tour down under website

Tour Down Under

Participants list.

• Johan Jacobs
• Iván García Cortina
• Gonzalo Serrano
• Vinícius Rangel
• Ruben Guerreiro
• Jon Barrenetxea
• Manlio Moro

Live images will be provided by Eurosport. The exact schedule and platforms were to be confirmed when this Guide was first updated -Tuesday 2nd January-.

As usual, the viewing schedule is the most uncomfortable for European fans throughout the season: stages end around 5am CET . This Guide’s routes should be detracted nine-and-a-half hours.

There will be 10-6-4″ at every finish, plus  3-2-1″ at the intermediate sprints.

Social Media

The organisers’ Instagram account is @tourdownunder .

For the second consecutive year after the race returned to the international scene post pandemic, the Movistar Team and all WorldTour squads will start their 2024 season at the Tour Down Under.

Featuring no prologue this time around yet bringing the usual criterium preface -in Adelaide, Saturday 13th, three days before the start of the WorldTour’s opening round, Tuesday 16th-, the Aussie event again includes short routes, intense heat and interesting courses , with the weekend’s stages set to gather all attention GC-wise.

There’s three clear sprint opportunities, barring any crashes or echelons, in Tanunda (Tuesday 16th), Campbelltown (Thursday 18th) and Port Elliot (Friday 19th). The first ‘breaking point’ should be stage two on Wednesday 17th, with nearly 3,000m elevation gain and a couple of ascents to Fox Creek Climb (1.6km, 9%) , the final one just eight kilometers from the end.

Saturday 20th will bring the traditional -yet absent in 2023- dual climb of Willunga Hill , 3km at 7.4% with a firdt passage 22km before the uphill finish. It will be a crucial day, but not decisive, as the showdown, Sunday 21st, tackles 2,900m elevationon hilly roads in the interior and the ascents of Mount Lofty, 1.3km at 7,3% with a last passage just 2km form the end.

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Tour Down Under

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• Overview 2025
• Total editions: 27
• Country: Australia
• First edition: 1999

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Last winners

• 2024 WILLIAMS Stephen
• 2023 VINE Jay
• 2020 PORTE Richie
• 2019 IMPEY Daryl
• 2018 IMPEY Daryl
• 2017 PORTE Richie
• 2016 GERRANS Simon
• 2015 DENNIS Rohan
• 2014 GERRANS Simon
• 2013 SLAGTER Tom-Jelte

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• 2010-2025 Santos Tour Down Under
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• 2 PORTE Richie 2
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Tour Down Under 2023: Route, stages, and startlist guide

Taking a look at all the stages for both the men's and women's Australian race

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Key Information

Where: Adelaide, South Australia

When: 14 January (Schwalbe Classic men's and women's)

Women's TDU , 15-17 January Men's TDU , 17-22 January

Rank: UCI WorldTour (men's and women's)

Distance: 672 kilometres (men's) 293 kilometres (women's)

Returning to the WorldTour after a two-year absence, the Tour Down Under lifts the curtain on the WorldTour season once more. Multiple big name riders in both the men’s and women’s peloton will be heading to Australia for the stage-race including the recently crowned Australian national road champion Luke Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers) and Grace Brown (FDJ Suez). 

Both the men’s and women’s action will begin with the Schwalbe Classic, an evening criterium on Saturday 14 January. However the criterium will have no say in the overall general classification battle. 

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The men’s race will get underway on Tuesday 17 January with a 5.5 kilometre prologue, whereas the women’s race will begin the day after the criterium on Sunday 15 January with a flat 110.4 kilometre stage between Glenelg and Aldinga. 

Men's Tour Down Under: Stages, 17-22 January

Luke Plapp will be flying the flag for Australia at this years race

The route for the 2023 men's Tour Down Under has something for everyone. There will be plenty of action in the depths of the Adelaide hills as well as other fast and furious sprint stages which should make for an excellent opener to the WorldTour season. Bringing the race back without its famous Willunga Hill climb was always going to be a brave decision, although race director Stuart O'Grady explained when presenting the 2023 route that he believes it was important to bring some "fresh faces" into the Australian stage race. 

"I think it's important to bring some new, fresh places into the Tour Down Under,” O'Grady said. "I was brought in to bring in some new innovations, some new exciting parcours and also didn't want just the same old kind of stages where everybody knows exactly what's going to happen. The new final stage brings in a lot of excitement. It's a short stage, it's aggressive, it's more central to Adelaide, so I'm guessing more and more people will get there.”

Prologue: Adelaide - Adelaide, 5.5 km

The evening prologue on Tuesday 17 January follows a 5.5 kilometre course through the Adelaide Parks and past the Adelaide Oval cricket ground in what promises to be a fast and furious affair. Unusually, the riders will have to use their road race bikes due to logistical issues with bringing all of their equipment over to Australia for the race. It's also the first time a prologue has been incorporated into the race, with race organisers clearly hoping that Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma), home favourite and time trial expert, can pull off the win and the early race lead.

Stage One: Tanunda - Tanunda, 149.9 km, Hilly

The first road stage of the 2023 men's race covers a 149.9 kilometre circuit around the city of Tanunda and and the Barossa wine area. It also features four smaller circuits which involve the Menglers Hill climb, making for a total of 2,050 metres of elevation gain. Menglers Hill isn't so challenging that the best sprinters in the world won't get over it, meaning that the likes of Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) could still be in contention towards the stage finale. 

