Go West to Australia
Go West to Australia
Australia offers some of the finest cruising anywhere in the world. Explore the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, island-hop through the Whitsundays, cruise vibrant Brisbane and Moreton Bay, enjoy Sydney Harbour and its famous New Year's Eve celebrations, or continue south to Tasmania. Whether you're planning a few weeks or several months, Australia is a fantastic place to refit, explore and prepare for your next adventure.
After months exploring some of the world's most spectacular cruising grounds, your final offshore passage deserves just as much planning and support as your voyage north. Whether you're sailing from Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu or New Caledonia, we'll help you arrive in Australia safely, confidently and fully prepared.
The Go West to Australia programme has been designed to help cruisers safely and confidently complete their Pacific adventure. From weather guidance and passage planning to Australian immigration, strict biosecurity, customs and arrival procedures, we'll help you prepare every step of the way.
Watch our information webinar here.
Why Join Go West?
Crossing to Australia is a significant offshore passage and Australia's arrival requirements are among the most comprehensive in the world.
Rather than trying to piece everything together yourself, let us guide you through the process.
We'll help you:
- Cruise through the SW Pacific - our content includes all the information for Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia as well.
- Select the best weather window for your crossing.
- Understand Australia's immigration, biosecurity, customs & insurance requirements.
- Prepare your paperwork before departure.
- Connect with other vessels making the same passage.
- Enjoy ongoing support before, during and after your passage.
You'll also become part of an active community of cruisers heading in the same direction, sharing weather observations, passage experiences, destination advice and plenty of stories along the way.
Who Is This Programme For?
Cruise independently, depart when the weather suits you, and enjoy the reassurance of having an experienced support team and a community of fellow cruisers travelling the same route. Our package is great for:
- Cruising yachts and powerboats cruising to Australia.
- People wanting some great marina discounts.
- Vessels departing from Fiji, Vanuatu or New Caledonia.
- Cruisers wanting weather guidance and passage support.
- Skippers looking for help with Australian entry requirements.
- Sailors who enjoy cruising independently but value having expert advice available when needed.
- Gaining social connection with everyone else heading to Australia this season.
Why Cruisers Choose Island Cruising
For over 40 years Island Cruising has been helping yachts & powerboats cruise the South Pacific safely and confidently.
Today our Pacific Rally has become the largest cruising rally in the world, supporting more than 250 yachts and powerboats each season.
Our experienced team understands the challenges of offshore cruising because we've done it ourselves. We know the routes, the destinations, the weather, the paperwork and the practical realities of living aboard.
Our goal is simple—to help you have the best cruising adventure possible.
Your Route
Depart from wherever you finish your Pacific cruising season.
Popular departure points include:
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
- New Caledonia
Arriving into your choice of point of entry - the most popular being:
- Bundaberg
- Brisbane
- And passage planning advice for other Australian ports too.
Choose the route that suits your plans and your weather window.
Cruise independently while remaining connected with other rally participants travelling in the same direction.
Departure Timing
Choosing the right weather window is one of the most important decisions you'll make on your passage to Australia. We work with a professional meteorologist to help identify the safest departure window for the main group and provide daily weather updates while you're at sea. For those travelling independently, we're happy to recommend trusted weather routers for personalised support.
We'll help you understand:
- Seasonal weather patterns.
- Choosing the right departure window.
- Passage planning.
- Insurance requirements.
- Arrival timing.
What's Included
Before You Leave
Prepare with confidence through:
- Join early & also tap into the Pacific Rally information you need for cruising through Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia as well
- A gathering in New Caledonia in early October with briefings and social events.
- Comprehensive Australian arrival information & resources.
- Customs, biosecurity & biofouling guidance.
- Entry and clearance documentation.
- Passage planning advice including ports of arrival
- Weather training & webinar.
- Rally newsletters and updates.
- Destination information.
- Crew logistics assistance.
- Access to the Island Cruising community.
- Marine partner discounts.
During Your Passage
You'll receive ongoing support with:
- Weather updates.
- PredictWind Rally Tracker.
- Passage Guardian support.
- Advice if unexpected situations arise.
- Connection with other rally vessels.
Arriving in Australia
Australia has some of the world's strictest biosecurity and other important entry requirements.
We'll help you understand:
- Customs procedures.
- Immigration requirements.
- Biosecurity & biofouling inspections.
- Arrival ports.
- Required documentation.
- Practical passage planning & arrival advice.
Knowing what to expect before you arrive makes the whole process considerably easier.
Join and Save!
Get access to some fantastic discounts & quickly recoup your entry fee investment (special conditions apply - see our website for full details)
- 15% discount at Bundaberg Port Marina
- 10% discount at Scarborough Marina
- 5% discount at Rivergate Marina
- 10% discount at Coral Sea Marina
- 20% discount at Iluka Clarence River Marina
- 10% discount at Yachting World Marina Port Vila
What You'll Need
- A well-prepared vessel.
- Appropriate offshore safety equipment.
- Reliable communications at sea.
- Appropriate liability insurance for Australian marinas - we can help with that too
The skipper remains responsible for the safety of the vessel and crew at all times.
Entry Fee
NZD $690 per vessel (aprox USD$390 or EUR339)
Your registration includes access to all programme resources, passage support, weather guidance, documentation, updates and the Island Cruising community.
Ready to Set Sail?
Join Go West to Australia and enjoy the confidence that comes from expert guidance, comprehensive resources and a supportive community of fellow cruisers.
Questions?
We'd love to help.
Viki Moore
Rally Director
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