Tour Down Under 2018: Your guide to celebrations and stage starts in the suburbs
FROM Prospect, to the Port, Unley, Norwood and Glenelg, Adelaide’s suburbs will be celebrating the return of the Tour Down Under for its 20th year. See what’s in store.
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Monday
AFRICAN drummers, food trucks and circus performers — Prospect will be put in a spin next week as Tour Down Under fever hits the inner north.
Up to 20,000 people are expected to fill the heart of Prospect Rd for Touriffic Prospect from 6pm-11pm on Monday, January 15.
The street party — which is held annually to coincide with the TDU — will feature an eclectic line-up of local and international musicians, including African drummer Bortier Okoe.
Adults will be able to relax with a pint of craft beer or glass of wine, while children can emulate their cycling heroes by doing a lap of a street bike course.
There will be performers on unicycles, live street art and a roller derby demonstration along the event space, which has been expanded this year to incorporate the new Palace Nova Prospect cinema complex.
Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin says the free event will offer “something for everyone”.
“It is a fabulous family event that attracts a huge crowd every year,” Mr O’Loughlin says.
“And it is the only Tour Down Under event on the Monday night.”
Tuesday
THE return of the Tour Down Under to Port Adelaide will be a boon for the local economy — showcasing the Port to an international audience, traders say.
Stage 1 of the premier cycling race starts at 11am on Tuesday, January 16.
Cyclists will take off from St Vincent St in the Port and travel over Birkenhead Bridge and through Adelaide’s north on the 145km leg to Lyndoch.
It will be the first time the event has been held in Port Adelaide since 1999.
In partnership with Port Adelaide Enfield council, the Port Guide traders group has been working on the ‘Peloton at the Port’ breakfast celebration for an expected 8000 early morning revellers.
The Port’s historic laneways will be brought to life with 30 local eateries putting their own spin on breakfast with French champagne and Mexican breakfasts on offer as well as the more traditional bacon and eggs and the fashionable smashed avocado on toast.
The Port Guide team has also painted more than 50 donated bicycles to be displayed in the windows of local businesses alongside banners made by Port Adelaide artists Kalyna Micenko and Bob Daly.
Port Guide organiser Alison Sloley, who owns the Port Admiral Hotel, said the Port Adelaide business community had put its “heart and soul” into preparing for the Tour Down Under.
“I think it will showcase the Port and how much it has changed,” Ms Sloley said.
“We’re going to be on the international stage with people from all over the world having a look at us.
“It’s going to be a great place even after the event — there’ll be so much going on.
”For families and overseas visitors, Port Adelaide is a great place just to hang out for a few hours, go to the museums, do a tour around the buildings and eat and drink.”
Michonne Wine Bar owner Sue Finch said the community’s achievement in preparing for the Tour Down Under would emphasise the area’s rejuvenation.
“How it looks visually now is amazing and with the effort everyone has put in for the Tour Down Under ... and with the new developments in the Port that is just going to keep people interested and keep them coming back,” she said.
She was expecting a significant benefit for trade — as did Mixed Creative owner Tom James and Roustabout Art owner Sarah-Jane Cook.
“I expect increased business,” Mr James said. “Despite people feeling broke after Christmas, there will be increased trade for sure.”
Mayor Gary Johanson said he had his eye on the longer-term tourism opportunities arising from the Port’s global exposure during the race.
“Our street party event, Peloton at the Port is an opportunity to showcase Port Adelaide and the great experiences on offer here, and we thank all the local people and businesses that are committed to making this race start an event to remember,” Mr Johanson said.
Tuesday night
FOODIES, fashion lovers and music fans will roll into King William Rd this week to help kick off the Tour Down Under.
More than 20,000 people are expected to take to the Hyde Park shopping strip on the evening of Tuesday, January 16, to get a taste of the Tour’s spin-off event, the Unley Gourmet Gala — now in its 18th year.
Fashion parades, face painting, craft activities and music performances will keep all ages entertained at the free event.