Otherwise, a rider of the likes of Plapp could look to use the final climb with just 10 kilometres to go as a launch pad for a solo move to the finish. 

Stage Two: Brighton - Victor Harbour, 154.8 km, Hilly

The longest stage of this year's edition, stage two from Brighton to Victor Harbour is all about the coast. Riders will get to enjoy the spectacular coastline for the first portion of the route before things ramp up in the stage climax. 

The final 60 kilometres involve two challenging, categorised ascents although the flat run in could also mean a day for the sprinters once more. In 2020, Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) grabbed the victory. Ewan will be another name to watch or a rider like EF Education-EasyPost's Alberto Bettiol. The Italian can more than hold his own on short, punchy climbs and packs a devilish fast finish.

Stage Three: Norwood - Campbell Town, 116.8 km, Hilly

Stage three to Campbelltown is short but will pack a mean punch with three of Adelaide's toughest hills roped into the equation. Norton Summit, Checkers Hill and Corkscrew Road are all on the menu, providing plenty of staging posts for the high profile overall contenders to make their moves. Corkscrew Road features challenging pitches of 6.8% average gradient, with one section ramping up to more than 9%. Perhaps homegrown hero and Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) will look to test his early season form on the hills of Adelaide.  

Stage Four: Port Willunga - Willunga Township, 133.2 km, Flat

Normally on a stage in and around Willunga, you would expect the infamous Willunga Hill to feature somewhere in the route but this year's race misses out the legendary climb. Stage four gets underway overlooking the beach and ends in Willunga Township after 133 kilometres of mainly rolling, undulating roads. Stage four is definitely a day for the sprinters once more before the race reaches its finale on Mount Lofty the day after. 

Stage Five: Unley - Mount Lofty, 122.5 km, Hilly

Stage five to Mount Lofty will make for a spectacular finish to the 2023 edition of the race. The stage is just 112.5 kilometres long but features five ascents of Mount Lofty, which is almost certainly going to provide drama on the races final day in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. All four ascents of the devilish climb will make for more than 3,000 metres of climbing. The whole climb is 2.6 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7%. At two and then one kilometre to go there are two much more severe, steeper sections which is where the GC favourites will be expected to attack. Many talented climbers feature on the expected start list which should make for a thrilling and aggressive stage five to end the race. 

WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER: STAGES, 15-17 JANUARY

FDJ-Suez's Grace Brown will be a strong favourite for the women's race

Stage One: Glenelg - Aldinga, 110.4 km, Flat

The opening day of the women's race is a relatively flat affair along the South Australian coastline. 

With just one categorised climb on the menu, the category four Chaffey's climb, it promises to be a fast run into the finish which could provide an opportunity for the likes of Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) to start as they mean to go on, with an opening day stage victory. 

Stage Two: Birdwood to Uraidla, 90 km, Hilly 

Stage two will be a punchy affair through the Adelaide hills, a reverse of the route taken in stage five of the men's race. The women will ascend the back of the Mount Lofty climb which is certainly set to cause some major splits in the bunch. 

If after day one Brown has taken an early lead in the GC, she will have to be well on her guard to prevent climbing experts like Brodie Chapman (Trek-Segafredo) from wrestling the overall lead from her grasp. 

Stage Three: Adelaide - Campbelltown, 93.2 km, Hilly

The grand finale for this year's women's Tour Down Under will be one for the climbers with more than 1,500 metres of elevation on offer. 

Corkscrew Road - one of the toughest climbs in the Adelaide hills - will play a starring role on the races final day and will more than likely cause some major splits. 

With sections of up to 24.4% gradients, the Corkscrew will provide a menacing test and potentially the perfect setting for the overall leader to launch an attack, and claim a final day stage win to cement their advantage. 

MEN'S START LIST

 Jayco-AIUla

Michael Matthews  (AUS) Simon Yates (GBR) Luke Durbridge (AUS) Lucas Hamilton (AUS) Michael Hepburn (AUS) Chris Harper (AUS) Campbell Stewart (NZA)

AG2R-Citroën

Ben O'Connor (AUS) Alex Baudin (FRA) Dorian Godon (FRA) Paul Lapeira (FRA) Nans Peters (FRA) Michael Schar (SWI) Damian Touze (FRA)

Arkéa-Samsic

Ewen Costiou (FRA) Mathis Le Berre (FRA) Elie Gesbert (FRA) Hugo Hofstetter (FRA) Kevin Ledanois (FRA) Łukasz Owsian (POL) Alessandro Verre (ITA

Astana Qazaqstan

Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA) Manuele Boaro (ITA) Leonardo Basso (ITA) Fabio Felline (ITA) Dmitriy Gruzdev (KAZ) Martin Laas (EST) Gianni Moscon (ITA)

Bahrain-Victorious

Pello Bilbao (SPA) Nikias Arndt (GER) Kamil Gradek (POL) Hermann Pernsteiner (AU) Cameron Scott (AUS) Jasha Sutterlin (GER)

