I headed down to Batemans Bay for the second edition of Sea Otter Australia, which ran from 22 to 25 October. I went more for fun than work, though I still had my camera with me. After all, the camera is all about fun for me, and I’m lucky that I get to do it for work too.
The Mogo Trails and the expo
Organisers expected more than 250 cycling and outdoor brands, 10 racing disciplines and around 10,000 visitors, up from roughly 9,000 at the first event in 2025. The Mogo Trails are the heart of the whole thing, with the expo and festival hub at Hanging Rock, plus cyclocross at Corrigans Beach and shuttles heading out to Mogo and Narooma.
The bike built out of wood
It’s always great seeing all the new and fancy products and bikes that are hitting the market. This time though, I was most impressed by the young fellow who had built his bike out of wood. He had done it as a school project and was riding it from Sydney down to Melbourne.
Trash Free Trails
One group I spent time photographing was Trash Free Trails, who were at the expo to spread the word about what they do. Trash Free Trails started in the UK in 2017, and the Aussie chapter is being driven by Tom Hutton and Dan Smith. They only met in 2025, and in the year since, they’ve teamed up with Sea Otter Australia and Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, which is pretty impressive.
Their pitch is a simple one: take your rubbish home and look after the trails you ride. They also run a free self-accreditation scheme that lets trail running and mountain bike events call themselves “Trash Free Trails Approved”. Tom and Dan came down for Sea Otter to get the name out there and rally some support for the cause.
The South Coast and the people
I always enjoy a trip down this way. The surrounding landscapes and rugged coastlines are beautiful, and the South Coast never disappoints. But the best part was the people. I caught up with plenty of friends I hadn’t seen in a long time and met some new faces too. Events like this are as much about the community as the racing.
The gallery
If you rode past me, I may have caught you. The highlights are below, and you’ll find the full set in the Sea Otter gallery. Sea Otter Australia returns on 22–24 October 2027, so I’ll see you all at the next one!