Former MasterChef finalist Heather Day will host a range of cooking demonstrations over the night, while more than 30 food and wine stalls will be available.
Blue Illusion manager Shirley Lindner was looking forward to being a part of the gala.
“Last year, I closed the doors and participated in it myself and I just loved the whole idea to walk along and look in the stores without having to worry about the cars,” Mrs Lindner said.
The store is hosting a fashion parade and fundraiser for Catherine House, a charity which provides support for women experiencing homelessness.
Unley Mayor Lachlan Clyne said the event would help show off the district to the wider community.
“The gala is always a much-anticipated event and a wonderful celebration of our vibrant cycling culture,” Mr Clyne said.
The Unley Gourmet Gala is on King William Rd, Hyde Park, Tuesday, 5pm-10pm.
The festivities will help launch Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under which starts in Unley at 11am the following day and finishes in Stirling.
Tour Down Under riders will leave from King William Rd for Stage 2 of the race at 11am.
Further east, and Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council will host the Norwood on Tour street party on The Parade, between Edward and George streets, on Thursday, January 18, 5pm-10pm.
The free event will include food and live music.
On Thursday, January 18, thousands of amateur riders will leave from Norwood as part of the annual Bupa Challenge, just hours ahead of the professional riders taking on Stage 4 of the race from The Parade to Uraidla, starting at 11am.
Wednesday
MORE than 35,000 people will swamp the Bay for the Tour Down Under next week, in a two-day bonanza shop owners hope will kickstart a strong year’s trade.
The festivities begin on the night of Wednesday, January 17, at Glenelg’s street party, and continue the next morning when cyclists line up for Stage 3, which extends to Victor Harbor.
The street party will feature pop-up bars, extra outdoor dining, a fashion parade, late-night shopping, live music and other entertainment.
Holdfast Bay Council hopes it will draw 30,000 people.
Beach Burrito Co manager Tom Redden expected the street party and tour start to bring new customers who would return after the event.
“We have a strong local following but when you get some new faces coming in, it’s really good for us,” Mr Redden said.
The business will have space for an extra 50 diners on Milton St, which will be closed during the event.
Holdfast Bay Council estimates the Tour Down Under adds $3.4 million to the local economy.
Alongside the street party — which rivals the Unley Gourmet Gala in popularity — an extra 7000 people are also expected to watch the stage start on Thursday.
Himal Baruwal, chef at Tasca Viva restaurant, said the Tour Down Under was an excellent opportunity for locals to try foods from across the globe.
“It’s so much fun when you have that many crowds there — there are so many restaurants open and so many bargains and discounts,” he said.
Attitudes Boutique will set up a stall in front of the shop to sell staff members’ preloved clothes, and will also open late to take advantage of the street party.
The boutique’s social media co-ordinator Olivia Butler hoped the extra tourists would convert into return customers — including people who lived interstate but could order clothing online.
Ms Butler said things were already looking positive for 2018.
“It’s all kicking off well so far — there’s heaps of fun things happening in the precinct at the moment,” she said.
Holdfast Bay deputy mayor Amanda Wilson said the Bay would be “buzzing” during tour celebrations, which were “a huge party for Glenelg”.
Many shops reported trade downturns during 2017 after suffering during a three-week road closure to replace the tram tracks.
“Last year was a very difficult year ... and it hasn’t been the greatest start to summer — the weather hasn’t been the best,” Cr Wilson said.
“We’re hoping that the new year will bring a lot more people to Jetty Rd and locals keep shopping down there and utilising the carparks.”
The street party will be held at Moseley Square and Jetty Rd on Wednesday, January 17, from 5pm-11pm.
Stage 3 festivities begin in Colley Tce on Thursday, January 18, at 9.30am.
The Tour Parade on Thursday morning will be followed by the arrival of professional riders and teams at 10am, with the race kicking into gear at 11am.
Riders take off down Jetty Rd to Brighton Rd and Diagonal Rd, travelling 147km to Victor Harbor.