
DAY 2: SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER -
MOUNT GAMBIER LOOP VIA PICCANINNIE PONDS AND NELSON - 80KM
Ride south to Piccaninnie Ponds, and explore this spectacular limestone sinkhole. Optional snorkel across ‘The Chasm’ and be amazed at this underwater spectacle. Or enjoy a walk to observe wetland birds and native bushland. Cross the border into Victoria and ride or take an optional cruise up the Glenelg River, before returning to Mount Gambier through Caroline Forest.
DAY 3: MONDAY 16 OCTOBER
MOUNT GAMBIER TO BEACHPORT VIA MILLICENT - 98KM
We head north through bush land, forest reserves and prime pastural lands to Millicent for lunch on the beautiful shores of Lake McIntyre. Ride along the Southern Ports Highway to Beachport, perched on the tip of Rivoli Bay. Relax with a drink on the Southern Ocean shore after your first big day in the saddle.
DAY 4: TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER
BEACHPORT TO KINGSTON VIA ROBE – 85KM
Continue north beyond Woakwine Cutting and ride into Robe, one of the region’s most picturesque small towns, with sheltered beaches, historic buildings and great coffee. End the day at Kingston at the heart of peaceful Lacepede Bay, where you can enjoy a cold beer or a glass of Cape Jaffa wine.
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER
KINGSTON TO NARACOORTE VIA LUCINDALE – 106KM
Leave the coast and head inland through native scrubland and prime pasture lands for a well-earned lunch stop at Lucindale. With the wind behind you (!) continue to cruise all the way to Naracoorte.
Day 6: THURSDAY 19 OCTOBER
NARACOORTE – REST DAY / NARACOORTE CAVES VISIT
A day to rest up on and refresh but most will want to keep the muscles supple with a short ride south to Naracoorte Caves and take advantage of an optional journey into this unique World Heritage site. Discover fossil deposits, cave decorations and hosts of native bats!
DAY 7: FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER
NARACOORTE TO PENOLA VIA BOOL LAGOON AND COONAWARRA -77KM
Rested and rejuvenated, ride south to magnificent Bool Lagoon with its abundant array of migratory birdlife, including Brolgas and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Continue on to Coonawarra, heart of this great wine making region, via the recently opened Coonawarra Rail Trail. Enjoy a wine or two along the way or in Penola.
DAY 8: SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER
PENOLA TO MT GAMBIER VIA KALANGADOO AND GLENCOE -76KM
Meander south to Kalangadoo, and then lunch at Glencoe Woolshed, before the last leg into Mount Gambier through Wandilo.
DAY 9: SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER
OPTIONAL MT SCHANK (38KM) OR PORT MACDONNELL (77KM) LOOP RIDE
Before packing away your bike, join a ride out to Mount Schank or, for those who simply can’t leave the saddle, a loop ride to Port MacDonnell and back before final farewells.
The Annual Tour of the Limestone Coast can be explored entirely on sealed roads, however there may be the opportunity to explore further on sections of unsealed road, which are mostly smooth, compacted limestone. Hybrid tyres offer the most flexibility, but you can be a complete roady and stick to the tarmac, or take a hybrid, gravel or mountain bike with slicks.
All route distances are approximate and the route may be subject to change.
Below you will find essential information to help you enjoy your ride.
The 2023 Annual Tour Ride Guide will be available for download in due course
An updated printed copy of this guide including any last-minute amendments will be included in the rider Welcome Pack which you will receive on the first day of the tour, along with your Annual Tour jacket and your rider ID.
Please take time to view the following information resources
The 2023 Annual Tour will start and finish in Mount Gambier in South Australia's South East.
Check-in will be at the South Gambier Football Club located at the Blue Lake Sporting Park.
• From 6.45am for those taking the coach transfer from Adelaide to Mount Gambier. The coach leaves at 7.30am - journey time is approx 5hrs
• From 11.00am for those driving directly to Mount Gambier.
More details will be advised prior to the event
Bicycle SA is currently negotiating access to secure parking facilities in Mount Gambier. Further details will be made available as soon as they are confirmed.
Yes, but you will need to connect via Adelaide or Melbourne.
Qantas and Rex both fly limited services from Adelaide and Melbourne to Mount Gambier but use much smaller planes with only 50 and 34 seats respectively. Additional luggage limits may apply to these flights and you may need to consider having your bike shipped directly to Mount Gambier ahead of your journey.
Bike SA will also be offering the option to transport your bike from Adelaide to Mount Gambier separately on Saturday 14 October. Price TBC
You will need to ensure that your bike has arrived at Bicycle SA office in Adelaide no later than COB on Friday 13 October.
You should consider flying into Mount Gambier on Friday 13 October or earlier as there are limited flights arriving in Mount Gambier on Saturday morning.
You will also need to make your own accommodation arrangements in Mount Gambier if flying in or out a day or two before or after the tour.
Adelaide to Mount Gambier: Saturday 14 October
Departs @ 7.30am from Adelaide Central Bus Terminal, 85 Franklin St Adelaide. Arrive in Mount Gambier at approx. 12.30pm
Mount Gambier to Adelaide: Sunday 22 October
Departs at 1:00pm and arrives at approx. 6:00pm
Bus transfer cost is $125 one way - includes rider, bike and baggage.
Bookings essential.
It is not necessary to pack your bike into a box for the coach transfer. We have plenty of cardboard/blankets to cushion the transported bikes. You may, however, have to turn the handlebars and / or remove the pedals, depending on the available space.
