Rather, the town is hosting the largest gathering of ex-military vehicles in Australia, and about 150 tanks, gun carriers and other armoured vehicles are expected to join the event.

The Corowa Swim-In, as it is known, was first held in 1980 as a way for collectors of amphibious military vehicles to meet and trade information.

Corowa was chosen due to its river access, extensive caravan parks and huge airport, and the annual event has now grown to take in all land vehicles.

This year will also feature an assault from the sky with a replica Spitfire Mk 26B, as well as possibly a Harvard and a Kittyhawk.

Organiser Jan Thompson, who lives in Sydney and travels down annually, said despite the fact the Corowa event often slipped under the radar of the locals, it was growing rapidly.

“This is the biggest military event in the country and it’s going to get bigger,” she said.

“We’ve got people coming from all over Australia with some great vehicles.”

This year’s theme is the tracked vehicle with tanks taking front and centre in Saturday’s parade, which will start in Sanger Street at 9am.

Yesterday, those already in attendence took a run out to a nearby farm for a photo shoot, although one tank owner had an experience to forget.

“One guy had a problem before he left home, he rolled the tank as he was loading,” Ms Thompson said.

“You learn from these experiences.”

Today the vehicles will take a trip to Yackandandah and Eldorado.

The parade is on tomorrow followed by the Swap Meet at Corowa airport.

For more information, visit corowaswim-in.org