Trek-Segafredo

Tony Gallopin (FRA) Filippo Baroncini (ITA) Marc Brustenga (SPA) Asbjorn Hellemose (DEN) Emils Liepins (LAT) Natnael Tesfazion (ERI) Antonio Tiberi (ITA)

Bryan Coquard (FRA) Francois Bidard (FRA) Davide Cimolai (ITA) Wesley Kreder (NED) Victor Lafay (FRA) Alexis Renard (FRA) Harrison Wood (FRA)

Soudal Quick-Step

Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) Josef Cerny (CZA) Dries Devenyns (BEL) James Knox (GBR) Mauro Schmid (SWI) Jannik Steimle (GER) Martin Svrcek (CZA)

Alpecin-Deceuninck

Kaden Groves (AUS) Jenson Plowright (AUS) Robert Stannard (AUS) Samuel Gayze (NZA) Senne Leysen (BEL) Oscar Riesebeek (NED) Michael Gogl (AUS)

Groupama-FDJ

Michael Storer (AUS) Miles Scotson (AUS) Lorenzo Germani (ITA) Reuben Thompson (NZA) Laurence Pithie (NZA) Paul Penhoet (FRA) Rudy Molard (FRA)

Ineos Grenadiers

Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ethan Hayter (GBR) Kim Heiduk (GER) Luke Plapp (AUS) Magnus Sheffield (USA) Ben Swift (GBR)

Intermarche-Circus-Wanty

Sven Erik Bystøom (NOR) Julius Johansen (DEN) Hugo Page (FRA) Gerben Thijssen (BEL) Taco van der Hoorn (NED) Boy Van Poppel (NED) Dion Smith (NZA)

Jumbo-Visma

Rohan Dennis (AUS) Robert Gesink (NED) Lennard Hofstede (NED) Timo Roosen (NED) Milan Vader (NED) Timo van Dijke (NED) Jos van Emden (NED)

Gorka Izaguirre (SPA) Imanol Erviti (SPA) Johan Jacobs (SWI) Oscar Rodriguez (SPA) Ivan Romeo (SPA) Sergio Samitier (SPA) Luis Guillermo Mas (SPA)

Chris Hamilton (AUS) Matt Dinham (AUS) Patrick Bevin (NZA) Romain Combaud (FRA) Tim Naberman (NED) Marius Mayrhofer (GER) Martijn Tusveld (NED)

UAE Team Emirates

Jay Vine (AUS) George Bennett (NZA) Marc Hirschi (SWI) Sjoerd Bax (NED) Alessandro Covi (ITA) Michael Vink (NZA) Finn Fisher-Black (NZA)

EF Education-EasyPost Alberto Bettiol (ITA) Mikkel Honoré (DEN) Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Sean Quinn (USA) Jonas Rutsch (GER) Thomas Scully (NZA) Lukasz Wisniowski (POL)

Bora-Hansgrohe

Jai Hindley (AUS) Marco Haller (AUS) Shane Archbold (NZA) Luis-Joe Luhrs (GER) Jordi Meeus (BEL) Max Schachmann (GER) Giovanni Aleotti (ITA)

Israel Premier-Tech

Chris Froome (GBR) Daryl Impey (RZA) Simon Clarke (AUS) Corbin Strong (NZA) Taj Jones (AUS) Sebastian Berwick (AUS) Derek Gee (CAN)

Australian National Team

Caleb Ewan (AUS) Jarrad Drizners (AUS) Graeme Frislie (AUS) Connor Leahy (AUS) Zac Marriage (AUS) James Moriarty (AUS) Liam Walsh (AUS)

WOMEN'S START LIST

Jayco- AIUla Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS) Alex Manly (AUS) Amber Pate (AUS) Georgia Baker (AUS) Georgia Howe (AUS) Jessica Allen (AUS)

Amanda Spratt (AUS) Lauretta Hanson (AUS) Brodie Chapman (AUS) Tayler Wiles (USA) Lisa Klein (GER) Ilaria Sanguineti (ITA)

Grace Brown (AUS) Loes Adegeest (NED) Clara Copponi (FRA) Eugenie Duval (FRA) Victorie Guilman (FRA) Gladys Verhulst (FRA)

Human Powered Health

Lily Williams (USA) Daria Pikulik (POL) Antri Christoforou (GRE) Kaia Schmid (USA) Henrietta Christie (NZA) Nina Buijsman (NED)

Israel Premier Tech Roland

Caroline Baur (SWI) Silvia Magri (ITA) Mia Griffin (IRE) Thi That N'Guyen (VIE) Claire Steels (GBR) Elena Pirrone (ITA)

EF Education-Tibco-SVB

Lauren Stephens (USA) Emma Langley (USA) Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Abigail Smith (GBR) Georgia Williams (NZA)

COOP-Hitec Products

Mari Mohr (NOR) Josie Nelson (GBR) Tiril Jorgenson (NOR) Sylvia Swinkels (NED) Kerry Jonker (RZA) Georgia Danford (NZA)

ZAAF Cycling

Danielle De Francesco (AUS) Elizabeth Stannard (AUS) Nikola Noskova (CZA) Michaela Drummond (NZA) Debora Silvestri (ITA) Maggie Coles-Lyster (CAN)

