Darwin Beer Can Regatta

Festival Location: Darwin, NT, Australia

Festival Type(s): Bizarre Festivals, Bizarre Sports Events, Beer Festivals

by © Ludo Kuipers 2009

Darwin Beer Can Regatta, Darwin, NT, Australia photo

Mindil Beach, the scene of the madcap Beer Can Regatta

A floating ambulance, made entirely from cans on a raft is a typical example of Territory humour during the annual Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach, Darwin

A impressive yacht made from an enormous pile of beer cans during the yearly Beer Can Regatta off Mindil Beach

Beer Can canoes at the start of the Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach

This canoe made from beer cans was one of the entries in the Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach

Sailing a yacht made from beer cans during the Beer Can Regatta off Mindil Beach, Darwin

A competition making sand sculptures at Mindil Beach in Darwin

Going for the finishing line in a Beer Can canoe during the annual Beer Can Regatta off Mindil Beach in Darwin

At the finishing line of the yearly Beer Can Regatta in Darwin the entrants are welcomed back to shore

For those people who don't like to get their feet wet, there is the Henley-on-Mindil, a series of races along the beach with bottomless boats

Darwin Beer Can Regatta Video

Okay so the Dutch may be French to you but I think the imagery needs no commentary. What began as the result of a recycling drive following Darwin's infamous Cyclone Tracey in 1974 has turned into one of the Top End's most touted events. Each year spectators from far and wide gather at Mindil Beach in Darwin to witness the Darwin Beer Can Regatta - an event that's lager than life. Excuse the pun, it's even left a bitter taste in my mouth.