A regatta like no other, with boats built entirely out of beer cans.

This annual family event is rapidly becoming a spectacular for all who line Mindil Beach and cheer on the home-made boats of cans as they flounder and sink in the shallows. The fleet of competitors includes all kinds of boats, some with fire hoses and top secret weaponry.

The Darwin Beer Can Regatta started as an unusual by-product of the devastation caused to Darwin by Cyclone Tracy in 1974, when a Darwin citizen, Lutz Frankensfeld, suggested a boat race with all boats fabricated from beer cans in order to clear up some empty beer cans, and at the same time have a day of fun.

The inaugural beer can race in 1975 was an instant success, and has developed into a major event with boat entries ranging from 1 to 12 metres.

Entry is by donation which is used for funding of Lion Club projects.