Best motorcycle road rides near Adelaide

The South Australian capital of Adelaide is one of the most motorcycle-friendly locations in Australia. The so-called City of Churches could well be called the City of Motorcycles if you consider the number of machines that turn out for Spring rides and the annual Festival of Motorcycling or the Lions Bike Show.

Besides those landmark events, many clubs and informal social groups conduct independent rides, so there is never a shortage of opportunities to ride with like-minded guys and gals on the wonderful labyrinth of roads that overlay the map of the surrounds of Adelaide.

A satisfying and challenging day ride can be had north, east and south of the city or easily extended to a weekend overnighter in any of the well-known tourism districts that have made South Australia famous to visitors from all over the country and even the world.

Route distance (via Birdwood) 75kms

The historic town of Lobethal was the site of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix, run over 17 laps of a roughly triangular 14km circuit that ran through the main streets of Lobethal and Charleston. The winning car averaged 135kmh, no mean feat for an MG T-type!

There are numerous ways to arrive at Lobethal where scores of bikes will line the street outside the Amberlight Motorcycle Cafe. Here is just one popular option.

Begin with an invigorating espresso at Taylor Blend Cafe on Hallett Rd at Stonyfell. Then head south to join Greenhill Rd (B26) riding through the scenic Piccadilly Valley where you veer NE onto Deviation Rd at Carey Gully. It will join Lobethal Rd (B27) and continue through many tight and twisty turns past Forest Range and Lenswood.

After a mandatory latte at the Amberlight, you may decide to continue on the old GP circuit to Birdwood via Mount Torrens (B34) where the excellent National Motor Museum will fill you in on all the motoring history of the district and much more. Seen it already? Birdwood bypass is via Cudlee Creek Rd. Otherwise, your return route becomes the B10 through Gumeracha and the rollercoaster Gorge Road (B31) past the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir. This road is frequently policed, so easy does it. Ask me how I know!

Route distance Burnside to Clare (211kms)

Everyone knows the Barossa Valley for its world-famous wines, particularly the big bold reds, so to enjoy this fully, why not schedule an overnight stop and tuck into some hearty German tucker and a bottle of Shiraz?

No one enjoys a motorway, so let’s continue from Birdwood (B10) to Angaston via Mount Pleasant and the Eden Valley. Depending on your hunger and timings, excellent lunches can be had at the Mount Pleasant Bakery (best Cornish pasties), Eden Valley Hotel (best schnitzels) or the little-bit-fancy Lambert Estate Winery where fabulous share plates can be ordered. 

At this point, you can decide to loiter around the towns of Nuriotpa, Tanunda and Lyndoch where window- and knick-knack shopping, wine-tasting boutiques, folk museums and various curiosities abound, or press on toward the Clare Valley. I’ve overnighted at the Tanunda Hotel previously, but there are accommodation and dining options aplenty.

If so, dodge the gnarly A10 and head to Truro via Moculta where you head due north to Eudunda. Staying on the unnumbered, sealed B and C roads, go cross country to Clare via Manoora and Mintaro. The best grub in the entire district is at the Watervale Hotel and you’ll see why. Again, plenty of accommodation, but the Discovery Park at Clare right next to the Visitor Centre is my pick.

Route distance Eudunda to Murray Bridge via Morgan (230kms)

The vast plains beyond the hills to Adelaide’s east are a whole other world away. Not much chop in the summer due to the often stifling heat, but a doddle along the Murray River roads is a most pleasant event on a mid-20s spring or autumn day.

Following on from Truro and just before Eudunda, we turn and head due east on the Thiele Hwy (B81) toward the historic port town of Morgan, once thronging with the noisy business of paddle steamers ferrying loads of wool and wheat toward Adelaide.

Do we travel onward to Renmark (B64) and the fertile Riverlands, or hook due south toward Mannum and Murray Bridge via Murbko Rd? The Murraylands Road (west of the river) is still unsealed in places. The choice is yours.

The latter option brings you to the outpost of Blanchetown at the junction of the Sturt Hwy (A20). Stop for a “Walking Dead” selfie on the abandoned bridge. Stay on the eastern side of the river on Hunter Rd to avoid any unsealed sections.

The next waypoint is Swan Reach, where refreshment at the excellent hotel awaits. Cross the ferry to head back to Adelaide or continue south along Hunter Road, being sure to stop for the photo opp at Big Bend Lookout.

At Walker Flat you can likewise head back across the ferry to the city via the Angus Valley or press on to Mannum and Murray Bridge (B55). The Pretoria Hotel at Mannum is an excellent excuse to stop and wander the street.

At the major centre of Murray Bridge you can decide to head back to the city on either the scenic route via the Old Princes Highway or the express route via the M1 (yawn). But with time on your side, you could continue south on the A1 to Tailem Bend for a look at the international race track and then take the ferry across the Murray at Wellington and continue westward to the Fleurieu Peninsula via Langhorne Creel (B45) and that other local motorcycle ‘mecca’, Strathalbyn.

Sundays in ‘Strath’ are alive with both daytrippers and bikers of all descriptions, many congregating at that famous haunt, The Robin Hood Hotel. Here you can also pay your respects to local riding hero, Kenny Blake, who tragically lost his life at the Isle of Man TT in 1981.

Suitably replenished, your options are numerous. Consider ‘Strath’ as a hub of the wheel with ‘spokes’ going out to all points of the compass. Arguably the most popular entry and exit route is via Paris Creek and Bull Creek Roads and Meadows. Dashwood Gully Road to Kangarilla and Clarendon is the scenic direct route back to the CBD.

Enjoy your rides in the glorious Adelaide Hills and above all, ride safely.