ARA Skip Capital

Sophie Edwards (AUS) Chloe Moran (AUS) Isabelle Carnes (AUS) Alex Martin-Wallace (AUS) Georgia Whitehouse (AUS) Rachael Wales (AUS)

Emily Watts (AUS) Gina Ricardo (AUS) Jessica Pratt (AUS) Keely Bennett (AUS) Lillee Pollock (AUS) Mia Hayden (AUS)

Nicole Frain (AUS) Rachel Neylan (AUS) Josie Talbot (AUS) Anya Louw (AUS) Haylee Fuller (AUS) Alli Anderson (AUS)

New Zealand National Team

Ally Wollaston (NZA) Bryony Botha (NZA) Ella Wyllie (NZA) Prudence Fowler (NZA) Rylee McMullen (NZA) Annamarie Lipp (NZA)

St Michel - Mavic

Roxane Fournier (FRA) Coralie Demay (FRA) Simone Boilard (CAN) Dilyxine Miermont (FRA) Sandrine Bideau (FRA) Camille Fahy (FRA)

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Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine. 

Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world. 

As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and helps with coverage of UK domestic cycling. 

Küng flies around the course to win the final stage as Roglič seals a record-equalling fourth overall victory in Madrid

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By Adam Becket Published 20 January 24

The 21-year-old Scot has shown his potential before, but a first win, at WorldTour level too, proved it

Two climbing stages follow four days of largely flat racing in South Australia, so the weekend will decide the race

By Adam Becket Published 19 January 24

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South Australia on show again as Santos Tour Down Under returns

The santos tour down under (tdu), australia’s greatest cycling race, is returning in south australia in january with stages sure to challenge the elite international peloton..

The event takes place in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 12-21 January 2024 – featuring nine days of elite racing for men and women.

Stages for the 2024 men’s and women’s races were launched today with exciting new start and finish locations, picturesque routes and fan favourite elements on offer – including the introduction of the first men’s stage start in Murray Bridge to further showcase the region as it recovers from the recent flood event.

Cycling fans can enjoy a combined 1,136 kilometres of action across 10 days. The women’s race will be in the spotlight on weekend one, kick-starting the racing on Friday 12 January with a fast-paced stage from Hahndorf to Campbelltown.

The most challenging final weekend of racing in Santos Tour Down Under history will feature both Willunga Hill and Mt Lofty when the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour race returns from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 January next year.

Last year’s event was heralded a success, with bumper crowds for women’s stages, an expansive global broadcast audience and two Australians claiming the Ochre Leader’s Jersey. It saw 216 elite athletes from 27 nationalities competing at the highest level and showcased South Australia to millions around the world.

The event also provided a great boost to South Australia’s visitor economy, creating the equivalent of 776 full-time jobs for our state in 2023.

Businesses in the city and along the race routes also reported strong January trade, with operators from Brighton to Willunga, Victor Harbor to Uraidla welcoming the extra visitors to their regions. 2024 Santos Tour Down Under women’s stages: Friday 12 January Ziptrak Stage 1 – Hahndorf to Campbelltown, 92km A picturesque start in the main street of Hahndorf will see the women off for their 2024 Santos Tour Down Under. The rolling roads of this stage will prime the peloton for an exciting bunch sprint to the line.

Saturday 13 January Stage 2 – Glenelg to Stirling, 104km After record crowds at last year’s Glenelg start, the Santos Tour Down Under returns to Glenelg beach. The women will travel to Cherry Gardens and through Adelaide’s southern hills before tackling two-and-a-half laps of Stirling in their longest race stage to date.

Sunday 14 January Stage 3 – Adelaide CBD to Willunga Hill, 93km Riders will cover a range of Adelaide highlights in this stage for the climbers, starting in the city centre before moving to the hills and then along the coast. The finish line awaits atop the famous Willunga Hill – a first for the UCI women’s WorldTour race.

2024 Santos Tour Down Under men’s stages:

Saturday 13 January Down Under Classic – Adelaide CBD Fans will have their first chance to watch the men up close across this fast-paced city circuit. Riders will race along Flinders, Wakefield and Pulteney streets and beside the Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, with new start and finish locations.

Tuesday 16 January Ziptrak Stage 1 – Tanunda to Tanunda, 144km Returning to the beautiful Barossa for another blistering sprint stage, riders will tackle three laps of the region, travelling through Seppeltsfield, Greenock, Nuriootpa, Angaston and Tanunda.

Wednesday 17 January Efex Stage 2 – Norwood to Lobethal, 141km The Adelaide Hills will be on show in this exciting stage. It will finish with three 35-kilometre loops and three ascents of the Fox Creek Climb – a short but super-steep climb set to be a launchpad for multiple attacks.

Thursday 18 January Stage 3 – Tea Tree Gully to Campbelltown, 145km A new start in Tea Tree Gully will initiate an aggressive stage set to skirt the edge of the Barossa before a speedy finish down Gorge Road and into Campbelltown.

Friday 19 January Hahn Stage 4 – Murray Bridge to Port Elliot, 136km Showcasing some of South Australia’s most beautiful regions, this stage will travel from the Murray River, past Lake Alexandrina and into the Langhorne Creek wine region before a first-time finish at Port Elliot’s stunning Horseshoe Bay.

