We Won! Sea Otter Australia Takes Out “Outstanding Visitor Experience” at the Eurobodalla Business Awards

What an absolutely unforgettable milestone! We are still on a high and completely thrilled to share that the Sea Otter Australia Festival won the award for Outstanding Visitor Experience at the Eurobodalla Business Awards!

Being recognised right here by our local community means the absolute world to us. When we secured the 10-year global license to bring this iconic brand to the Southern Hemisphere, moved our operations to Batemans Bay, and launched the inaugural event, we knew this region had the perfect natural terrain on Mogo Trails and Narooma Trails and the community heart to host a global landmark. Standing on that stage as winners in our very first year is a moment we will treasure forever.

But this trophy doesn’t just sit on our office shelf. It doesn’t just belong to our core team – it belongs to the entire village of people who believed in our vision from day one.

A Trophy That Belongs to the Community

An international-scale festival has a lot of moving parts, and our inaugural year’s success – welcoming 9,000 attendees and driving a $5.3 million economic impact into the region – is a credit to everyone who rode this wave with us:

• 🤘 To our racers and riders: Your incredible energy on the dirt is the absolute heartbeat of this festival. You are the reason we do what we do.
• 🦦 To our sponsors, exhibitors, and local businesses: Thank you for taking the leap with us and backing a brand-new event with such immense passion. From local entrepreneurs to global giants, your investment is what drives this trail-based outdoor economy and cycling industry forward.
• 🤩 To our legendary staff, crew, and 130+ volunteers: You worked tirelessly around the clock to turn a massive vision into a flawless reality. You are the muscle and soul of Rocky Trail.
• 🌊 To the Eurobodalla Shire Council team: Your hands-on, unwavering support made this all possible. Thank you for seeing the vision of Sea Otter as a premier promotional engine for regional sports tourism. We’d also like to acknowledge the support by NSW Government through the REF Incubator Funding Stream.
• 🌎 To our mentor, Frank Yohannan: A very special shout-out to the global Sea Otter Classic founder. Frank, thank you for believing in us to bring this event to this side of the world and for trusting us to carry on your incredible 35+ year international legacy.

(l-r): Bob Morris (Head of Sports), Jo Parker (Head of Events), Juliane Wisata (CEO), Mark Carpenter (Digital Campaign Manager), Martin Wisata (COO)

The Momentum is Building: What’s Next for Year Two?

Getting more people into nature on bikes is what we live for with Rocky Trail. That is exactly what Sea Otter is all about, and we are in this beautiful region for the long haul. We aren’t looking backward – we are already hard at work to make Year Two this October from 21st-25th absolutely massive.

Our Expo footprint is expanding by 25–30%, creating a powerhouse ecosystem where local operators, commercial retailers, and over 200 exhibiting Australian and International brands sit side-by-side. The industry is already buzzing with whispers of exclusive global product launches happening right here on our Batemans Bay shores, alongside the return of the 2-day Sea Otter Australia Summit for industry collaboration.

For the athletes, the competitive fields are scaling to a level that will make this a “must-race” weekend. We are locking in an action-packed race schedule with 10 competitive events utilising the premier terrain of the Mogo Trails, the official home of Sea Otter Australia, complemented by curated, shuttled social rides that unlock the rugged beauty of the Narooma Trails.

An Event for Absolutely Everyone

But the best part? You’re going to love Sea Otter on and off the bike! We are once again transforming the event hub at Hanging Rock into a world-class festival arena for the general public and visiting families, complete with jaw-dropping action sports showcases, local food and drink culture, and massive brand giveaways.

Most importantly, we want our local community right there celebrating this win with us. We are partnering with 2EC, PowerFM, and the Bay Post to distribute free 3-day Expo entry codes (a $25 value) to local residents. We are also rolling out a massive schools initiative in the first week of October, delivering free Expo entries to all 5,000 K-12 students across the Eurobodalla and their families. From our local seniors to the youngest kids hitting the skills zone, the gates are open wide.

Whether you are a sponsor scaling up your footprint or being on the grid for the first time with us, a local business welcoming new customers, an athlete chasing a podium, or a resident enjoying a free family day out, Sea Otter Australia is the place to be.

Thank you, Eurobodalla, for riding with us. This win belongs to all of us, and the best is yet to come!