Every summer, thousands of cyclists gather in Adelaide and surrounds for the annual Tour Down Under cycling festival that kicks off in 2026 on 16 January. They come from far and wide – locals, riders from all around the country, and even beyond our shores. And although it’s still a little under 21 weeks away, it’s best to plan well in advance, particularly for accommodation and flight bookings.

But learning the ropes can be daunting for the uninitiated, so here is our rookie guide to joining in the fun.

Getting there

Driving or flying is the usual mode of transport for most Aussies. Driving for many is a long-winded affair (about 14½ hours from Sydney, 8 hours from Melbourne, 22 hours from Brisbane, and a whopping 28 hours from Perth), but it’s also convenient, particularly if you’re bringing bikes. Some people turn the journey into a summer road trip and stop at multiple places along the way.

Flying is much quicker and relatively affordable if you book ahead. Bikes can be packed into dedicated bike travel bags or boxes for easy transport. Check with your airline to ensure you can bring an oversized bike bag when you book. If you’re not confident with packing and unpacking your own bike, your local bike shop will be happy to help for a fee.

Staying there

Adelaide and its surrounding areas, that the TDU traverses, have loads of great accommodation options. Hotels, apartments, Air B and Bs, holiday parks and more are plentiful and range from budget to luxury. Apartments are a great option because you’ll have room for bike storage and can self-cater rather than eating out for every meal.

When selecting a location, consider what activities you’ll do so you can choose a convenient spot. The Adelaide CBD is a good place to base yourself, with easy access to the Tour Village, eateries, pubs, and more.

Getting around

If you bring your car, you’ll have transport at your fingertips, and renting a car is another option. However, if you bring your bike, you might find it is all the transport you need. Public transport to the race locations is an option for some destinations, but not all. The TDU organisers also offer a coach transfer to the start and finish of each stage for a fee.

The weather

Adelaide’s weather in January can range from mild summer days to scorching hot 40-plus temperatures. It doesn’t rain much in January in Adelaide, but it has happened on a few occasions. So, you need to plan your holiday wardrobe accordingly. If you ride during the day, you need lots of sunscreen, plenty of hydration, and a good hat.

On those scorching days, you could also go for an early or late ride, and spend the middle of the day watching the TDU stage on a big screen at the event village in the shade, or at a local pub or club. Or, if you have a car, you can drive in air-conditioned comfort to watch the stage and find a shady spot beside the road.

What to bring?

If you’re a dedicated road cyclist like the BA team members, you should bring your favourite road bike. Make sure it has generous gearing because once you leave the Adelaide basin, there are plenty of hills to climb. A limited number of companies also rent bikes during the TDU, and plenty of bike manufacturers offer test rides throughout the event. Get in early to book if you plan to rent or test ride.

Bike manufacturers and retailers, local clubs, and others offer plenty of group rides, so you’ll never be short of new friends to ride alongside. And every day, there are plenty of riders on the most popular routes, so just follow the crowd!

How to watch the race

Most stages begin in suburban Adelaide or locations not too far away, so most are within easy riding distance. At the stage start, you’ll see the riders up close as they sign on, apply their sunscreen, and get ready to roll out. It’s exciting to watch the entire peloton roll across the start.

Depending on the route, you may also pedal out to see the riders along the roadside or even head to the finish. If you have a car, you can plan to see them several times during the stage by studying the course, but be aware that there are rolling road closures as the riders draw near.

How to join in the fun

There are plenty of other cycling-related activities to enjoy alongside the race. In the tour village, there is always something happening, including the official rider presentation, interviews with riders, mechanics tuning up the team bikes, and on-stage performances. The village also has a great array of cycling gear on display and for sale, as well as a bar and food area to relax and watch the big screen.

You can also sign up for the Adelaide Epic mass participation ride, which takes place on Friday, 23 January, and experience a UCI WorldTour stage on the same day as the pros. The Ziptrak Stage 3 route from Henley Beach to Nairne, covering 136km, is the same route the men’s peloton will follow later in the day. There is also a 116km or 63km option starting in Flagstaff Hill and Meadows, respectively, and finishing in Nairne.

The Tour Down Under website has plenty of additional information about the race routes, village activities and destination guides for each stage.