Hey everyone, Juliane here.
I’m writing this on behalf of the Sea Otter Australia Team and the Rocky Trail Crew, a few days after the very first Sea Otter Australia Festival wrapped up, and honestly, the energy in our office is still buzzing. I want to talk to you, the riders, the shredders, the gravel grinders, and the groms, the sponsors and exhibitors and our crew, about what we all together just accomplished on the Mogo Trails and in Batemans Bay.
For our leadership team, the pressure to deliver the first-ever Sea Otter in the Southern Hemisphere was immense. But seeing nearly 9,000 of you roll through the gates, seeing the sheer scale of the Expo, and watching 1,875 athletes line up for everything from the Thule Marathon to the intense Bosch e-Otter X… it didn’t just meet our expectations; it blew us away.
We didn’t just deliver a festival; we achieved our goal in building the foundation for a decade-long commitment to Australian cycling. Here’s why you, the mountain biking community, made this the biggest moment in time for Rocky Trail:
The Industry Showed Up For You
Forget the corporate talk for a minute. The fact is, over 170 brands—from the biggest global players to local innovators—chose to bring their best gear to Batemans Bay. This was the largest MTB show Australia has ever seen, with 400 industry executives, staff and reps on the ground.
Here’s the Festival from the view point of our four Gold sponsors:
Ross Wilkinson, Bosch’s Oceania Aussie and NZ Manager, summed it up best:
“The moment I walked through the gates, I was genuinely surprised – the scale, the flags, the energy. We were absolutely overrun by Friday morning!”
The Bosch’s Vice President flew all the way from Germany to check out the action in person – how good! Their demo bikes were booked solid before the weekend even hit, and the whole crew spent the week chatting, riding, and soaking up the good vibes.
This year marked a big shift for Thule in Australia, moving from a distribution model to a direct company presence, giving riders easier access to their products and a closer connection with the brand. Their stand was packed with crowd-favourites as well as the new Thule Outpace bike rack, sleek panniers, and the Reacha cargo trailer – plus a rooftop tent that had everyone stopping for a chat (and a few daydreams about road trips).
Their national Sales Manager Alex Kingston and GM Steve Edmonds said it was awesome to meet riders face-to-face, get real feedback, and see so many Thule fans already using their gear.
Victorian Muc-Off Account Manager Chris Poree and the team were stoked to be part of Sea Otter Australia’s first year. As Chris said, “sometimes we get left behind here in Aus – so to see an event of this scale is huge. It’s exciting to finally have something that can grow to the level we see overseas.”
Muc-Off came in hot with new big-bore valves, epic bargains, and their crowd-favourite wash bay, which saw 200–300 bikes roll through each day. It was such a great idea!
Marketing Manager Ashley Longshaw and the Smith Optics team came from all corners – Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, and the Central Coast – ready to make it a great experience for everyone.
Ashley said they were “blown away by the support from the local community, the riders, and the people who travelled from so far to be part of it.”
Smith nailed it with their Foot Down comp, run by ambassador Rhys Ellis and the Apogee Academy crew – a slow-motion battle of balance for all ages that had the crowd cheering. To top it off, they served up gelato to celebrate Smith’s 60th anniversary (literal scoops of fun 🍨).
On display was a sneak peek at their 2026 bike collection and the award-winning carbon DH helmets that turned plenty of heads.
Why does that matter to you? Because they were there to see YOU. They saw the demand, the passion, and the incredible atmosphere. That level of engagement confirms their confidence in the Australian market, and it means more investment, more product, and more support for the sport we all love. They put their trust in the Sea Otter Brand and we are so proud that planning for 2026 has already started. The Rocky Trail Team will now continue working on to delivering tangible growth and connection for the industry
A Win for Every Rider
Our core mission at Rocky Trail has always been about getting more people on bikes, and Sea Otter was the ultimate proof of concept:
- The Future is Now: Seeing over 500 juniors (under 19) racing meant that a quarter of our entire athlete field represents the next generation. From the School Championships to the Flipper Kids races, the stoke level was off the charts.
- Fostering Inclusivity: We were so proud to host the largest Adaptive Racer field in Australian MTB history. Almost 30 riders on course means we are actively breaking down barriers and proving that the trails are for absolutely everyone.
- Race Your Way: Whether you were smashing times in the Smith Enduro or just enjoying the flow on the Mogo Trails, our multi-discipline format ensures there is a challenge, a social ride, or a goal for every single type of rider.
More Than Just Dirt: Community Impact
The vibe was incredible, and it translated directly into meaningful impact for the Australian Cycling Industry, our visitor economy and the NSW South Coast community especially. Batemans Bay and surrounds saw record accommodation bookings and we had nearly 9,000 visitors come through, spending money and showing support for a region that has worked so hard to rebuild and create the world-class Mogo Trails.
This wasn’t just our event; it was the community’s festival, powered by 130 incredible local volunteers who were the heart and soul of the Festival Hub.
The Trail to 2026
We secured a 10-year licence because we believe in the Sea Otter values and the fit with the Australia cycling industry and community. Sea Otter Australia 2026 is confirmed for 21-25 October, and we’re already working to ensure it’s an even smoother, more exciting experience.
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for racing with us. Thank you for proving that the Australian mountain bike community is ready for this type of a world-class festival.
See you back in the dust and on the trails. The countdown to October 2026 starts now!
