If Charles Darwin were to revisit his namesake city at the time
of the Beer Can Regatta, he'd reel at the drunken devolution of the
northern Australian branch of the human species. This week of unruly
events features concerts, dances, unusual contests, and the main
event: a regatta of incredible boats built entirely out of beer
cans.
Australia's most extroverted
misfits all seem to wind up in Darwin, a tropical outpost on the
north coast. The city's tattooed, brawling population hates
authority and spends much of its free time defending Darwin's
reputation as the beer-drinking capital of the world. (Darwinians
annually consume an average of 230 litres of "the amber fluid.")
During the regatta spectators line
Mindil Beach, drinking Darwin Stubbies which, at 2.25 liters (75
ounces), are the world's largest bottles of beer. Everyone cheers as
the boats wallow, flounder, and sink. The Regatta's fleet includes
20 or more canoes, speedboats, and giant Viking warships with fire
hoses. One year some adventurous participants decided to sail their
craft all the way to Singapore. Another year, a boat was launched
that was constructed of full beer cans, fresh from the
brewery. "Not fair!" other contestants cried, "The
beer must be drunk!"
On shore, there are landlubbers'
competitions like Henley-on-Mindil, a series of races along the
beach with bottomless boats. Bathing beauty contests, thong
throwing, and other wackiness rounds out the event. For sideshows,
don't miss the Rage in the Cage at Lim's Rapid Creek Hotel, or the
Gong Show at the Nightcliff Hotel on Bagot Road. At the latter,
"anything goes" on a stage protected by a chicken-wire
net. When the audience has had enough, performers are pelted with
open bottles of beer. Depraved, mate!
DATE:A Sunday in July or August, depending on the tides.
LOCATION:The Regatta takes place at Darwin's Mindil Beach.
Other events are scattered throughout the city.
CONTACT:Beer Can Regatta Assoc., GPO Box 1496, Darwin NT
0801, Tel 089-81-3837 & 089-32-1876, Fax 089-41-2965. Northern
Territory Government Tourist Bureau, 31 Smith St., Darwin, NT 0800,
Tel 089-81-6611.
or drop them a line at beercanregatta@hotmail.com
Northern
Territory
