The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta will return to Alice Springs on 20 August 2022 to celebrate its 60th anniversary, with tickets on sale from today.
The only dry-river boating regatta in the world will return in full force after a two-year COVID-imposed hiatus, and is set to enthral thousands of eager boat racers and spectators. The event will see teams battle it out in bottomless boats and bath tubs as they race across the red sand of the dry Todd River, around a buoy and back to the finish line.
In addition to the main Bring Your Own boat race, people paddle canoes and surf skis with sand shovels, there’s a nippers foot race with kids wearing floaties “for safety”, and the famous Battle of the Gun Boats finale complete with pirates brandishing water pistols and launching flour bombs.
This year special guests from the Todd family will be in Alice Springs for the regatta as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Overland Telegraph Line.
The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta kicks off with a parade down Todd Mall from 10.30am, with boat racing at Snow Kenna Park and Todd River from 11.30am.
This event is supported by the Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.
To buy tickets and register your boat visit
Quotes from Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby.
“The Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta is one of those very Territory events, where you need to see it to believe it. Since 1962 the regatta has only missed three years – it was cancelled in 1993 due to unusual wet weather filling up the river, and in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic.
“That means this event has been delighting people of all ages from all over the world for 60 years now, and it is well-known as Australia’s craziest sporting event.”
“It’s fantastic to see the regatta back in its usual format. Get down to the Todd River for a day full of laughs and one of the best water fights of your life!”
Quotes from Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta Spokesperson, Dominic Miller:
“For 60 years, the Rotary Henley on Todd Regatta has been entertaining people with our zany, send-up of the famous Henley on Thames Regatta.
“People from all over Australia and overseas come to enjoy this eclectic event. It’s an example of the Territory spirit, where we laugh at adversity and have lots of fun while doing it.”
Northern Territory Government
