Get ready to drop in—the 2026 Rocky Trail calendar is officially live! We are the same dedicated crew that delivered the landmarkSea Otter Australia Festival, and this year we’re doubling down on what makes a Rocky Trail event unique: our “Race the Way You Ride” philosophy.
Our promise is simple — we provide the platform, but you create the experience. For us, mountain biking is more than a results sheet; it’s a lifestyle defined by the pre-race coffee, the post-ride yarns, and a deep sense of belonging to a community that lives for the dirt. While our professional race organisation, world-class timing, and genuine care for our riders are always a given, our true mission is to foster a space where everyone feels welcome.
We are fiercely committed to the grassroots growth of the sport and the sustained expansion of the industry—a vision driven by almost two decades delivering a massive portfolio of events along the East Coast and in regional Australia, which culminated in the success of our (first of many) Sea Otter Australia Festival. A huge part of what we continue to work on alongside local and global industry leaders is now to bring the best brands and tech directly to you. When you race with Rocky Trail, you’re part of a movement elevating the Australian cycling landscape. It’s an experience where you always set the pace for your own adventure.
Fox Superflow®: The Weekend Revolution
For 2026, we’ve listened to your feedback: Every Superflow is now a Weekend Event! We’ve moved away from the single-day rush (excluding our “Mania” double-headers) to give you a full Saturday and Sunday of shredding.
- Practice & Race Your Way: Your timing plate is active all weekend. Use Saturday as a session day to find your flow and bank some early runs, then come back Sunday to pin it for the podium. Of course, you can still smash all your runs in one day if that’s how you roll.
- Strategic Shredding: With 8 runs per stage and untimed climbs, you choose the vibe. Most events have 3 race stages, that’s 24 possible race runs across the weekend! Drop in for a party train with the crew or hunt each second for a podium or personal best.
- Flagship Weekends: We’re super-sizing our Canberra, Brisbane, and Redhill (Melbourne) events with massive brand displays, bike demos, and food trucks to create a true festival atmosphere.
- Shuttled Rounds & New Taster Passes: Save the legs at select venues with fully shuttled liaisons, or bring a mate along on a Taster Pass to try one timed run on each track with zero pressure. You can pick these up right at the rego tent on the day—no pre-commitment necessary. We’re all about keeping it flexible, and if they catch the racing bug after that first run, we’re happy to help you upgrade to a full entry on the spot, of course.
- Series Winner Prize Packs: For 2026 we’re launching Series Prize Packs – our sponsors and supporters will provide product prizes and vouchers, which will be distributed as part of major prize packs to the first, second and third Series winners in each category across the three main regions (NSW/ACT, QLD and VIC). The random spot prize giveaways via the results at each event will continue also.
Rocky Trail Academy: The Ultimate School Day Out
The Academy is all about fostering the next generation of riders. It’s not just about who’s fastest; it’s about a day out on the trails with friends, building independence and skills. Modeled on our Superflow®, riders tackle three stages testing Endurance, Speed, and Technical Skills. With up to five attempts per track, kids can build confidence and improve their times throughout the day.
- New for 2026 – Flexible Supervision: We’ve made it effortless for schools to join. You can choose the Traditional School Excursion led by a teacher and to make it easier for juniors to get to the start line in 2026, schools can now nominate a Parent/Volunteer Race Manager. This is a new Volunteer Race Manager option, where a nominated parent handles the supervision on the day. This means no more waiting on relief teacher availability—a dedicated parent can supervise the squad on the day as they hunt for individual medals and the Champion School Title.
- Points & Prizes: Every run earns points for the Champion School Title, with individual classifications for secondary (and some primary) students.
- Full Support: Entries are all-inclusive of AusCycling insurance and event photos, giving parents and teachers total peace of mind.
Academy events run on a Friday ahead of a Fox Superflow® across NSW, QLD and VIC with some events being stand-alone too.
The Endurance Classics return: Shimano 100 & The Willo MArathon
For those who live for long-distance and endurance racing our two main Marathon events return: to Nowra on the South Coast and to Canberra – plus, don’t forget the Marathon as part of the Sea Otter Festival in October on Mogo Trails! Racers have been raving about the course at Sea Otter, hailing it as quite possibly the best marathon course on the Australian endurance racing circuit!
The Willo Marathon (Nowra, NSW South Coast, April): A race with a massive heart. Celebrating the legacy of James Williamson, this is a community-heavy event with flowing trails and one of those bucket list events you wont want to miss – and do it again and again. We return to Currambene State Forests near Nowra NSW, where we stitch together one of the most rewarding marathon circuits you’ll ever do. The Willo is not just about riding on the limit, its about connecting with other riders, enjoying the scenery and racing the way you ride!
Shimano 100 (Canberra, September): Since 2010, mountain bikers from all over Australia have been chasing their racing goals with us at this event. This one has it all: a giant circuit with technical, fast singletrails, tough climbs, flowy descents and wide open fire roads, a true test of stamina across the capital’s best trails.
Sea Otter Australia: The Annual Pilgrimage
Mark your calendars for 21–25 October 2026. After a record-breaking inaugural year, Sea Otter Australia has officially become the annual “pilgrimage” for the Australian mountain bike community and industry.
Our 2025 debut set a massive benchmark with 9,000 attendees, 170+ brands, and an incredible Net Promoter Score of 77. It wasn’t just an event; it was an industry-defining moment that generated a $5 million boost to the visitor economy too. For 2026, we’re scaling up with more gear, more tech, and more global brand reveals, plus:
- The Full Program, Scaled Up: We are bringing back the same massive multi-discipline schedule—from Gravity and Marathon to CX, junior and e-Bike racing—delivered on a grander scale that promises more action and more competitors than ever before.
- The Industry Hub: Sea Otter is where the world’s cycling leaders meet, culminating in a five-day celebration of everything we love about bikes.
- The Festival & Expo Hub: The event village is a bike paradise designed for riders and families to hang out all day. Expect a massive lineup of bike demos from the world’s leading brands, premium food trucks, and cold drinks to keep you fueled. Get into all the off-track action with a dedicated Kids Zone, freestyle clinics, and jump comps for those looking to show off their skills. With non-stop brand activations, epic giveaways, and a vibe that’s second to none, the Hub is where the Rocky Trail community truly comes to life.
Whether you’re pinning on a number for a Fox Superflow® weekend with your crew, bringing the school squad to the Rocky Trail Academy, testing your grit at the Shimano 100 or The Willo, or prepping for the ultimate pilgrimage to Sea Otter Australia—there is a Rocky Trail adventure waiting for you.
