Today, 13 August 2024, our client the Eurobodalla Shire Council announced the dropping of the tape to the first 70-80km of the Mogo Trails network. The build is ongoing and the staged opening approach was chosen, because “the trails need wheels on them”, as the Rocky Trail team puts it. As the crew is working toward the official opening of the full 130km of Mogo Trails in early 2025, mountain bikers can now literally be part of shaping the network by riding, exploring and supporting also the Eurobodalla region as it gears up for what’s to come.
Our Founders Juliane and Martin Wisata were out on course, distributing temporary signage across the vast Mogo State Forest for riders to start exploring the epic network. Here’s a statement to give you an insight into the vision:
A Statement by By Juliane and Martin Wisata, Founders Rocky Trail Group
It’s a surreal moment to stand here, surrounded by the raw beauty of the Eurobodalla, and witness what we’ve worked on for over three years now starting to take shape. As we drop the tape on the first 70-80 kilometers of the Mogo Trails, it feels like a dream becoming reality. A dream we’ve nurtured for years, fuelled by a shared passion for mountain biking and a vision of playing our part in transforming this region into a world-class riding destination.
“Mogo and its surrounds was a revelation,” Juliane recalls visiting first in 2017. “We saw a blank canvas with immense potential when we first held events here with Rocky Trail Entertainment. We have experienced it as a place where nature, community, and adventure could intertwine seamlessly. It was the perfect fit for our vision of a trail town – a place that we now call home and where riders of all abilities will be able to come together, explore, and immerse themselves in the local culture.”
For the build we’ve assembled a dream team for the network development and brought the know-how of the incredibly talented Marcelo and his crew at Next Level MTB on board. Their passion, skill, and shared values with Rocky Trail are the backbone of this project. Together, we’re not just constructing trails; we’re crafting an experience.
“We’re building more than just a trail network,” Martin emphasises. “We’re creating a place where people can connect with nature, challenge themselves, and find joy. A place where families can ride together, where beginners can discover their passion, and where seasoned riders can push their limits. It’s about inspiring the next generation of mountain bikers and fostering a strong, vibrant riding community.”
We’ve studied the world’s best mountain bike destinations – Rotorua, Whistler, Leogang – and learned from their successes. But Mogo Trails is different. We’re starting from scratch, with a clean slate to innovate and create something truly unique. We’re designing a network that’s not just about the ride, but about the entire experience. From the moment riders arrive, we want them to feel welcomed and excited.
Eurobodalla Shire Council’s vision and unwavering commitment to transforming the region have been instrumental in bringing the Mogo Trails to life. After the devastating Black Summer bushfires they secured vital bushfire recovery funding. To see our forests transform from ash to a natural playground in which we can all go out and experience the wonder of the Australian bush on mountain bike – that’s really special. The local Council’s dedication to strong stakeholder engagement was paramount in securing the support of Forestry Corporation, a crucial partnership that paved the way for this ambitious project. Council’s foresight in recognizing the economic and social benefits of a world-class mountain bike trail network has been the driving force behind this initiative, and we are proud to be working alongside them to create a legacy for the Eurobodalla.
This project is more than just building trails; it’s about creating a legacy. The project brief set out to create a trail centre, a network of trails varying in difficulty that would increase visitation. However, we took on the mission of creating an asset that would seamlessly fit into the Eurobodalla and the Mogo State Forest, transforming Mogo and Batemans Bay into trail towns. To contribute to this growth, our Rocky Trail businesses are now based here and we secured a 10-year contract to deliver Sea Otter Australia on the Mogo Trails. It has been a thrill to experience how the entire community has embraced our builders and mountain biking and soon, these new trail-based activities will be a core part of the area’s identity and economy.
We know the Eurobodalla and the extended NSW South Coast has the huge potential to become a major trail destination and we will do our bit to help promote it globally too. With the nearby trail network of Narooma and the Southern trails in Eden and Tathra as well as the Snowy Mountains and Canberra, we will work towards the vision of the Mogo Trails becoming the gateway to world-class mountain biking destination.
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Eurobodalla community. The Batemans Bay MTB Club has been an invaluable partner, and we can’t wait to see the local schools and young riders embrace the trails. Together, we’re building something special – a trail network that will become an integral part of the region’s identity.
We’d like to thank our Rocky Trail Destination co-founder Joe Mullan for his dedication to the project in the early days and during the critical stages of getting all approvals ticked off. We are looking forward to working together again as we transition into event planning for Sea Otter Australia.
A massive thank you to our National Event Manager Jo Parker and National Operations Manager Bob Morris at Rocky Trail Entertainment. you’ve been absolute rockstars. Your unwavering support, incredible work ethic and supporting us through the intense stages of this project has helped us so much. Your input and event experience has been pivotal in securing Sea Otter Australia for the business and this region, thank you.
To the entire extended team and Rocky Trail crews across NSW, the ACT, QLD and VIC – thank you all for contributing your enthusiasm, determination and dedication to Rocky Trail and helping us get more people out on bikes and into nature. It’s what it’s all been all about.
So as we stand here today, putting the final touches on the dropping of the tape to the first stage of the Mogo Trails, we’re filled with excitement and anticipation for what’s to come. This is just the beginning. We are still building, we are still developing, now it’s about fine-tuning, grooming, getting even more trails in for the official opening in early 2025.
The Mogo Trails journey is far from over, and we invite you to join us on this adventure. – Juliane & Martin