Pure SA Adelaide City to Sea Bike Tour

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A guided small group bike ride from the centre of Adelaide through the Riverbank Precinct and along the River Torrens Linear Trail to the beach, then along the coast to Henley Beach and Glenelg.

Days

5 hours

Group size

Small group, max 10

Start / finish

Adelaide city / Glenelg
Back to the city by tram or the pureSA bus

Return

Back to the city by tram or the pureSA bus

Transport

Guided bike ride, with tram or bus back to the city

Meals

Morning tea

Route

Map of Pure SA Adelaide City to Sea Bike Tour

View map

Included experiences

Riverbank Precinct — Festival Centre, Elder Park and Riverbank Bridge
River Torrens Linear Trail — parks and wetlands
Henley Beach — morning tea at Henley Square
Coastal cycle path — to Glenelg
Glenelg — time at leisure

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CITY CENTRE TO THE RIVERBANK

Meet your guide in the centre of Adelaide, get fitted with a bike and helmet, and roll off at an easy pace in a group of no more than ten. The first stretch takes you to the Riverbank Precinct. Here the white roofs of the Adelaide Festival Centre opened in June 1973, a few months before the Sydney Opera House. In Elder Park stands a rotunda cast in Glasgow and given to the city in 1882. The Riverbank footbridge carries you over to Adelaide Oval, which hosted its first Test cricket match in 1884, past the old rowing sheds on the river.

ALONG THE RIVER TORRENS TO THE SEA

Then you pick up the River Torrens Linear Trail. The Kaurna people call the river Karrawirra Parri, the river of the red gums, and you'll ride under plenty of them. Colonel William Light named it in 1836 after Robert Torrens, one of the men behind the new colony. The path winds through parks and wetlands, past an 1800s cemetery and under viaducts and bridges. The river didn't reach the sea on its own until an outlet was cut through the dunes in the 1930s, so watch the trail swing towards the coast. You'll feel the salt breeze before you see the water.

MORNING TEA AT HENLEY BEACH

At the end of the trail you turn along the foreshore through West Beach to Henley Beach, one of the beaches locals head to on a warm day. Like all of Adelaide's coast it faces west over Gulf St Vincent, so this is where the city comes to watch the sun go down. Morning tea is in Henley Square, by the jetty: a savoury or sweet treat with coffee, tea or a cool drink. Your guide passes on tips for the rest of your stay while you rest your legs.

ALONG THE COAST TO GLENELG

Back in the saddle, a dedicated cycle path runs south along the coast with views towards the Fleurieu Peninsula, named in 1802 by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin. You pass beachside houses, sailing clubs and protected dunes, then ride through the Marina Pier complex and along the foreshore into Moseley Square in Glenelg. South Australia began here: HMS Buffalo anchored off this beach in December 1836, and the province was proclaimed under a gum tree nearby on 28 December that year. There are plenty of photo stops on the way.

AFTERNOON: GLENELG AT YOUR OWN PACE

The bikes are collected when you arrive, so there's no riding back. Swim off the beach, shop along Jetty Road or find an ice cream and a bench by the sea. When you're ready, the Glenelg tram takes you back to the city in about 40 minutes. It is the only line left from Adelaide's old tram network and has run electric trams since 1929. Or, if you'd rather go straight back, the pureSA bus returns you to the city centre.

Map

Good to know

Finishes: Moseley Square, Glenelg. Return to the city by tram at your leisure, or on the pureSA bus.
Fitness: An easy, relaxed pace on designated bike paths and trails, suitable for all riding abilities.

What is included

Guided ride with quality bikes and helmets
Morning tea at Coco Cacao, Henley Beach — savoury or sweet treat with coffee, tea or a cool drink
Bikes collected at Glenelg
Return to the city by Glenelg tram or the pureSA bus

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We loved the City to Sea ride: easy sealed trails beside the Torrens, a brunch stop at Henley Beach and a finish at Glenelg. Fabian was a friendly, calm guide and they dropped us back at our hotel afterwards.

Paul Bloomfield Verified· Travelled 5th December 2025

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(5/5)

I loved the Adelaide City to Sea ride. Kane was a friendly, knowledgeable guide, and it's bike tracks the whole way with lovely views along the Torrens to the sea.

Zae Greenwood Verified· Travelled 26th March 2023

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(5/5)

My wife and I rode from the city down to the Torrens and along the bike path to Henley, with a coffee and cake stop before the last leg to Glenelg. Lawrence and Chris were fantastic company and the bikes were in great condition.

Dan Duncan Verified· Travelled 30th March 2022

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(5/5)

Our ride with Matt from Adelaide to Glenelg was great value, fun and informative. In a short time we got a real feel for the city, and we'll be back for a longer stay.

Margo McLay Verified· Travelled 13th March 2021

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