Together with her husband, Martin, Juliane Wisata shows how passion and entrepreneurial spirit can create sustainable success. She was recently honoured for her work in the areas of sports, sustainable tourism and community building. This recognition highlights the success of the vision she has realised together with Martin. Teamwork, courage and innovation can sustainably change not only companies but also communities.
Story
Award-winning entrepreneurship with IMC know-how
The couple has set a milestone with the development of a new digital platform designed to make regional destinations more accessible and better managed. This project, which aims to strengthen visitor experiences and the regional economy, has been awarded the 2024 ‘Innovate with nbn’ tourism prize. The award not only highlights their achievements in the field of mountain biking, but also their commitment to innovative solutions in tourism.
A brave step abroad
After graduating from IMC Krems with a degree in Export-oriented Management (now: International Business Management), Juliane Wisata was drawn to Australia in 2003, where she initially started her professional career in the food industry. However, together with her husband, Martin, who also graduated from IMC Krems with a degree in Tourism and Leisure Management, she ventured into self-employment in 2008. Together they founded Rocky Trail Entertainment – a bold project that is now known as the leading organiser of mountain bike events in Australia.
Under the leadership of the couple, Rocky Trail Entertainment has become a pioneer in the Australian cycling scene. The company organises hundreds of events every year and has established formats such as enduro racing in Australia. The innovative strength of the two founders is also reflected in the impressive growth figures: despite pandemic-related challenges, the number of participants in mountain bike events rose from 4,000 to over 11,000 between 2019 and 2023 – a testament to the strategic vision and commitment of the two.
In addition to organising events, Juliane and Martin founded the company Rocky Trail Destination in 2020, which specialises in developing sustainable cycling destinations. Their current highlight is the construction of the Mogo Trails, Australia’s largest mountain bike park with over 130 kilometres of trails in New South Wales. They combine sustainable tourism with regional development, creating lasting impetus for the local economy.
Rocky Trail expertise for Sea Otter Australia
Rocky Trail will host the first Australian Sea Otter Bike Festival in Batemans Bay – and the newly built Mogo Trails – from 22 to 26 October 2025. This step is a new milestone in the further expansion of Juliane and Martin’s company; they moved to the Eurobodalla region on the south coast of New South Wales with their family in order to realise this groundbreaking event on the newly built Mogo Trails.
A ten-year licence agreement was signed to establish the international Sea Otter event. Alongside the established festivals in the USA and Europe, Batemans Bay will now become the global centre of cycling in October. Sea Otter Australia will revolutionise tourism and cycling in Australia and the southern hemisphere with the largest trade fair and expo, with over twelve race and lifestyle events. With more than 120 exhibitor brands already secured, preparations are underway for thousands of riders, industry experts and visitors from Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Global perspective and academic commitment
Since 2012, Juliane and Martin have also been passing on their knowledge as lecturers in entrepreneurship at IMC Krems and at its international partner locations in Baku and Sanya. In doing so, they inspire students to pursue their own entrepreneurial paths and remain closely connected to their alma mater.
The story of Juliane and Martin Wisata is proof that shared entrepreneurial spirit and determination can cross borders – an inspiration for anyone pursuing big goals.
After more than 20 years in Australia, Juliane says she has now found a new home in Batemans Bay with Martin and their nine-year-old son Cosmo. Building the Mogo Trails has been the biggest challenge of their career so far.
“The fact that we can ride together as a family on the trails that we designed and created shapes our lives every day. Sea Otter Australia will be the culmination of everything we have built with our Rocky Trail Group over the past 16 years. It is the result of the experiences we have gained throughout our careers, which began at IMC Krems. I am incredibly proud, because ultimately, my goal is to enable more people to access nature and the trails,” Juliane Wisata concludes.
To the International Business Management bachelor degree programme
To the Tourism and Leisure Management bachelor degree programme