If you’re reading this, chances are you already know and love Rocky Trail Entertainment. You’ve probably battled it out in one of our gravity enduro, marathon, or gravel events, felt the thrill of the finish line, and shared a laugh with us out on the trails. You know our passion for getting more people out into nature on bikes, and for creating exceptional events. Well, get ready, because we’re about to take that passion to a whole new level!
For years, our incredible Rocky Trail Team has been organising around 40 races along the East Coast of Australia since 2008. We’re proud to be one of Australia’s major private mountain bike event promoters, and we’ve poured our hearts into building a vibrant mountain biking community. You might even know that our sister company, Rocky Trail Destination, has been deeply involved in the detailed design and construction management of the epic Mogo Trails over the last four years. We’ve even moved our family and businesses to Batemans Bay, and trust us, we spend every free minute riding those trails – the official home of Sea Otter Australia!
We have delivered almost two decades of work in MTB events and tourism, and their vision for the new Sea Otter Australia Festival goes far beyond just putting on a big bike race. It’s a comprehensive and ambitious plan that leverages our strengths and core values.
What is Sea Otter?
In a nutshell, Sea Otter Australia is the Southern Hemisphere’s only edition of the iconic Sea Otter cycling festival, established in California’s Monterey over 30 years ago. With Girona in Spain, Sea Otter Europe, our Festival is one of just two licensed global events. Launched in Batemans Bay and Mogo Trails, NSW, it’s a multi-day celebration of all things bike, blending world-class racing across disciplines (enduro, XC, gravel, e-bikes and more) with an expansive expo featuring the latest bikes, gear, demos, and deals.
Kicking off with a two-day Sea Otter Summit, the event brings together leaders in trail tourism, the bike industry, and government to shape the future of cycling in Australia. Then the action shifts to the multi-day festival— packed with racing, riding, and family-friendly activities—set against the backdrop of the newly built Mogo Trails, 125 km of purpose-built trails on Yuin Country.
Here is what we want to achieve:
Elevating Australian MTB on the Global Stage
International Recognition: By securing the Sea Otter Festival brand license, Rocky Trail is directly positioning Australia, and specifically Mogo Trails and the Batemans Bay and NSW South Coast region, as a world-class mountain biking destination. This isn’t just about attracting national riders; it’s about bringing in international talent, brands, and enthusiasts, putting Australia firmly on the global cycling map.
Showcasing Local Excellence: It’s an opportunity to highlight the incredible trails and the growing Australian bike industry. We believe Australia has some of the best riders and tracks in the world, and Sea Otter Australia will be the platform to finally get that reputation it deserves.
Growing the Entire Cycling Ecosystem
“Participation First”: While there will be world-class racing, the core of Sea Otter Australia, like all Rocky Trail events, is about getting more people on bikes, regardless of skill level. This “participation first” ethos will be evident in the diverse range of races and activities for all ages and abilities.
Industry Catalyst: The festival isn’t just for riders. A bustling expo area will not only excite the riding and racing community with over 150 national and global brands on show, but it will also be a platform that will forge connections among industry and people who work in the cycling space. The first Sea Otter Australia Summit will be another crucial elements of the line-up, a global gathering of outdoor industry leaders with a unique Australian perspective and flavour, tackling the challenges and innovations in their trail-based industries today and into the future.
Rocky Trail aims to create a vital networking platform for the Australian bike industry, connecting local businesses with international brands, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation.
Economic Development & Tourism: Having worked as part of the Mogo Trails development and relocating their businesses to Batemans Bay, the Founders clearly see Sea Otter Australia as a powerful economic engine. It’s about attracting thousands of visitors, creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and showcasing the region’s resilience after the bushfires. This aligns with their work with Rocky Trail Destination, which focuses on sustainable nature-based tourism.
Fostering Community and Connection
Beyond the Race: Rocky Trail has always been about building a strong community of riders who feel connected through shared experiences. Sea Otter Australia amplifies this, providing a hub where riders can connect, share stories, discover new gear, and celebrate their passion for cycling.
Inclusivity: The emphasis is on diverse race categories (from gravity to gravel, e-bikes, and kids’ races across the wide realm of riding demographics) and family-friendly activities. We want everyone to feel like they belong and have a place at the festival.
Grassroots Development: Our existing Rocky Trail Academy gets students out on trails as part of a schools-driven program. We are committed to fostering the next generation of riders and Sea Otter Australia will provide an even larger platform for this.
In essence, our vision for Sea Otter Australia is to create a transformative event that not only entertains and inspires riders but also significantly contributes to the growth and recognition of the Australian cycling industry and regional tourism, all while staying true to our core values of fun, family, integrity, family, community, inclusivity, adventure and environmental stewardship.
It’s about making bikes “bigger than ever” in Australia.
