You do not need to be a serious cyclist to ride the Riesling Trail. Hire a bike in Auburn, roll gently north, and let the cellar doors and bakeries set the pace.
The trail, in brief
The Riesling Trail follows the route of a disused railway line for around 35 kilometres between Auburn and Clare. Because it was built for trains, the gradients are gentle and it is entirely free of traffic, which makes it one of the most accessible and enjoyable rail trails in the country — suitable for families and casual riders, not just the lycra brigade.
A day on two wheels
Hire a bike in Auburn at the southern trailhead and point yourself north. Pull in at the Watervale Bakery for an early pie, detour to the little stone church at Penwortham, and let the cellar doors of Sevenhill tempt you off the path. Many riders go one-way and arrange a shuttle back, so there is no need to retrace your tyres. Finish with a beer at the brewery or a long lunch in Clare.
Practical notes
Carry water, especially in summer, and ride in the cool of the morning when it is hot. If you plan to taste as you go, be sensible — spit, share, or stick to a single glass and buy bottles to drink later. Spring and autumn are the loveliest seasons, and midweek is far quieter than a festival weekend. However you ride it, the trail is the single best way to feel the shape of the Clare Valley.