Saturday 20 January Stage 5 – Christies Beach to Willunga Hill, 129km Fan favourite Willunga Hill is making a triumphant return, not once but twice in this stage. After a new start location at Christies Beach, riders will make their way around McLaren Vale before two laps of the district. King of the Mountain points on Willunga Hill are on offer in the first, while the second promises an iconic finish atop Willunga Hill.

Sunday 21 January Stage 6 – Unley to Mount Lofty, 128km Mt Lofty returns for the final showdown in what will be the toughest final weekend in Santos Tour Down Under history. It will be time for riders to go all in, and the last chance for general classifcation contenders to make their move.

Please visit tourdownunder.com.au for more information.

Attributable to Zoe Bettison

The Santos Tour Down Under will again open the international cycling calendar and deliver a significant economic benefit to the state. Major events are among South Australia’s greatest strengths, and we are very excited as anticipation is building for this major event. South Australia has a proud and historic cycling culture that is only further enhanced by hosting this event. We know how important the Santos Tour Down Under is to South Australia’s tourism sector and its power to capture international attention. It’s more good news for our tourism industry which is bouncing back with record CBD hotel bookings and more flights landing at Adelaide Airport. We are delighted to welcome fans once again to celebrate not only cycling, but also South Australia’s vibrant offerings such as food, wine and our beautiful regions.

South Australian events have been bigger and better than ever this year. We look forward to continuing the momentum into 2024 with the Santos Tour Down Under.

Attributable to Stuart O’Grady OAM Director Santos Tour Down Under Race

We are all excited to build on the success of this year’s event.

The 2024 race routes will test the elite international cyclists like never before. The Santos Tour Down Under is Australia’s unbeatable cycling race and we are proud to present another edition.

The new race format will see women’s racing held on the first weekend to enable more fans than ever to get out and see elite cyclists in action.

We made history in 2023 with the first women’s stage race in the southern hemisphere at UCI Women’s WorldTour level. Next year we will see the women racing across the first weekend. We have elevated these stages and hope to give fans even more opportunity to get out and enjoy the highest level of competition.

The women will also tackle Willunga Hill for the first time, and we hope to see its slopes lined with cheering fans.

The men will need to give absolutely everything out there on the road in what will be the toughest final weekend in Santos Tour Down Under history. Competition is going to be furious as riders battle it out to secure their place.

Rufus Wainwright Announces 2025 Australian Tour

The tour marks Wainwright's first stops down under since 2019.

Rufus Wainwright (Credit: Miranda Turin)

Canadian American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has announced his return to Australia, revealing his first tour dates down under since 2019.

Set to play “stripped-back shows,” Wainwright’s tour dates will take place in January 2025 at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, 4 January, Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, 8 January (as part of Sydney Festival), Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday, 10 January, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre on Sunday, 12 January, and a full-seated show at The Tivoli in Brisbane on Tuesday, 14 January.

The three-time Grammy nominee said of the forthcoming tour: “I have always loved playing Australia. I love the country, the culture, nature and the people.

“There is an appreciation and enthusiasm for music which is hard to find anywhere in the world. Australia has some of the most beautiful venues. I love how warmly I am being welcomed in this amazing continent. I am sorry I cannot be there more often, so hopefully, this time around, we can really have a wonderful time together.”

Since his last tour of Australia, Wainwright has released the albums Unfollow The Rules (2020) and Folkocracy (2023), the latter of which saw the singer-songwriter collaborate with the likes of John Legend, David Byrne, Chaka Khan, Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow , and more.

Frontier Members can access pre-sale tickets to the tour (excluding the Sydney and Fremantle dates) from 1 pm AEST on Thursday, 12 September, before the general tickets go on sale at 1 pm local time on Monday, 16 September. You can find more ticketing information on the Frontier Touring and Sydney Festival websites.

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RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

​australian tour - january 2025.

SATURDAY 4 JANUARY - Fremantle Arts Centre Front Garden | Fremantle, WA (18+)

​oztix.com.au

WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY - Sydney Festival at Sydney Opera House | Sydney, NSW (All Ages)

​sydneyoperahouse.com

FRIDAY 10 JANUARY - Melbourne Recital Centre | Melbourne, VIC (All Ages)

​Presented by Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring, Gaynor Crawford & Melbourne Recital Centre

​melbournerecitalcentre.com.au

SUNDAY 12 JANUARY - Odeon Theatre | Hobart, TAS (Lic. All Ages)

​Presented by Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring, Gaynor Crawford & DarkLab

​moshtix.com.au

TUESDAY 14 JANUARY - The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD (18+)

​Presented by Chugg Entertainment, Frontier Touring & Gaynor Crawford

​ticketmaster.com.au

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I took the tour again recently, because I had been told that it had improved since my last visit.

The result?  Yes, it is improved.

