Rally from Vanuatu

by Lisa Mylchreest on 23 Jun 2006 If you are going to be sailing anywhere near Vanuatu this year and heading to Australia, there’s a rally to join for the voyage! It is the 'Port2Port 2006 Fun Ocean Yacht Rally', and it travels from Vanuatu to Bundaberg in Queensland each year. It’s conducted by the Bundaberg Yacht Club, and welcomes all travelling yachts of any nationality.

Departing from either Port Vila or Luganville, Vanuatu in late October, the yachts sail to Bundaberg to arrive the first week in November and enjoy a week of festivities at the Bundaberg Port Marina.

The rally was started in 2000, when five yachts set off to sail the rhumb line and is now in its sixth year. Farewell barbecues are held in both Luganville and Port Vila before yachts set out at various times in order to ensure their arrival in Port Bundaberg on any of the three arrival dates. THERE IS NO RACING INVOLVED, and often yachts stop over at the reefs on the way to enjoy a little R&R. It is strictly as the name implies – ‘A fun ocean passage’.

Competitions are held en route and radios schedules are of course maintained twice daily during the rally. It’s a great way to enter Australia, as you are assured of a warm and friendly welcome.

Entry is FREE. Dates for the rally are as follows: Farewell barbecue 20th October. Arrival Dates, 30th and 31st October, and 1st November. Further information can be obtained by emailing the organisers at info@bcyc.net.au