The Territory is ready to party

The Darwin Beer Can Regatta will be held in the Northern Territory capital on July 29 -- an event that started as an unusual by-product of the devastation caused to Darwin by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

The inaugural beer can race in 1975 was an instant success and has developed into a major event with boat entries ranging from one to 12 metres, some with fire hoses and ‘top-secret weaponry’.

Then from August 9-26 the Darwin Festival comes to town, including everything from free outdoor events to theatre, dance, music, cabaret, films, workshops, comedy and sensational cuisine.

Running for 18 nights with more than 1,000 international, national and Territory artists and cultural groups, the Darwin Festival reflects the indigenous, Asian and Pacific cultures of the region.

Meanwhile, on August 25, there is action in Alice Springs with the annual Henley-On-Todd Regatta, a day of fun where teams and individuals race ‘boats’ along the dry bed of the Todd River