World ARC Pacific 2023: Leg 7 - Vanuatu to Australia

Since arriving in French Polynesia in early May 2023, many of the World ARC Pacific 2023 boats had left the rally heading off to different destinations. By the time we were ready to set off on Leg 7 to Mackay, there were only 7 of the 30 boats left; a select few to complete the final 1100nm passage.

The forecast was for strong Force 7/8 (28-40 knots) winds and a high sea state of 4m. Considering our options, all of the remaining skippers made the decision to delay their start times. We chose to set off on the morning of Sunday 17^th September, hoping that these stronger winds would have passed.

The first 5 days of our passage were definitely champagne sailing with winds of Force 4 (11-16 knots) and a sea state of about 1m. Escapade was loving the conditions and was comfortably sailing at 5-8 knots. We do not get many days like this and we made the most of the calm before the predicted storm.

As the rally boats had left at different times, our journey could have been quite lonely. However, we had organised to buddy boat with Tam Lin of Gloucester. Whilst not always visible by eye, they were usually on AIS and always there on the SSB. It was great to know that someone was close by and to be able to share weather and routing information.

We also had a night visit from a couple of boobies.

By day 6, we were approaching Australia and the sea became much busier with large tankers and cargo ships. We had to keep our eyes open for these, as even though we had hundreds of miles of ocean around us, it is usually the case that any ships in the area are always on course to pass right next to us! On this passage, several were within half a mile of us. That may seem like a long way off, but with boats that big, you don’t want them any closer. Thank goodness for AIS, so we could see them and more importantly they could see us!!

Finally, at 150nm miles from Australia, the stronger winds arrived. Thankfully, we had missed the worst weather, but we still experienced winds of Force 6 (22-27 knots) along with 2-3m seas. All of this coincided with our sail through Hydrographer’s and Bramble Passages in the dark. A nerve wracking experience!

The sun rose, allowing us to complete our journey in the daylight. However, the continuing strong winds were now accompanied by squalls. Mother Nature did not make it an easy final sail into Mackay.

We were so pleased to arrive in Mackay Harbour Marina. We had not only finished our 1140nm (7 days 17 hours) leg from Vanuatu, but also our voyage half way around the world.

Keen to get ashore and celebrate, we first had to check in. We berthed on the quarantine dock and waited for immigration, customs and bio security. A couple of hours later, a thorough check of the boat and foodstocks and a confiscation of our left over fruit, veg and meat and we were allowed in! We were ready for a beer, a swapping of sailing stories and a good night’s sleep.

This had been a phenomenal adventure of over 10,000nm taking us 7 months. We had visited 10 countries and our longest passage had been from Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands (3181nm in 23 days).

Thirty boats had taken part along with us with a total 212 crew from 17 different countries. What an achievement.

We cannot put into words how grateful we are for the support that we have received from the amazing team at the World Cruising Club and how lucky we are to have become a part of our new rally family with friends from all over the world .

After the final prize giving, it was an early start for sunrise at Cape Hillsborough.

The wallabies welcomed us to Australia and the beginning of our next adventure.