They addressed all of my earlier complaints about the  tour guides:

• I had complained that it was sometimes hard to hear them speak, so they now pass out individual headphones that allow guests to easily hear the guide under all conditions.
• I had noted that it was strictly a walking tour, and that all that walking could be a bit tiring for some members of the group.  So now they shuttle guests around in golf carts that hold about six people each - making for small, intimate tour groups, and making it easy for the less hardy to easily traverse the lot.
• I had also complained that the tour guides' training seemed lacking, when it came to knowing the history of the studio.  But if the guide on my latest tour was typical, they have solved that problem as well.  Our guide, Travis, seemed well-versed on both the history and current activities of the studio, as well as being personable & professional.  He couldn't have done a much better job, given the natural limitations of the tour.  They have also outfitted the guides with iPads, which allow them to show guests photos and short videos illustrating the subjects under discussion.

And unless I'm imagining it, the studio lot itself (or at least its southern edge, around the Paseo) seems to look better, more gentrified, than on my previous trips - almost resembling a college campus in spots.

All in all, those are some nice improvements, and make for a much better tour than what I experienced in my earlier visits to the studio.

However, what they couldn't fix are the problems inherent to the Paramount lot itself.

Don't get me wrong, Paramount Studios is one of the most historic studio lots in town (and in fact, the only major studio still officially inside the Hollywood borders).  They made the very first movie to win an Academy Award ("Wings"), and on this lot they have shot such classics as  "The Godfather", "Forrest Gump", "Titanic", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Going My Way", "Sunset Blvd", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "King Kong", "Braveheart", "Grease" and the "Star Trek" series, to name just a few.

But what it lacks is a traditional big back lot, full of permanent standing outdoor sets.  This was a staple of the major studios back in the Golden Age, filled with faux residential neighborhoods, jungles, mock railroads, Western towns, and Paris streets.  These big back lots were always the most colorful and interesting aspects of any movie studio, at least from the standpoint of a visitor.  MGM had a huge back lot, before they tore it down in the '70s.  Warner Bros. still has theirs.  As does Universal, of course.

To the average tour guest, all sound stages look more or less the same: distinguished only by the large numbers painted on their sides.  When they're in use, they are usually off-limits to tours.  When they are not in use, they are usually empty or filled with folded flats and lighting equipment.  So the guides are mostly limited to driving past these faceless barns, and telling us the history of each one, with tour guests catching an occasional glimpse of their dark, mostly empty interiors through the occasional open door.

( I noticed that they have added plaques to the outside of each sound stage, listing the notable movies & TV shows made inside.  That's great, except that the tour tram usually doesn't get close enough, or stop long enough for guests to read them. )

I realize that they can't, in practical terms, let the guests watch while movies are being made.  But they could (and should) show us more of the behind-the-scenes process.  Guests need to see things like the costume department, the prop houses, the recording studios, the dressing rooms, the mini-factories where they build the sets - and it sure wouldn't hurt to show guests at least one movie camera somewhere along the tour.

In short, they keep guests on the outside far too often, looking at exterior walls passing by, and listening to the guide's spiel.  Granted, the general buzz of the studio (its streets cluttered with white production trailers, and buzzing with the bikes and golf carts used to get around the lot) can be interesting in its own right, but a little of that goes a long way.

During my most recent tour, we only went inside twice: once to step into a tiny, empty, corner space in the New York set (that was once used for filming a scene from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"), and a second time to visit the empty set of "The Doctors" (a daytime TV talk show that I honestly never heard of).

Still, the tour is indeed better than it used to be, and I have to give them high marks for making an effort. And it remains superior to the Sony studio tour , which is just downright boring.  However, it still doesn't measure up to the Warner Bros. tour , with its huge back lot and more comprehensive tour.

But there are legitimate reasons why someone might opt for the Paramount tour.

As the photo on the left shows, Paramount is the only major studio where you have a view of the Hollywood Sign from inside the lot. OK, let's get into the details of what you'll see:

The Paramount tour takes a full two hours, and barely scratches the surface of the numerous buildings and sound stages that make up the 65-acre studio.

When he does, your first stop will be the Paramount gift shop, where they will give you some time to wander around the small store (where they no doubt hope you will spend your money on one of their t-shirts or coffee mugs, all bearing the familiar Paramount mountain logo).  You can also get a cup of coffee here, and relax for a moment under an umbrella at a patio table just outside.

They will then head east along the south edge of the studio lot, along the Paseo, the tiled walkway that runs parallel to Melrose, inside the studio.  On the right (south) edge of this broad walkway is a small strip of lawn, called Marathon Park, that is often also used for filming (due to its convenient location and relatively low cost), and the guide will tell you about a few of those productions.

Then it is on to the iconic Bronson gate (the one featured in "Sunset Blvd", "The Artist", and many other films), where you'll be given the chance to pose for photos near that famous arch.  (It is indeed a very photogenic spot.)

This brief history lecture (visually aided by the guide's iPad) seems to replace the short film about Paramount that used to be shown to tour guests before the start of the tour.  That's a mixed blessing, since its hard for a single person, no matter how talented, to compete with a professionally-made documentary film featuring the highlights of the studio's 100-year history.

Back outside on the Paseo, you'll be shown the original bench from "Forrest Gump", and regaled with stories about how Tom Hanks showed up one day to sit on the bench and pass out chocolates to passersby.

Then it's back on the tram, and through the Bronson gate into the actual working studio.

From here on in, the tours are somewhat played by ear.

