The Barossa Trail

The Barossa Trail is the easiest way to see the valley at the right speed: a 40-kilometre sealed shared path running from Gawler through Lyndoch, Tanunda and Nuriootpa to Angaston, much of it along the old railway corridor. The first stage opened in May 2014 - the Gawler-to-Tanunda leg was originally named the Jack Bobridge Track - and the route has since been extended and upgraded end to end.

Because it follows rail grades and the valley floor, the riding is genuinely flat and genuinely safe - off-road the whole way, with vineyards, grazing land and winery gates sliding past. Families can pick a single town-to-town leg (Lyndoch to Tanunda is a favourite), while stronger riders can do the full run and put a tailwind to good use coming home.

The trail's great virtue is what it strings together: bakeries, cellar doors and parks appear at perfectly spaced intervals, including the Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre near Rowland Flat. Bike hire is available in the main towns - carry water in summer, and book lunch somewhere worth pedalling for.