Santos Tour Down Under 2026

The South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Hills Council have confirmed the Hills will host three stages of the Santos Tour Down Under in 2026.

The iconic event will return in force to the Adelaide Hills during January 2026 with a finish of the UCI Women’s WorldTour race in Paracombe, a finish of the UCI Men’s WorldTour race in Uraidla, and a Men’s start and finish in Stirling for the race finale.

Adelaide Hills Council Acting Mayor Nathan Daniell says Council fully explored the benefits TDU brings to the region to reinforce their decision making around the event.

Adelaide Hills Council will host three stages in 2026.

• Sunday 18 January 2026 Health Partners Women’s Stage 2 finish in Paracombe

• Thursday 22 January 2026 Health Partners Men’s Stage 2 finish in Uraidla

• Sunday 25 January 2026 efex Men’s Stage 5 start and finish in Stirling

A journey from Magill to Paracombe frames this crucial second day of racing, one that demands climbing strength but also the punchy tempo of an all-rounder.

Weary legs from Willunga the day before will be put to the test across a 130-kilometre stage that offers sprints at Lobethal and Kersbrook before the mountains loom.

It’s not pure climbers with the best chance of victory here, but rather a cyclist who can set the pace and race aggressively right to the line. No less than five ascents are on the agenda, including a summit finish on the last of three Paracombe climbs.

This patch of the Adelaide Hills is known for its rich cycling history, having hosted state and national championships over the years, and offers beautiful backdrops to the fierce on-road battles ahead.

Adelaide Hills Council will be activating sites across the hills with big screens, music, food and entertainment including at the finish in Paracombe.

The only way is up on an epic stage that starts in Norwood before winding through the Adelaide Hills to Uraidla.

Incline? You bet. Health Partners Stage 2 promises 148.1 kilometres of all-out effort as cyclists race from inner-city Norwood to Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills.

Three huge climbs are on the agenda, with a grind up Norton Summit followed by a visit to Mt Lofty and the men’s first dual ascent of notorious Corkscrew Road.

Two sweeping loops through communities including Crafers, Piccadilly, Lobethal and Cudlee Creek will keep the world’s best busy – and anything is possible as they make a last push to the line.

Adelaide Hills Council will be activating sites across the hills with big screens, music, food and entertainment including Uraidla Oval and Summertown Playground.

The toughest Santos Tour Down Under yet will finish on an unrelenting stage that has the Adelaide Hills community of Stirling at its heart.

Stirling is set to host the stage start and finish, with scenic loops through towns including Mylor and Aldgate.

At nearly 170 kilometres this is among the longest closing stages in Santos Tour Down Under history, chosen by race director Stuart O’Grady OAM to keep the world’s best working strategically until the very last moment.

We’ll see a two-kilometre climb on approach to Stirling, sprints in Heathfield and a weary winner emerge after a huge day in the saddle.

Adelaide Hills Council will be activating sites across the hills with big screens, music, food and entertainment including Steamroller Park in Stirling, Mylor Oval, Stirling Library laws and Stirling Oval

Spectators with a disability and families with very young children are welcome to contact Council to reserve a spot in the Adelaide Hills finish line marquee – just email us at events@ahc.sa.gov.au

The Santos Tour Down Under will be cancelled if a fire danger rating of catastrophic is declared by the CFS on a particular day. Please monitor the Council and Santos Tour Down Under websites for information on the potential race impacts if an extreme fire danger rating is declared at any stage.

Please keep dogs on a lead during the Santos Tour Down Under in the hills.

To ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment, we ask you to keep your dogs on a lead if you are attending the Santos Tour Down Under. Recent incidents involving dogs in international races have raised serious concerns for the safety of both the dogs and participants. Let’s work together to keep the event safe and fun for all!