Tour Down Under is turning 25 in 2025 - and now is the time to gear up

After a vineyard tour with the winemaker and a barrel tasting of Seppeltsfield Winery's world-famous collection of rare tawny ports dating back more than 100 years, we have just finished courses four and five of a seven-course degustation lunch at the winery's fine-dining restaurant. The grilled king prawns and smoked duck pair perfectly with three different styles of grenache, and though they fill me with a warm, contented glow, I also feel the flutter of butterflies as I realise the peloton will soon be passing.

Rising from our seats, we make our way to the grand entrance of the historic estate to secure a prime position. Lined with tall palm trees planted here by workers during the Great Depression, the iconic Avenue of Palms lining Seppeltsfield Road makes our setting appear more like a scene from Hollywood than the Barossa - something that feels fitting as we wait for the stars of cycling to come into view.

It's January and I'm here in South Australia to experience the best of the Santos Tour Down Under (TDU), which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. While I don't know much about professional cycling, I'm keen to learn more about the event that acts as the first stop for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Tour, bringing the world's cycling elite to Adelaide and its surrounding regions each year - and I'm also happy to indulge in some of the state's best experiences while doing it.

One way to get on track and up to speed with the southern hemisphere's biggest bike race is to take one of Tour Down Under's DeTours. Giving spectators the chance to get up close to the action, this all-inclusive premium package includes transport to regional race locations with visits to some of the state's best wineries, access to exclusive zones, and behind-the-scenes extras like our Detours Track Walk Experience in the town of Tanunda this morning.

Walking among the lycra-clad competitors as they prepared, pre-race tension was palpable. Later, we stood so close at the starting line, we were able to make eye contact with the cyclists just seconds before the gun fired for Stage 1 of the Men's Ziptrak race - a 144-kilometre loop that would take them through some of the Barossa region's most scenic landscape and charming towns, including Seppeltsfield where we are now.

While the chauffeured approach is one way to travel, there are other ways to take in the sights and delights of the tour. One of them is by air. Departing from one of McLaren Vale's oldest vineyards, Oliver's Taranga, it's possible to enjoy a wine flight before a scenic one.

Arriving early the previous day at the sixth-generation winery, we were greeted by winemaker, Corrina Wright, who poured us a glass of her signature white, a fiano, before taking us on an informative Taranga Terroir Tour via golf buggy through the vines of her family's 185-year-old property. Upon our return, we found South Australian Helicopters, just steps from the cellar door, waiting patiently for us. It was their turn to make our spirits soar with a scenic flight of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Hovering over spectacular McLaren Vale countryside with owner-pilot Zac Taylor, we were able to get an aerial view of another wine-region host to TDU stages. Continuing to the coast, as we travelled along the white strip of beach to the peninsula's rugged red cliffs at its southern end, we marvelled at the contrast of the turquoise sea and our luck at spotting a pod of dolphins frolicking there.

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Returning for a delicious lunch prepared from local produce at Oliver Taranga's restaurant, we learn the winery is also one of the departure points for RADL GRVL. Founded by F1 Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas, two-time Giro D'Italia Donne stage winner (and South Australian TDU cyclist) Tiffany Cromwell, and former American cyclist Amy Charity, the gravel-cycling event, which made its Australian debut at this year's TDU, allows professional and amateur cyclists to traverse a mixture of remote roads over three days.

With the tour attracting the largest gathering of recreational cyclists in the country, RADL GRVL seems an excellent way, for those so inclined, to combine the thrill of competitive racing with the pleasures of scenic wine country.

Talking of thrilling racing, back in Seppeltsfield I am shaken from my reverie by the shrill blast of a siren as the first police convoy approaches. Peering into the distance, it seems like hours (though its only minutes) before the peloton rounds the corner and comes hurtling towards us at a frightening speed. The sound of spokes is deafening as the blurry sea of cyclists zoom past, taking our collective breath away. Though it's over in an instant, I know these moments from my first Tour Down Under will stay with me for years to come.

Get your village vibe on: The City of Adelaide Tour Village is the perfect place to view live race coverage on the big screen while soaking up festival vibes. As the city's TDU hub, it's not only where you'll groove to live music, grab food and enjoy drinks while chatting to World Tour cyclists, but also where you'll wander Australia's largest bike expo, watch peloton mechanics and physios in action, and catch expert panel discussions with riders and commentators. tourdownunder.com.au

Dance the night away at Adelaide's newest street party: In the heart of the city on Vardon Avenue, East End Street Party will make its debut at TDU on Saturday, January 25, with food and beverage stalls, DJs and more. Get down to celebrate as the Schwalbe Men's Stage Six - the tour's closing stage - returns to the city for the first time in seven years.

Stay like a cycling celeb: A partner of the race since its inception, Hilton Adelaide is the place TDU cyclists call home, with Hilton chefs preparing more than 15,000 meals this year for the 230-plus men and women cyclists staying there. It's located in the centre of the city and a room here will not only place you at the heart of the tour action, it'll also mean you're just steps away from the city's best restaurants, boutiques and attractions including Adelaide Central Market, the Botanic Gardens and Chinatown. adelaide.hilton.com

The writer was a guest of the South Australian Tourism Commission. Santos Tour Down Under will take place from January 17-26, 2025. See tourdownunder.com.au, which also includes details on DeTours.

Pictures: SATC; Josie Withers