We are a family on East Coast of USA with dear friends living in Canberra New South Wales. We are trying to figure out the best place to meet that is kind of midway. Also trying to keep to a modest budget. Probably more than 20 of us. Any ideas?
Fiji. Samoa. French Polynesia.
New South Wales, full of things to do and see. Why make the rendezvous strenuous for all?
Hawaii would be an approximate mid-point - but not inexpensive to visit.
Are you wanting to go somewhere other than Australia? If so, I'd suggest Indonesia (specifically Bali). It is very good vaiue has lots of accomodation for big groups. You don't specify dates, so I'll just say avoid wet season.
Canberra has only one international route, to Fiji, so that's a possibility. Otherwise they will need to transit in Sydney.
My first thought was West Coast of the US. California could be any time of the year, or Oregon and Washington April to October.
Mexico or South America would be more equi-distant.
Mexico and South America rarely have direct flights from Australia - you would require your friends to fly to the US to catch a plane to either of those. They might as well meet you at home.
Lavandula