Cycling in nature becomes the Central Coast's newest ECO Certified adventure

This December, Rocky Trail Entertainment has been successful in joining the world-leading ECO Certification community by demonstrating best practice in sustainability and ecotourism, as part of the Central Coast's ongoing commitment as an ECO Destination.

Founded in 2008, Rocky Trail Entertainment is one of the major mountain bike events promoters in Australia - and based on the beautiful NSW Central Coast, with some incredible State Forests on their doorstep. With a strong focus on mountain biking, these local leaders are the only mountain bike events promoter in Australia actively running events across the entire annual calendar and in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT.

By achieving ECO Certification status for their business, this means that riding with Rocky Trail guarantees you're part of a genuine and authentic trail-based nature experience that looks after the environment, rather than harming it. As one of the 19 nature-based businesses championing the Central Coast’s ECO Destination journey to grow sustainable tourism in our region, we couldn't be prouder of this exciting milestone for the Rocky Trail Entertainment team! But going 'eco' is a long-term love affair, and this green tick is just the start of an ongoing journey...

The Rocky Trail founders wholeheartedly believe a connection to nature is becoming more and more important, as the pace of life gets faster. They provide an escape from everyday life and access to nature not just for athletes, but for their extended families and friends too.

Both passionate mountain bikers, founders Juliane and Martin Wisata want to utilise the network they have generated to increase environmental awareness and sustainability.

“From a passion for cycling and the appreciation of nature, Rocky Trail exists to increase trail-based activities, across Australia, by enabling and initiating the creation of sustainable whole-of-community benefits.” 

Rocky Trail Entertainment runs a wide variety of events, catering to the ‘first time between the tape’ riders to people who have spent a lifetime training for power output. Their event portfolio includes:

• cross country lap races
• marathon races
• ultra-endurance races
• gravity enduro races
• junior development program: 'Rocky Trail Academy' school comps

"We are particularly proud of our Rocky Trail Academy schools programme that get so many kids out onto the trails. It not only engage youth in healthy social and active recreation but brings a heightened appreciation of nature, the environment, self-reliance , self-learning and independence, all as part of riding a bike in the outdoors.

"Our two event managers, Jo and Bob, passionately introduced the concept with Rocky Trail in 2019 and the owners state that they are so proud that their business had the resources to foster and fund the idea. We all share a vision of fostering grass roots development at a junior level and Rocky Trail has been able to help bring the Rocky Trail Academy to life."

Rocky Trail exists for mountain bikers of a wide range of riding and racing skills and motivations, who want to race for podium positions or challenge their personal bests. The team expertly provide racing formats that deliver professional, innovative, inclusive and exciting events across major Australian states, while also championing the connective power of cycling right here on the Central Coast. All Rocky Trail events are held at already established, State- or Council-approved Mountain Bike trails.

For more information on what's on with Rocky Trail Entertainment this season, visit their website's calendar of events.

Rocky Trail Entertainment has a strict philosophy of leaving a race venue the way they found it with their Sustainability Policy, which includes:

🚵‍♀️ Sweeps of the race track to ensure no rubbish has been left behind

🚴‍♀️ Race attendees asked to use bins provided and to take all gear and equipment with them

🚵‍♀️ Re-usable signage (removed after each race and re-used)

🚴‍♀️ Transitioning to biodegradable marking tape

🚵‍♀️ Monitoring their carbon footprint

🚴‍♀️ Engaging with local communities where they host races to ensure a positive impact

🚵‍♀️ Researching cultural or heritage values within or nearby their event venues to minimise impact

By demonstrating best practice in ecotourism, these dedicated Central Coast outdoor cycling specialists now join the world-leading ECO Certified community. 

All ECO Certified businesses are measured against the global Green Destination Standard. This means Rocky Trail Entertainment now have an ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices and cultural authenticity in what they do.

Rocky Trail Entertainment are also the fourth successful Central Coast business to achieve their ECO Certification as a participant on the ECO Operator Incentive program, supported by Destination Central Coast and $500 funding from WWF-Australia since 2021, as part of our region’s wider ECO Destination program. This grows the region’s total number of ECO Certified operators to 7, with another 7 current "ECO applicants" on their journey (plus several more exciting businesses due to join in 2023!).

Huge congratulations to Rocky Trail Entertainment for promoting sustainable tourism practices on the Central Coast of New South Wales! We expect to hear more about their contribution to respectful nature-based adventure in future as their business continues to lead the way for cycling events and experiences on and off the beaten track!

Get to know more about Rocky Trail Entertainment by visiting their dedicated Love Central Coast page, and following their live action adventure posts on Instagram, and liking their Facebook page.

Discover more about ecotourism on the Central Coast by wandering over to explore our destination guide to Ecotourism.