There are lots of crazy festivals around the world, but Australia has some of the best. Here are five alternative Australian festivals that will entertain, astound and amuse (probably in equal measure).
Tunarama
The residents of Port Lincoln live for tuna. It’s the cities main industry. The fish are so important to the town that they take center stage at the annual Tunarama. There’s a Tuna parade and even a slippery pole, but the real fun is Tuna tossing. The current record is just a bit over 37 meters (you’ll never look at a Tuna steak the same way again).
Fingal Valley Coal Shovelling
Not your classic festival, but still a lot of fun. The Fingal Valley Coal Shovelling championships is Tasmania’s version of the Ironman competition for all action bush rangers. Try your hand at coal shovelling or speed roof bolting. It’s not going to be to everyone’s taste, but the food, craft stalls and cabaret night makes it an interesting event to attend if you happen to be in the area.
Tully Golden Gumboot Festival
Living in the wettest town in Australia isn’t all bad. Every September Tully celebrates the wet weather by offering locals the chance to be crowned the Golden Gumboot King. If you think you’ve got what it takes to wear the crown, buy yourself a pair of size eight Wellington boots and get your throwing arm in shape, because the prize goes to the person who can throw a boot the furthest.
Nimbin Mardi Grass
Nimbin is famous for its alternative commune living weed smoking communities. Lacking a festival, one of the stoned residents of the town obviously realised that if you add an ‘s’ to Mardi Gras, you get Mardi Grass; and so a festival was born…
Lions Beer Regatta
There are a lot of different ways that you can reuse beer cans, but few are as imaginative or novel as Darwin’s Lions Beer Regatta. Join the festivities by either emptying beer cans or trying to build a boat from beer cans. The choice is yours.
