Wollongong is hosting the highly anticipated and action-packed Australian Motorcycle Festival, thanks to Troy Bayliss Events. Here’s what you need to know…

Troy, the Australian Motorcycle Festival has everything in place to become an internationally renowned event. Why have you chosen Wollongong as the location?

Over the recent years manufacturers have provided positive feedback in the direction they would like to display their products; this new layout allows them to do this. We’ve also listened to patrons who critique shows for being in venues that often cost more to park or eat than the entry into the show. We believe the Australian Motorcycle Festival will tick all the boxes.

How does the Australian Motorcycle Festival differ from other motorcycling events, like the Sydney Motorcycle Show? 

Certainly, the atmosphere will be lifestyle-oriented – just like motorcycles are – with a huge range of new motorcycles, scooters, ATV’s, UTV’s E-bikes and jet skis, plus related products and services. There’ll be over 60 motorcycles available for licensed riders to test over the weekend. We actually know of people travelling from WA and Tasmania to the show to spend the weekend testing a full range of bikes to find what’s best for them. We’ll continue with live entertainment and that also includes activities such as Robbie Maddison riding the water bike. Jet ski test rides will also be available along with children’s petrol and electric bikes.

Sounds fantastic! Will this be an annual event?

Possibly, we believe it will be a big step forward to showcase the motorcycle industry to enthusiasts and the wider community. Wollongong Council and Destination Wollongong have been very supportive of the Expo and the Supercross taking place at WIN Stadium on the Saturday evening.

Where in Wollongong will it be held?

Lang Park is the event hub with all the trade display and activations, while Marine Drive will host the test ride parking and Action arena featuring the stunt riders including the Hot Wheels team. Belmore Basin will also be used for the test ride departure and return location, plus as mentioned, some of Maddo’s stunts. The Supercross on the Saturday evening is next door within WIN Stadium.

What are the main events?

The features of the show are always the manufacturer bike displays. Visitors feel relaxed when able to walk from one display to the next and able to ask multiple staff questions of what bike may best suit their needs. The products and services on display are often either on a shelf in a shop or on a website, so to be able to touch, feel, try or have direct face-to-face contact with such services as travel companies is what really makes enthusiasts and future enthusiasts enjoy the atmosphere. The list is long for live entertainment – some we haven’t released just yet, but as mentioned the test rides, stunt shows, Supercross and multiple group rides going to and from the precinct will all make for a great weekend in Wollongong.

Time to namedrop – what big names are coming to town?

To start with, every rider chasing the Supercross Championship will be onsite; Factory teams like Honda and Yamaha will be set up within the show. Visitors can meet riders such as Justin Brayton or the list of other Americans and Australians participating in the Supercross. There’s Craig Dack, Stephan Gall and this list goes on of past champions who will be around and always willing to meet fans. I have a few guests we will announce closer to the event but I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.

What are the best family attractions on the program? 

It’s the non-stop entertainment, bike displays, wheelie machines, Hot Wheels team, Stunt bikes, Maddo riding on water plus multiple activations such as the Harley Davidson Jumpstart where adults who don’t have licences can ride a motorcycle as you would on the road, changing gears and learning how to simply ride a bike all on the safety of a display. The Supercross stars will be happy to meet the kids, some Factory teams will do Factory race truck walk throughs. On Saturday night, Supercross, Freestyle Motocross, Speed & Style and the Hot Wheels off-road show will all take place between 6pm-9pm and that’s all family-friendly. Children can test ride Pee Wee’s or electric bikes all within the show, too. The Expo is designed for all ages.

Do you expect any events to sell out?

Trade displays are almost sold out now. We have been overwhelmed with the response; there are a handful of smaller sites only available.

Tell us about the displays; what brands can people expect to see?

It’s a long list but I’ll give you a few examples: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, BMW, MV Augusta, Ural, Sherco, SWM, Royal Enfield, Benelli, Super Soco, Ducati plus many more. Products like Innotesco, Dunlop, Fly Racing, EarMold, Moto Smart, Quad Lock, Rocky Creek Designs, MotorEx, Shannons Insurance, motorcycle finance companies, Rev It, Clutch Moto, Hear Link, plus many more distributors and products. Tour companies such as Nevermind Adventures, Compass Expeditions, World on Wheels and more. Sorry for all the others I haven’t mentioned… it’s a big list. A full list of exhibitors plus schedules will be released on MotoExpo.com.au one month prior to the event. It is such a massive show!

Can riders get involved?

Absolutely. Test rides will be popular and never done to this extent before. Group rides are being organised from Sydney, Canberra and the South Coast on Saturday and Sunday. Group rides will also leave and return to the precinct each day in fact I’m actually about to announce a ride that I’ll lead. Adventure tours will also leave and return from the precinct. Plus, patrons are welcome on all the activations over the weekend.

What local Wollongong businesses have you got on board?

Local companies have also confirmed participation with brands such as Clutch Moto and others. We’ve also secured the best food trucks, such as locals Two Smoking Barrels to ensure the food available onsite is quality. We’re also working in with venues outside the precinct such as the Illawarra Brewery who will host multiple functions along with many cafes.

Limited tickets are available for Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship. What kind of passes do people need to purchase for the Australian Motorcycle Festival? 

The Australian Motorcycle Festival is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday between 10am – 4pm. We’ve kept entry price at a minimum: $5 for kids (5-15 years) $10 for Seniors $15 for Adults – all single day passes. VIP and Premium Supercross Tickets also allow free entry into the festival, or if you want to go to the Supercross tickets start from $30.

Do you have any special transport arrangements in place for the crowds?

We’re running buses free of charge from Wollongong to North Wollongong Train Stations with multiple pickup points along the way and drop-off just 50 metres from the event precinct. Three dedicated motorcycle parks will be available on Saturday and Sunday: one on Marine Drive and two on Flagstaff Hill. All details will be placed on the website one month prior to the event.

What a sensational program. This will surely be Australia’s greatest motorcycle spectacular to date!

Thanks for your time, City Coast Motorcycles. The team and myself are extremely proud to bring such a premium motorcycle event to Wollongong; the Festival will generate millions of dollars into the local economy and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from all over Australia to enjoy a full weekend in the Illawarra.

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All images supplied and reproduced with permission of Troy Bayliss Events.