August · Northern Territory · Alice Springs
Henley-on-Todd Regatta
A bottomless-boat regatta run on the dry bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs, the only regatta in the world cancelled in years when there is too much water in the river.
A bottomless-boat regatta run on the dry sand bed of the Todd River in Alice Springs every August. It is the only regatta in the world that has been cancelled in years when there was too much water in the river.
The Henley-on-Todd Regatta is a fundraising event that has been held in Alice Springs every August since 1962. It is named after the famous Henley Royal Regatta on the Thames in England, but instead of running on water, it runs on the bed of the Todd River, which is dry for almost the entire year. The event involves teams running, not rowing, in bottomless boats made of timber and PVC pipe along the dry sandy riverbed.
The regatta is the only one in the world that has had to be cancelled because there was too much water in the river. The Todd River runs after rare heavy desert rains, and on the few occasions the river has been flowing on race day, the event has had to be postponed. It is exactly the kind of bone-dry Australian humour that makes the Northern Territory tick.
Events include the Bath Tub Derby (teams pushing themed bath tubs along the riverbed), the Bo'sun's Bash (a team relay), and the Battle of the Boats which pits the Pirate Ship against the Navy ship in a water-pistol mock combat. Local Alice Springs businesses, military units, schools and tourist groups all enter teams, and the atmosphere is more carnival than competition.
The regatta runs for one Saturday in late August each year. It is free to attend and most visitors combine it with a longer Red Centre trip taking in Uluru, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Alice Springs winter (June to August) is the best time of year to visit central Australia anyway, with mild days and cold clear nights.
While you are there
