The Santos Tour Down Under has been around for an impressive 25 years – and it keeps getting better.
Onkaparinga will host three stages of the 10-day international cycling competition: Ziptrak® Women’s Stage 1 on Friday 17 January, Health Partners Women’s Stage 2 on Saturday 18 January, and THINK! Road Safety Men’s Stage 5 on Saturday 25 January.
A fourth stage - the Hahn Men's Stage 4 from Glenelg to Victor Harbor - will also pass through the City of Onkaparinga on Friday 24 January, though it's not hosted by the council.
Some great additions this year will make local viewing more attractive than ever.
For the first time, the men will ride down Willunga Hill, not just up it, which is bound to be fast and furious.
Also for the first time, the women will tackle Willunga Hill not once but twice during the competition.
In another innovation, you can watch the races on giant screens showing free live coverage of the races at three venues – Old Noarlunga, Coromandel Valley and Willunga. Bring picnic rugs and chairs and settle in for the day.
Or, if you prefer to see the cyclists in person, watch the Saturday races at the family-friendly Picnics in the Square at The Town Square in Willunga on 18 and 25 January, hosted by the Willunga Business and Tourism Association. Sip coffee, eat the local goodies and listen to live music while you cheer the riders on.
Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were says the tour adds to the fantastic vibe of McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Coast, for both locals and visitors.
“The tour gives us the chance to celebrate our world-class wine region, our local produce, our picturesque towns and of course our great beaches,” she says.
“It’s an important boost to our economy and tourism, giving us international exposure.
“The boost will be bigger this year with the McLaren Vale township logo painted in the field of Leconfield Wines and broadcast across the world, thanks to a council partnership with the McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association and the McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association.
“There’s also the tour’s Best Dressed Town Competition. Aldinga, McLaren Vale and Willunga have been overall winners in past years and we’re hoping one of our towns will win again in 2025.”
To commemorate the Tour Down Under’s 25 years, there’s an additional category in the Best Dressed Town Competition this year – the ‘Best of the Best Dressed’ – allowing the public to vote for the best overall winner in the past 24 years.
Returning in 2025 is RADL GRVL. If you’re a cyclist, you can join the team for one day or all four from Thursday 23 January for a range of rides and tour events.
For more information on the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under, including routes, times and events, see online at the Tour Down Under or the City of Onkaparinga.
Race details
Friday 17 January 2025
Ziptrak® Women’s Stage 1: Brighton to Aldinga
101.9km, Brighton to Snapper Point, Esplanade, Aldinga Beach
Saturday 18 January 2025
Health Partners Women’s Stage 2: Unley to Willunga Hill
115km, Unley to Willunga Hill
Saturday 25 January 2025
THINK! Road Safety Men’s Stage 5: McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill
145.7km, Main Road, McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill
Picnic in the Square, Willunga
Saturday 18 January, 10am to 3pm
Health Partners Women’s Stage 2
Cheer On for the Queen of the Hill, Picnic in the Square
Saturday 25 January, 9am to 5pm
THINK! Road Safety Men’s Stage 5
Silver Jubilee, Picnic in the Square
Free live screenings
Friday 17 January, 11:10am to 2:08pm
Ziptrak® Women’s Stage 1
Market Square, Patapinda Road, Old Noarlunga
Saturday 18 January, 11:10am to 2:30pm
Health Partners Women’s Stage 2
Coromandel Community Centre, Weymouth Oval, Main Road, Coromandel Valley
Saturday 25 January, 9am to 5pm
THINK Road Safety Men’s Stage 5
The Town Square, Main Road, Willunga
Best Dressed Town Competition
Vote for McLaren Vale and Willunga in the Santos Best Dressed Town Competition.
Vote for Aldinga, McLaren Vale and Willunga in the 'Best of the Best Dressed Town' competition.