The total luggage allowance is 25kg/person – this includes your tent, sleeping bag / mat, etc. This must be packed into 2 bags, each weighing no more than 14kg (it’s easier and safer to pack two lighter bags than one big bag). Excess baggage fees apply up to a maximum of 28kg. Each bag must be no more than 85 litres in volume or have dimensions of no more than 140cm in total. i.e. L x H x W e.g. 70cm Long + 35cm High + 35cm Wide = !40cm
If flying to Adelaide please take time to check your airline ticket/baggage restrictions.
Annual Tour involves riding distances of between 50km and 100km each day. The average is about 70-80km. Whilst you don’t need to be an elite athlete you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to manage the full distance of approximately 600km over 9 days. You can ride at your own pace each day and rest assured that our support team won’t leave anyone behind. If you’re not sure how long it will take you to ride a certain distance you can refer to the comparison chart below to get a rough idea. Please note that these times do not take into account additional time spent at refreshment stops, taking photos, sightseeing, etc.
Yes, the accommodation on Annual Tour is camping and you do need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mattress – Check out My Gear – What do I need to bring along? When you arrive in the campsite at the end of each day you’ll need to collect your luggage/tent from the luggage truck and set up your own tent. The next morning you pack everything up and take it back to the luggage truck for transport to the next destination.
Yes, you can purchase one of our Deluxe Camping packages when you register for the tour – includes a spacious 2 person tent that you can stand up in and a self inflating mattress for each person. The tent is even set up and packed down for you each day. All you have to do is roll into camp, collect your bags from the luggage truck and settle in to your allocated tent. The price per tent so you can split the cost with your tent buddy if you are sharing. Numbers are limited and usually sell out quickly.
There may be the option of extra cabin/pub/B&B/motel accommodation in some places on route for riders to organise for themselves. However please be aware that accommodation options are limited in some places and tend to book out quickly. You are more than welcome to do a combination of tent/cabin accommodation for the trip if you wish to have a few nights of luxury!
Note: You are responsible for arranging transport of your luggage between the overnight campsite and any offsite accommodation.
We shall do our utmost to cater for riders who have specific dietary requirements, i.e. vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant, low fat, etc.
For those riders who have more specific dietary needs including low FODMAP, Paleo and food allergies, please feel free to contact us with any concerns you may have.
The Annual Tour is generally a roady ride, but there will be some days when there may be opportunities to explore further on unsealed roads and trails. The ride is suitable for either a road bike, hybrid or mountain bike with slicks.
If you don’t want the hassle of transporting a bike to Adelaide you can hire one from Bike SA . We have limited numbers of Avanti and Apollo road bikes and also some Scott Aspect mountain bikes for hire. Slick tyres for sealed roads can be fitted if requested.
Yes, you are more than welcome to use an electric assist bicycle, provided that it complies with South Australian Standards relevant to “Pedelec power assisted bicycles” i.e.maximum 250w power output using pedal-assist system only. View SA Compliance Details Here
A designated “recharging area” will be located at each overnight venue but you will need to provide your own cables for recharging batteries.
Please be aware that access to 240v power outlets may be limited in some venues and you will need to share recharging time with other riders.
Luggage can be dropped off and loaded straight on to the luggage truck at our office on Friday 13 October from 3pm until 5pm only. Take a small overnight bag for your night in Adelaide. This can be loaded onto the luggage truck at the coach transfer departure point on Saturday morning. There is no facility for overnight bike or luggage storage.
Adelaide Airport Flyer offers door-to-door minibus transfers from/to Adelaide airport, outer suburbs and surrounding area. Door-to-door 7 day service. Reservation is appreciated at least 48 hours prior to travel.
Phone 1300 856 444 or +61 8 8389 3528 | Fax +61 8 8389 3572 | www.adelaideairportflyer.com |info@adelaideairportflyer.com
Adelaide Superb Chauffeurs offers luxury airport transfers, with a Mercedes Benz V-Class van (taking max 6 people) and enclosed trailer for bikes.
Call Shane on 0447 788 654 or check out their website www.adelaidesuperbchauffeurs.com
You can also book a Maxi Cab.
Des’s Mini Bus Phone: (08) 8440 1600 https://dessminibus.com.au
Adelaide Independent Taxis Phone: 13 22 11 www.aitaxis.com.au/maxi-taxis
There are many hotels, apartments and short term rentals such as Air B’n’B available in Adelaide, to suit a variety of budgets. We suggest that you make use of a online booking website to explore these options.
Otherwise you can contact the South Australian Tourist Commission for more information.
www.southaustralia.com or telephone the SA Visitor & Travel Centre on 1300 764 227 or for international callers +61 8 84634547 Email: InformationAndBookings@SouthAustralia.com
We recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance at the time of booking – to cover you for everything that could occur including cancellation due to illness/injury, lost/damaged baggage in transit, theft of bike, flight changes, etc.
The following outlines our refund/cancellation policy
Cancellation notified more than 60 days prior to event – a $50 cancellation administration fee applies;
Cancellation notified 60 days or less and more than 30 days prior to event – a cancellation fee of 30% applies;
Cancellation notified 30 days or less and more than 14 days prior to event – a cancellation fee of 50% applies;
Cancellation notified 14 days or less prior to event – a cancellation fee of 100% applies
If capacity allows, special arrangements may be made with non-riding partners, to be part of the event, camping with us and sharing meals. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 200 and priority will be given to actual riding participants.
Contact Bike SA for more information. Non-riding partners may also consider volunteering for the event, helping with catering, logistics, transport or a range of other roles.
Below you will find essential information to help you enjoy your ride.
An updated printed copy of the Annual Tour Ride Guide, including any last-minute amendments will be included in the rider Welcome Pack which you will receive on the first day of the tour, along with your Annual Tour jacket and your rider ID.
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