Half Way Round the World

World ARC 2025-26: Vanuatu to Mackay

On Thursday 17 July, 23 yachts left Port Vila at eleven o'clock local time to sail on their last crossing of the Pacific Ocean. 1150NM from Port Vila, around the North of New Caledonia, passing Melish and Marion Reef along the way, through the Great Barrier Reef and on to Mackay.

With their arrival in the Australian port, the sailors have not only completed their crossing of the Pacific Ocean – they have sailed half the way around the world!

They were cheerful days in Mackay. The passage went well for everybody, described as: “ Champagne sailing”, “dream conditions” and “a pure joy!”. Seeing jumping and breaching whales was the grand finale of the successful crossing.

After a few days' rest, the sailors got up early to get the 04:30 bus for the WorldARC tour to catch a glimpse of the wallabies and kangaroos that come to the beach to feed on mangrove seed pods washed up by the tide.

The most picturesque (and only)  time to see these marsupials on the beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park is at sunrise.  

The Farewell dinner and prize giving on Sunday evening was another highlight and a highly enjoyable evening!

It was a night of fun, laughter, memories, applause, music and singing as the fleet celebrated the half way stage of the rally. Every boat was awarded a Pacific crossing certificate, and each winner out of the three classes was awarded with a small prize!

Congratulations to the Winners of

Class A: Saltair, Genestho and Pat Bon

Class B: Magaia, Bluewater Mooney and Gertha 5

Multihull Division: Pure Joy, Mulan and Freya

Our ‘Spirit of the ARC’ prize was awarded to Zena and Jason from Pure Joy and Nauti Girl, who organised a fundraising in Vanuatu to buy and supply three guitars and a dozen footballs to the communities on Tanna Island and Eromango.

It was an emotional evening as well. Three yachts, Genestho, One Distraction and Nakula left the rally in Mackay to continue their own adventures. Yellow shirt Paul also left the Rally in Mackay to return to sailing - for the second half of the rally, Rachael will join Lesley as the ytellow shirt team.

It was a great time we spent together, and we hope that our wakes cross again soon!