Route 136: Adelaide Hills & Fleurieu Loop
Ride a 541.5 km / 336 mi motorcycle loop from Adelaide in three stages. Cross the Adelaide Hills and Murraylands, ride the Fleurieu coast and stop overnight in Strathalbyn and McLaren Vale.
Route area: Australia.
This legacy EMJ route remains part of the motorcycle-route archive. Content and downloadable files should be used as trip-planning guidance and checked against current road conditions, weather, access rules, opening times and local restrictions before riding.
Route 136: Adelaide Hills & Fleurieu Loop
A three-stage motorcycle loop from Adelaide, crossing the Adelaide Hills and Murraylands to the Fleurieu coast, then returning through McLaren Vale and the southern hills. Overnight in historic Strathalbyn and wine-country McLaren Vale before the final ride back to Adelaide.
Loop · same start and finish
541.5 km / 336 mi
3 riding stages
Strathalbyn · McLaren Vale
The complete loop at a glance
Explore the three stages
Stage 1 · Adelaide → Strathalbyn
168.6 km / 105 mi
Stage 2 · Strathalbyn → McLaren Vale
185.8 km / 115 mi
Stage 3 · McLaren Vale → Adelaide
187.1 km / 116 mi
From Adelaide Hills to Fleurieu coast
The route leaves Adelaide through the eastern foothills and heads into the Adelaide Hills around Norton Summit, Lobethal and Birdwood. Beyond the hills it crosses open Murraylands country to Strathalbyn, the first overnight base. This opening day is the shortest, at 168.6 km / 105 mi.
From Strathalbyn, Stage 2 travels south-west through Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor before reaching Cape Jervis and returning north to McLaren Vale. This 185.8 km / 115 mi stage includes exposed coastal riding. Allow additional time for stops and conditions.
The final 187.1 km / 116 mi stage leaves McLaren Vale through Willunga, Meadows, Macclesfield, Hahndorf and the southern Adelaide Hills before finishing in Adelaide. In total the loop covers 541.5 km / 336 mi over three riding days. Check road and weather information, allow for wildlife around dawn and dusk, and keep arrival times flexible.
Practical planning
Adelaide Hills bends, rural connectors and exposed coastal roads
Adelaide · South Australia
Adelaide Airport
Weather, road notices, wildlife, venue hours and motorcycle parking
Season planning: South Australia Tourism highlights autumn colour and spring gardens in the Adelaide Hills. Coastal wind and conditions in the hills can differ from the city; check current alerts and forecasts before departure. Plan three full riding days; Stages 2 and 3 are longer than the opening day. Confirm accommodation, campsite availability, meal service and winery booking details directly with operators. Weather and alerts.
Four reasons to take the loop
Adelaide Hills roads
Norton Summit, Lobethal and Birdwood bring linked bends, settled villages and cool upland scenery. Use marked stopping areas and allow for local traffic.
Murraylands crossing on foot
Murray Bridge is a practical regional pause before the route turns south-west toward Strathalbyn and its historic town centre.
Fleurieu coast
Goolwa, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor and Cape Jervis frame the coastal part of the loop, with sea-facing stops and changing exposure to wind.
McLaren Vale wine country old village
The route returns through Willunga and McLaren Vale, where regional produce and bookable winery experiences can extend the trip after the motorcycle is parked.
Your route, on your device
Check the protected roadbook download area for the files actually supplied before planning; this introduction does not promise additional formats. Choose a format your device or software supports, import it and compare it with the EMJ route before departure.
Compatible devices and apps
Use a GPX track or route with a compatible device or app. Import the supplied file and compare it with the EMJ map.
TomTom and route planning
For compatible TomTom devices. ITN can also be imported into MyRoute-app Routeplanner and RouteConverter; check device requirements and whether an ITN file is supplied.
Google Earth
Explore KML or compressed KMZ in Google Earth or compatible mapping software. These files do not automatically provide turn-by-turn navigation; check whether they are supplied.
- Check the protected roadbook for the actual files included with Route 136.
- Choose a format supported by your device or software and import that file.
- Compare the imported line with the EMJ map; navigation recalculation can change the intended roads.
Compatibility references: MyRoute-app import guidance · RouteConverter ITN support · Google KML/KMZ guidance
Check the whole route first
This itinerary is designed for motorcycling and may inspire a scenic drive, but the suitability of every road, access point and stop for cars has not been checked end-to-end. Verify restrictions, surface, vehicle access and parking before driving.
Questions before the journey
Where does Route 136 start and finish?
It is a loop starting and finishing in Adelaide, covering 541.5 km / 336 mi over three riding stages.
How long is each stage?
Stage 1: 168.6 km / 105 mi; Stage 2: 185.8 km / 115 mi; Stage 3: 187.1 km / 116 mi. These are route distances, not guaranteed travel times.
Where are the overnight stops?
The two intermediate overnight bases are Strathalbyn and McLaren Vale. Check accommodation and motorcycle parking directly with each property.
Can I visit a winery during the ride?
The roadbook lists verified winery experiences in McLaren Vale. Schedule tastings only after riding has ended, on a parked afternoon or a non-riding day; confirm dates, hours and bookings with the winery.
Which navigation files are supplied?
Check the protected roadbook download area for the formats actually available; this introduction does not promise ITN, KML or KMZ files.
Is this introduction free to read?
Yes. This introduction is public. The detailed roadbook is available through the free EMJ Rider account and protected route gateway.
Your next road starts here
Open the full Route 136 roadbook for the detailed Stage narratives, route maps, Rider Intelligence, campsites, food and wine stops, activities and walking routes.
Open Route 136 roadbook ↗Free EMJ Rider account · Information can change · Ride to current conditions.