As an example, on my visit, the guide ran into an unexpected problem.  While taking us to see the New York set (usually the highlight of the tour), he found his way blocked by a giant white tent, erected for some special event (you can rent the New York set for just such events, if you have the $10,000 a day it costs).  As a result, we ended up having to take a roundabout route and ended up seeing only a small section of the large New York set (portions of which mimic several East Coast cities).

We got out and were allowed to step inside the empty shell of a small storefront that our guide told us was used as the interior for Alex's boutique, called "Xela" on the TV sitcom "Happy Endings".  Since I never watched the show, that didn't mean much to me.

We were shown clips (via the guide's iPad) of a scene shot there from "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

We were also shown a very small alleyway just outside with fake bricks, and with fake sewers that could be rigged to emit steam, to add to that east coast ambiance.

Along the way, there was a lot of talk of the current TV shows filming on the lot: "NCIS", "Glee" "Happy Endings" and "Rizzoli & Isles".  There are also a lot of Nickelodeon kid shows filming at the studio, with names like "Big Time Rush" and "Marvin Marvin", which didn't ring a bell with most of the adults on this tour.

Tourists always hope to see a celebrity on a tour like this, but that is always a longshot chance.

We also saw a number of little kids spill out of a bus, and were told they were the cast of an upcoming Nickelodeon show called "Haunted Hathaways".  But since the show hasn't aired yet, that didn't mean much.

Likewise, our guide later pointed out a tween girl in a colorful dress, and identified her as Ryan Newman, an up-&-coming star (according to our guide) appearing with Tony Danza on his latest sitcom, "See Dad Run".

But, as expected, the better-known stars of "NCIS", "Glee" or even "Happy Endings" were nowhere in sight.

Finally, we headed to the southwest corner of the Paramount lot, which used to be RKO Studios, and later DesiLu (before Paramount absorbed it).

Our guide showed us Lucy Park (and an adjacent childcare center built by Lucille Ball for her employees).

We took a look at (the exterior) of Stage 21, where RKO filmed the original "King Kong", and then it was back to the studio cafe (seen on "Glee" as "Breadsticks"), where we disembarked and dispersed (after more encouragement to spend money in the studio gift shop).

The bottom line?  The studio tour is better than it used to be, and well worth the time, when you're in Hollywood.  But it could still be better.  And the historic Paramount lot, while it has a lot to offer, isn't the ideal movie studio for a tour.

Parking : Parking is available across the street from the famous Bronson gate, in a paid lot at the corner of Bronson & Melrose. (The cost for parking was a flat $10.00 on my last visit.)

Admission Price : $53 for the two-hour guided tour. (No one under age 10 is allowed on the tour.) Advance reservations are required (at 323-956-1777, or online at www.paramountstudiotour.com ).

(They also offer a special  4 1/2 hour VIP tour, once per week – on weekday mornings at 9:30 AM, and weekday afternoons at 1 PM. The cost is $178, and reservations are necessary .)

 [ Prices are current as of December 2014.]

You enter through the new double-arch Paramount gate on Melrose, just west of the older Bronson gate. There is a pedestrian walkway on the right (east) side of this entrance. Stop at the booth there.

Hours : Guided tours of the studio are given every day (except some holidays), every half hour from 9:30 AM to 2 PM.  (Weekend schedule may vary.) The tours last two hours.

[For more information on this subject, you can access Paramount's official website at: http://www.paramount.com .]  

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King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Australia in late October

King Charles and Queen Camilla will make their first visit to Australia since the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

King’s full Aussie itinerary revealed

Kate saves monarchy in three minutes

‘Incredibly tough’: Kate’s major health update

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a lightning visit to Australia next month in their first trip Down Under since taking the throne.

The visit – the 16th to Australia for King Charles – was put into doubt when the King was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

But Buckingham Palace has confirmed the royal couple will make a shortened visit with three days of events in just Sydney and Canberra.

It’s good news for NSW and the ACT, but disappointing for other states that had hoped to lure the royal couple for a tourism boost.

They will arrive on Friday October 18 before flying out the following Wednesday, for the

CHOGM leaders meeting in Samoa.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday welcomed the visit, the first by a reigning monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in 2011.

“The royal visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress,” Mr Albanese said.

“His Majesty first visited Australia in 1966, and has a strong personal affection for our nation.

“We are delighted that His Majesty is recovering well and has made visiting Australia once again a priority.

“Australians look forward to welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia in October, and highlighting the best of the Australian spirit.”

The royal couple – then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall – was last in Australia more than six years ago for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and a trip to the Northern Territory.

Their schedule this trip has been organised to ensure the King is able to rest.

But it’s still a busy schedule, where they will enjoy a barbecue with everyday Aussies, spend time on Sydney Harbour and engage in events focused on their pet

Prime Minister Albanese will welcome the couple to Parliament House on Monday October 21 for a reception with political and community leaders, and Australians who have excelled in the fields of health, arts, culture and sport.

They will also lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, and visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

At the Botanic Gardens, they will meet with staff and volunteers to discuss the global impacts of climate change.

The King will visit CSIRO where scientists will share their work on dealing with the impact of bushfires in Australia.

The Queen will take part in a discussion on family and domestic violence before meeting representatives from charity GIVIT, of which she is patroness, to celebrate its work in co-ordinating donations for those in need.

