The Todd River is a normally dry river that runs through the town of
Alice Springs. The catchment area to the north of
Alice Springs covers an area of 445 km2 and covers the geographical centre of Australia. The flow runs south through
Alice Springs for a length of around 50km. Charles River is a main tributary to the Todd River.
The river rarely flows a fact that has led to a local saying that if you see the Todd flow 3 times you will stay living in
Alice Springs forever and that you will only see it flow 7 times in a lifetime.
The Todd River and its tributary were named after Charles Todd who completed the Telegraph line from
Port Augusta to
Darwin.
Alice Springs' locals have made good use of the dryness of the river bed by holding an annual Henley on Todd boat regatta, which is run using bottomless boats and running down the river's bed.