If you missed this week�s Henley Royal Regatta, don�t despair. There�s another one planned for September 17, although it�s held on the other side of the world and some 1,500 kms from the nearest large body of water.

Since 1962 the annual Henley-on-Todd Regatta welcomes teams of four or eight to run along the dried-up Todd river bed of Alice Springs inside a variety of bottomless vessels � yachts, bath tubs and rowing boats. Watching the land lubbers battle it out on dry land provides a unique sporting spectacle, so much so that Australian specialist Bridge & Wickers (Tel 020 7483 6555 www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk ) now offers 14-night tours that include the �Regatta�.

Whereas the Henley-on-Thames event back in Blighty can be a bit of damp squib in the rain, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta has to be cancelled if the riverbed fills from a downpour. Nevertheless the multi-event programme attracts many local and international participants from the audience who end up paddling canoes with sand shovels through the deep coarse sand of the River Todd.

Sample Package with Bridge & Wickers (Tel 020 7483 6555 www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk ) :- Combine Australia's highlights, Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock and drop into Alice Springs for Henley on Todd. Price: 14 nights from �1,813 pp includes international and domestic flights with Qantas, return airport transfers throughout, 4 nights Rydges Jamison Sydney, 3 day 2 night camping Safari to Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, 3 nights Alice Springs Resort, 4 nights Beach Terraces apartment in Port Douglas.

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PRESS ENQUIRIES: Julia Spence or Angela Lewis Julia Spence Public Relations Tel: 01491 824524 or Mob 07802 443113 Email julia.spence@ukonline.co.uk