Friday evening World ARC crews enjoyed meeting members of the Mackay Yacht Club over a few cold beers at the club bar and restaurant here in Mackay Marina. It was a great chance for participants to share some stories of their adventures so far and meet the new boat joiners.
Yesterday crews woke early for a sunrise tour to Cape Hillsborough for the chance to see native Wallabies and Kangaroos on the beach. The early risers was well rewarded with a beautiful sunrise and the experience of meeting these uniquely Australian animals close up and in the wild.
The World ARC Welcome Party and Prize Giving event was held last night at the Clarion Hotel in the Mackay Marina Village. Crews enjoyed few welcome drinks in the poolside bar, before prize giving and dinner.
On the Leg 7, Vanuatu to Mackay, the first multihull was Paradise Found and the first monohull was Mearra Nieida, followed by Wishanger II and Pentagram.
Certificates were also awarded to those participants who have crossed the entire Pacific Ocean. It was a fun awards ceremony with each boat receiving a stuffed toy platypus and a bottle of wine.
Rally participants said farewell to the crews of Solo, Kristal, Toujours Belle, Pentagram, and Meermowe, and welcomed the new boats joining the rally Katarina, BlueFlyer, Trillium and Odysseus I.
After the awards, crews sat down to a lovely and typically Aussie Sunday evening meal with barbequed meats, prawns, crabs, local vegetables and salads.
Tomorrow the fleet leaves Mackay for a four weeks cruising period, next destination Darwin!