Your essential councils' guide to the Santos Tour Down Under 2026

11 January 2026

The excitement is building for one of cycling’s most coveted races and South Australian councils will also be trackside to capture the excitement with community events, watch parties and so much more.

The Santos Tour Down Under is turning 26 in 2026 and the iconic race will feature stages through Adelaide and the surrounding regions of the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Nearly 800,000 spectators are expected to flock to the 10-day event, making it the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere.

Several host councils will once again ensure there’s plenty to see and do, before the race, during and after the cyclists cross the finish line.

Here is a look at the 2026 TDU line up and the complementary council events and offerings:

City of Adelaide

16 - 25 January 2026

It takes a Village, people!

The Tour Village is back. You know the Santos Tour Down Under has arrived, when the big inflatable bike appears in Victoria Square or Tarntanyangga.

On the opening night, Hot Dub Time Machine will get the party started with a free concert.

Each day, the race will be streamed on the Santos big screen, and there’s a daily entertainment program too, as well as a bike expo, kid’s zone and a recovery zone to soothe those tired muscles.

At night, grab a drink or bite at one of the many stalls and soak in the atmosphere at the Pepsi lounge or hit the dance floor when the DJ’s take to the stage.

Outside the square, there are food and wine experiences for the TDU at 2KW, the National Wine Centre, Mother Vine and Kiin restaurant.

City of Onkaparinga

17 - 24 January 2026

Gear up for the southern stages.

Riders will return to the south for the opening women’s stage and the fourth men’s stage.

The women’s stage starts and finishes at Willunga, so why not stay for the day and take part in Picnic in the Square? From 10 am to 3 pm there’ll be market stalls, live music and local artists on hand to get your best side or capture the cycling action on canvas.

If you feel like venturing out of the town square, high tea hot spot, Willunga Tealicious Cakes offers great vantage points and a tailor-made Tour-de-licious menu.

Over at neighbouring Mc Laren Vale, the ten-day Summer Vines Festival will be in full swing. Book a sunset tour or a food and wine experience at one of the many supporting wineries.

Another winery worth visiting is Richard Hamilton Wines. The City of Onkaparinga is hosting a free garden party on 24 January 2026 called Love Velo Vines. There’ll be live music and entertainment, but don’t worry, you can still catch the men’s stage 4 race on the big screen.

In fact, if you’re getting TDU fomo, pop back to Willunga to see the final sprint at the new Finish Line Hub. There are three new hubs:

Brookman Road, Willunga (men’s stage 4)

Foxfield Oval, Athelstone (women’s stage 3)

Victoria Park in the city (men’s prologue).

Then finish off the night with Flicks at the Flat. There will be activities and a free screening at an outdoor cinema of How to Train Your Dragon at McLaren Flat Recreation Ground Oval.

Find out more at City of Onkaparinga.

City of Burnside and Campbelltown City Council

18 January 2026

The East is unleashed

Celebrate the start of the Women’s Stage 2 with family-friendly activities right next to the Magill Village start line.

Magill in Motion is a joint event between the City of Burnside and Campbelltown City Council featuring free entertainment and experiences, arts and crafts workshops, and the Burnside Rotary Club will fire up the barbecue.

Visit City of Burnside or Campbelltown City Council for more information.

Adelaide Hills Council

18 January–25 January 2026

Heading for the hills

Adelaide Hills Council is another regular host of men’s and women’s stages and this year there’s so much cycling action and activity to choose from, including at:

Paracombe

18 January 2026

The hills community has two wineries hosting events, but most of the action will be at Paracombe Oval between 11:30am – 3:30pm to watch the riders cross the line for Women’s Stage 2. There’ll be family activities, food trucks and more.

Uraidla

22 January 2026

There are plenty of good spots to catch the cyclists race by on the High Road, but you might prefer to book a hospitality package at the Uraidla Hotel.

Stirling

25 January 2026

There’s so much TDU to do at this leafy hills town, they call it Stirling Spin. Catch all the action from Stirling Oval, the cafes, the Stirling Markets, a dedicated kid's zone at Steamroller Park or on the big screen at Stirling library.

Find out more at Adelaide Hills Council.

City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters

19 January and 22 January 2026

Come join the Parade

There will be two stage starts in Norwood and two reasons to join the street party - Party on the Parade at the start and finish line.

If you feel like a culinary distraction once the women riders set off on 19 January 2026, why not book a Food Secrets + Eastside Wine & Ale Trail Bus Tour. For $55, this guided experience will take you behind the scenes with local producers and their creations. From handmade artisan treats to a delicious locally sourced lunch and wine tastings.

The Barossa Council

21 January 2026

Embrace the race

Catch the start of Men’s stage 1 at 11:10 am and Women’s One-Day race from 3:30 pm.

For an all-inclusive tour of South Australia’s iconic wine region, try Best of the Barossa. A luxury coach will pick you up from Adelaide and take you to a private viewing space at the start line in Tanunda, then onto a long lunch with beverages at fermentAsian and finally a guided gin tasting at Seppeltsfield Rd Distillery.

If you prefer to choose your own Barossa adventure, here are six other elevated experiences.

Two Wheels Two For One Tasting - Seppeltsfield Road Distillers is celebrating with a special offer. Gather a mate and enjoy two-for-one gin tasting flights at the distillery.

Saltram Wines – The Tour Barossa Feast - Watch the race from Angaston Road while enjoying a three-course Barossa-inspired feast and guests will have exclusive use of the cellar door, restaurant and gardens all afternoon.

Pedals & Picnics at Yalumba – enjoy a tasting by a Yalumba Wine Ambassador, then select your favourite spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and soak up the race atmosphere.

Barossa Breakaway - cheer on the peloton as it races past Lyndoch, then return to Kies Family Wines for a Barossa Produce Platter, curated wine flight and free tasting.

Garden Party at Seabrook Wines - watch the riders fly past three times at Menglers Hill, while soaking up the vineyard views and delicious wines and platters.

Terroirs of the Barossa Shiraz - Chateau Tanunda is turning on the charm and fine wines with a free tasting of four premium single vineyard Shiraz wines.

Have a look at your options at The Barossa Council.

City of Charles Sturt

23 January 2026

Go see Go Henley!

To celebrate the first hosting of a stage by the City of Charles Sturt, there’ll be live entertainment and hospitality offerings at Henley Square and the Plaza, plus plenty of activities for the kids – including arts and crafts at Charles Sturt libraries.

Go check it out at City of Charles Sturt.

Mount Barker District Council

23 January 2026

All eyes on Nairne

What better way to catch the professionals and the amateur riders than a Nairne Pedal Party?

You can catch all the action from watching platforms, plus there’ll be kid’s activities like bike decorations while you enjoy strawberries and cream or a Lions Club sausage sizzle.

Visit Mount Barker District Council for more info.

City of Holdfast Bay

24 January 2026

Cyclists and sculptures by the seaside

Before the Men’s Stage 4 race gets underway from Brighton to Willunga Hill, be sure to check out South Australia’s largest sculpture event - which even includes a Tour Down Under installation. Brighton Sculptures is a free 12-day event and is expected to attract over 100,000 people. All funds raised will go towards equipment and training for the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club.

Find out more at City of Holdfast Bay