The final stage of an intriguing race was a 90km twenty lapper around Adelaide and saw five riders including Stuart O'Grady in an early break.
With the General Classification that was led by Cameron Mayer going into the final day so tight, the escapees were not allowed to get too far and had only managed a twenty second lead before the peleton reined them in with two thirds of the stage to go.
Rabobank's Michaael Matthews took the first sprint and his team mate Jos van Emden the second.
HTC Highroad's Matt Goss had picked up points in those sprints and the time bonuses meant that he had to win the stage if he was going to win the ocre jersey. However, Team Sky had a different view and organised themselves with 3kms to go with British Champion Geraint Thomas doing plenty of work.
They picked their moment and Ben Swift was over the line first, followed by team-mate Greg Henderson, Matt Goss and Radio Shack's Robbie McEwen.
Mark Cavendish came home 130th whilst Lance Armstrong in his last international race abroad was 103rd.
Team Garmin Cervelo rider Cameron Mayer came home in 20th and that was enough to crown him as the overall race winner with Ben Swift finishing third.