The Henley on Todd Regatta is held every year on the Todd River in Alice Springs. It goes something like this:

1st Image courtesy Google Images. Alice Springs is built on the edge of the Todd River, the river that is simply a bed for most of the year and often a whole year with little to no flow. We are pictured in the centre of the dry Todd River bed just 2 months ago as we sat and wondered if we'd see it flow during our stay here. The locals say if you see the Todd flow you'll never leave....and many don't.

Then just a couple of days after we farewelled Dad and Faye on a plane back to Melbourne where the rivers abundantly flow, the rain came! And in seemingly no time at all, the Todd too was in abundance. Further downstream just through the Heavi Tree gap, the water is creeping over the road - In town it's in full flow - and then as quick as it come, it was gone.

Tragically, while the whole town was out enjoying the novelty, a life was lost - a young man on a lilo succumbed to the raging waters reminding us all of the dangers of nature. Take card in flood water folks, from what I saw it is amazing there were not more losses, especially children playing way to close to the edge.