Forestry Corporation has applauded the tireless work of mountain bike club volunteers and event organisers for bringing the world’s largest mountain bike festival to the South Coast.

The internationally renowned Sea Otter Australia Festival making its Southern Hemisphere debut this weekend has transformed Batemans Bay and the Mogo Trails into a global destination for riders and spectators.

The inaugural five-day event is the result of years of planning, trail building and community collaboration.

Forestry Corporation was last night named the Excellence in Recreation Accessibility Winner at the 2025 Land Managers Awards during the Sea Otter Australia Summit.

Sea Otter Australia has been delivered by the Rocky Trail Group with the support of the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 athletes and up to 6,000 additional visitors.

Forestry Corporation’s Visitor Experience Manager, Brendan Grimson: 

“Sea Otter Australia highlights what can be achieved through community partnerships and permits in State Forests showcasing the region’s resilience and recovery since the 2020 Black Summer bushfires.”

“There has been considerable investment and work on State Forest mountain bike trails over the past five years here on the South Coast, and we acknowledge the tireless efforts of volunteers from the Mogo, Narooma, Eden and Nowra mountain bike clubs who have grown the region’s facilities.”

“This award is great recognition of the work that has happened in State Forests, but the local clubs are the true driving force behind this success, those volunteers who have spent Sundays in the rain building trails and facilities from the ground up into something truly special.”

Rocky Trail Entertainment Co-Founder Juliane Witsata: 

“Mountain biking is experiencing remarkable growth across NSW and the South Coast is leading the way in bringing the global Sea Otter brand to the Southern Hemisphere.”

“The Mogo Trails project was always more than just building trails, it was about creating a destination.”

“With Sea Otter Australia we now build the platform to finally get the Australian cycling scene the reputation it deserves on the global map.”

Sea Otter Australia is expected to generate around $4 million for the regional NSW Visitor Economy and organisers have secured a 10-year licensing contract for future festivals.

Rocky Trail Entertainment will also host 20 other events in NSW State Forests, over a total of 24 event days generating more than $2 million into other local and regional economies.

About Mogo Trails

Mogo Trails span 125km of purpose-built State Forest mountain bike tracks opened this year.

The network is the largest of its kind in Australia, featuring 72 trails, and was developed through a partnership led by Eurobodalla Shire Council, involving Rocky Trail Destination, Next Level MTB and Forestry Corporation.

The project was funded by $5 million from the Australian and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and $3 million in additional NSW Government funding.

For the latest news on Sea Otter Australia visit www.seaotter.au

For more on mountain bike riding in State Forests visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au