There are the obvious natural attractions in Australia's Outback - Uluru, King's Canyon, Mt Isa, The Pinnacles, The Kimberley ... But for a more 'man-made' Outback experience, plan your visit to coincide with one of these fascinating festivals.
1. Alice Springs Henley-on-Todd Regatta
In the middle of the dry, dusty Northern Territory, Alice Springs isn't particularly well known for its mighty fast-flowing rivers. But the Henley-on-Todd Regatta is a boat race with a difference. First held in 1962 as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Alice's European settlers and their twee traditions, teams in fancy dress race along the dried up Todd River bed in bottomless "boats" - anything from a bath tub to a giant hamster wheel.
August 20, henleyontodd.com.au
2. Deni Ute Muster
Got your Keith Urban tickets for his Wellington show later this year? Well then you also might want to make a date for this year's Deni Ute Muster. The guy-linered Kiwi country crooner is the headline act at Deniliquin's annual festival. Launched in 1999 to bring visitors to this small New South Wales farming town where the Ute is king, the first Muster featured a parade of 2500 vehicles, setting an official world record. This year's event will, as always, feature a ute parade, but visitors can also look forward to music (including our Keith), food, family activities and free camping included in the ticket price.
September 30-October 1, deniutemuster.com.au
