The countdown to Sea Otter Australia is officially on, and we couldn’t be more stoked to announce that adventurer, environmental champion, and legend Annie Ford has hit the road on an epic expedition to Batemans Bay! Over the next three and a half weeks, Annie will ride trails, camp out, cross Bass Strait and meet plenty of riders along the way, before rolling into the Sea Otter Expo from 23 to 25 October. Her Subaru cars are loaded with Thule gear, and the Roof Racks Galore team is fitting it.

Brought to life alongside our Gold Sponsor Thule with their collaborators Subaru and Roof Racks Galore, the Road to Sea Otter expedition takes Annie across Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. From Hobart to Maydena, across the Spirit of Tasmania to Geelong, Torquay, Ferntree Gully, Thredbo, Jindabyne, Narooma, and finally arriving at Batemans Bay & Mogo Trails, Annie is hosting community rides, sharing stories from the asphalt and dirt, and connecting with local riders along the way.

Throughout her journey, Annie is raising awareness for Go Beyond Gas, proving that big adventures and environmental advocacy go hand in hand.

Built for the Whole Journey: Annie’s Ultimate Rig

To tackle thousands of kilometres – from ferry to trailhead – Annie told us that her setup has been dialed to perfection with help from the crew at Roof Racks Galore. Loaded up on a Subaru Trailseeker, her rig is the ultimate blueprint for an organized adventure:

• Travel & Carry: Outfitted with heavy-duty Thule Roof Bars and sleek Thule Roof Boxes to keep cargo secure and weather-proof.
• Bike Integration: Featuring the revolutionary Thule Epos bike transport system alongside smart interior bike storage solutions.
• Outdoor Adventure: Ready for camp anywhere with a Thule Roof Top Tent, ultra-durable Thule Duffle Bags, and camping gear.
• Surf & MTB Lifestyle: Custom-configured with a Thule Surfboard carrier, dedicated wet gear transport, and modular adventure storage.

Whether she’s hauling bikes over mountain passes or pulling up for a surf on the coast, Annie’s setup proves that when your gear is adventure organised, you can focus entirely on the ride ahead.

Go Big at the Expo: The Thule Experience at Sea Otter Australia

As our Gold Sponsor, Thule is pulling out all the stops for festival weekend at Batemans Bay (October 23–25, 2026)!

Here is what you can expect at the festival:

• Massive Expo Retail Showcase: Explore the full range of Thule gear in person – from bike racks and rooftop tents to travel bags and adventure storage accessories.
• Thule Basecamp (Oct 23–24, 6 PM–9 PM): Experience the ultimate evening festival hangout! Want in? We’re giving away 10 double passes to Thule Basecamp. Enter via the Sea Otter Australia website HERE (ends 15 October 2026) or drop by the Thule booth during festival weekend to score your tickets!
• Golden Ticket Giveaway: Haven’t entered yet? Entries are still open for the incredible $4999 Golden Ticket prize package! Head over to our website now to throw your name in the hat before time runs out (ends 26 October 2026).

Join Annie on the Journey

Check out the route map, find a community ride near you, and jump on board Annie’s journey as she makes her way to Batemans Bay! Track her progress across social media, roll out for a ride, and come catch up with Annie and the Thule team in person at Sea Otter Australia!

Follow Annie’s Journey: Catch the updates on socials and get ready for the biggest celebration of cycling Australia has ever seen!