Anyone got any experience with cruising rallies leaving from Australia. Not sure where we want to go yet but the sail Noumea sounds nice. Looking in about 5-7 years.
Is it worth doing the rally vs. the cost? I am not sure the perceived security of sailing vaguely near other boats would be worth the $1500 fee., or is that fee pretty much covering costs of customs, quarantine, visas etc. and worth not having to deal with it.
Would recommend New Caledonia as a crushing destination. Plus there are no costs getting in and out of the country and the officials make you feel welcome. Plenty of small islands to visit inside the main lagoon and plenty of places to anchor up if the wind gets up a bit. Only 6 or 7 days easy sail from the East coast of Australia and if you need help picking a weather window, pay about $60 dollars to get the service of a Profession Weather Router. I've used Bob McDavitt before.
There is a New Zealand cruising company called ICA (Island Cruising Association). Check out their web site or even email John Martin. They seem to be expanding the number of Rallies they organise and I think I heard a while back they may be doing some from Australia in the future.
Keep the dream alive 
I think New Caledonia is a very logical choice for cruising to from the east coast of Australia. Sailing ex Brisbane or Bundaberg, if you pick the season right it could be beam reaching both ways. Culture is very nice there too.
