Alice Springs Festivals, Alice Springs Resort, Northern Territory, Australia, Voyages Hotels & Resorts

Alice Springs Resort

Alice Springs Festivals

Alice Springs Festival

It could never be said that the people of Alice Springs don't know how to party. They throw some of the best in the world. And for the most part the parties are always for a worthwhile cause.

JULY - Camel Cup

Fun-filled day with various camel races held, including the Camel Cup. Plenty of food, drink, novelty events, Miss Camel Cup and other entertainment.

In 1970 the first Lions Club of Alice Springs Camel Cup was run as a challenge between two Lions Club members, Keith Mooney-Smith and Noel Fullerton. The Cup has grown to be one of the major events held in Alice Springs each year.

It's hilarious. It's crazy. But make no mistake, this is the Melbourne Cup of the outback. And it's just as spectacular. What started as a bet in a pub between two Alice Springs Lions Club mates 38 years ago has grown into a full scale carnival.

The Camel Cup is held each year in its own arena at Blatherskite Park, minutes from the town centre, where the grounds of the Central Australia Show Society take on their own party. There are belly dancers, food stalls and bars, and in between races the spectators become part of the spectacle themselves. The Rickshaw Rally sees competitors come out of the crowd to form pulling teams with ridiculous names.

The true stars of the day, of course, are the camels themselves. Especially Bazza - Camel Cup champion two years in a row. Bazza has become a local legend.

While the Camel Cup day might have its tongue firmly in cheek, the event has an important heritage of raising money. All proceeds raised at the gate go to the Lions Club of Alice Springs and a long list of worthwhile local causes - from disabled children to elderly in need.

More info: www.camelcup.com.au

SEPTEMBER - Henley-on-Todd Regatta

Henley-on-Todd is an annual event that has four essential ingredients: a dry riverbed, bottomless boats, plenty of human horsepower and a delight in the ridiculous.

Held annually the regatta started in 1962, when the idea was taken up to hold a rowing and sailing regatta in Alice Springs - even though the town was 1500kms from the nearest large body of water. This was never a problem for the folk in Alice - they went ahead with their regatta and named it the Henley-on-Todd.

The ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd is run entirely on a volunteer basis by the three Rotary Clubs based in the Alice. The entire proceeds - well over a million dollars raised over the years - are given to local, national and international humanitarian projects.

More info: www.henleyontodd.com.au