More than 1.1 million donated items were coordinated through GIVIT.org.au.

The King will be in Sydney on Sunday and Tuesday, where they will conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, and attend a community barbecue celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity,

The King will meet with Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, to learn about their ground-breaking cancer research into melanoma.

More Coverage

He will also meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and groups to learn about their work in supporting the local community and strengthening culture.

The Queen will visit a library and meet children participating in a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.

The announcement came a day after the Princess of Wales announced that she was free of cancer following her diagnosis at the beginning of the year.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla will be making their first royal visit to Australia in five years, and their full itinerary ahead of the trip has finally been revealed.

The Princess of Wales has just pulled off an unthinkable coup for the crown by stealing directly from Meghan’s playbook.

In a moving video rarely seen from the royals, the Princess of Wales has given an update on her “incredibly tough time” since her shock cancer diagnosis.

• Down Under Classic
• Ziptrak® Men's Stage 1
• Health Partners Men's Stage 2: Tanunda to Tanunda
• efex Men's Stage 3
• Hahn Men's Stage 4
• THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5
• Schwalbe Men's Stage 6

THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5: McLaren Vale - Willunga Hill

About think road safety men's stage 5.

A summer’s day in McLaren Vale is normally a chance to relax. Not so for riders, who face a tough afternoon while touring the district’s most scenic roads.

The formidable Willunga Hill returns – this time with a new twist. First comes a descent of its slopes, followed by a loop that will take cyclists out to the Aldinga coast, past celebrated wineries and up the steep Wickham Hill.

Two ascents of Willunga Hill are set to determine the stage winner, and there’s plenty of potential for a breakaway to call the shots. 

See more about this stage stage in detail  or  read our detailed stage guide.

Find key points along the race route and explore events happening around THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5

Detours: mclaren vale – men’s stage 5, hillside social: willunga hill – men's stage 5, spectator bus transfers, stage in detail, ziptrak® sprints, efex king of the mountain, vantage points, stage profile.

Ziptrak® Sprint #1 56.1km, Esplanade at Snapper Point near Butterworth Road, Aldinga Approx. 12:35pm

Ziptrak® Sprint #2 96.6km, Esplanade at Snapper Point near Butterworth Road, Aldinga Beach Approx. 1:32pm

efex King of the Mountain #1 21.5km, efex King of the Mountain #1 - Wickham Hill (category 1) Distance: 3km, Total Ascent 207m,  Maximum Gradient: 13.3%, Average Gradient: 6.9% Wickhams Hill Road, McLaren Flat near Toops Hill Road Approx. 11:45am

efex King of the Mountain #2 123km, efex King of the Mountain #2 - Willunga Hill (category 1) Distance: 3.0km, Total Ascent 224m,  Maximum Gradient: 15.6%, Average Gradient: 7.4% Old Willunga HIll Road, Willunga Hill Approx. 2:10pm

efex King of the Mountain #3 145.6km, efex King of the Mountain #3 - Willunga Hill (category 1) Distance: 3.0km, Total Ascent 224m,  Maximum Gradient: 15.6%, Average Gradient: 7.4% Old Willunga HIll Road, Willunga Hill Approx. 2:42pm

Main Road at Station Road, Willunga

• Main Road, McLaren Vale. The peloton will pass here three times.
• Corner of Main Road and Aldinga Road, Willunga. The peloton will pass here four times.
• Snapper Point - Esplanade, Aldinga Beach. The peloton will pass here twice.
• Old Willunga Hill Road, Willunga - the peloton will go past here twice.
• Corner of Main Road and McMurtrie Road. The peloton will pass here three times.

Catch the race action anywhere along the race route! Find a suitable spot, set yourself up and watch the world's greatest cyclists race through South Australia.

ENJOY AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PREMIUM EXPERIENCE ON SCHWALBE MEN'S STAGE 5

DeTours is the ultimate Santos Tour Down Under experience. You'll get closer to the action, the entertainment and the athletes as we organise an all-inclusive day for you to enjoy with your friends. On this stage:

🏁 Private pen at the start line 🥘 Italian style long lunch at Our Place at Willunga Hill 🚴‍♀️ 2 race pass throughs 🍷 Wine tasting at Thicker Than Water Wines

Spectator Travel Guide Tour all the action

As the santos tour down under takes over all of adelaide and surrounds, we invite you to tour the many other wonders of south australia along the way..

Tour the Stage

Wanting to know what more you can explore once the race ends? We've pulled together a list of coffee spots, places to eat and drink, things to do and accommodation surrounding the race route in the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Getting to the Stage

Find out the best way to get to the race start and finish, whether it be by car, bike, ride share or on our spectator bus.

Top 5 Things To Do In The Fleurieu Peninsula

Just forty-five minutes from Adelaide lies the Fleurieu Peninsula, where pristine beaches meet picturesque bushland, and world-famous wineries and incredible restaurants await. Check out our list of the top five things to do on the Fleurieu Peninsula and start planning your adventure.

Hosted by the City of Onkaparinga

We thank the City of Onkaparinga for hosting the THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5 and for their invaluable contribution to the Santos Tour Down Under.

OUR PARTNERS

The Santos Tour Down Under is part of the UCI World Tour

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