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1954 Royal Visit

Royal Visit to Australia by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

3 February – 1 April 1954


1954 Royal Visit program

In partnership with the National Library, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has shared digital copies of its collection of official Royal Visit programs.

Read the 1954 program on Trove

Her Majesty The Queen disembarks a small vessel at Farm Cove
Geoff Lee, Queen Elizabeth at Farm Cove in 1954, Sydney slide, 1954, ANMM Collection Gift from Judy Lee, ANMS1318[003]

Timeline

  • AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Sydney

    PM

    • Official Call by the Governor-General and Lady Slim, s.s. Gothic
    • Official Call by the Governor of New South Wales, s.s. Gothic
    • Official Call by the Prime Minister and Dame Pattie Menzies, s.s. Gothic
    • Official Call by the Premier New South Wales, s.s. Gothic
    • Arrival including introduction and Address of Loyalty, Farm Cove
    • Wreath laying, Cenotaph, Martin Place
    • Reception of Commonwealth Accredited Press, Government House New South Wales
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales
  • AM

    • The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House New South Wales
    • Meeting of the Executive Council, Government House New South Wales

    PM

    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Lunch with representatives of Women’s Organisations, Trocadero
    • State Dinner, David Jones’
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales
  • AM

    • Visit Anzac Memorial, inspect holders of Victoria Cross and George Cross and deliver Address of Loyalty, Hyde Park

    PM

    • View assembly’s of school children, Sydney Cricket Ground, RAS Showground and Centennial Park
    • View Assembly of School Children, Concord Park
    • Visit Repatriation General Hospital, Concord
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attend tree planting, Macquarie Place
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Attend Lord Mayor’s Ball, Sydney Town Hall
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales
  • AM

    • Investiture, Government House New South Wales
    • Visit and inspection of activities, Legacy House

    PM

    • Attend races, Randwick Racecourse
    • Lunch with the Australian Jockey Club Committee, Randwick Racecourse
    • View Surf Life Saving Display, Bondi Beach
    • Government House New South Wales
    • Attend Royal Gala Performance, Tivoli Theatre
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales
  • AM

    • Attend Devine Service, St Andrew’s Cathedral

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales
    • No official engagements

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales

  • Sydney - Newcastle

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney and arrive Newcastle (en route pass through Gosford and Wyong)

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Newcastle City Hall
    • Visit gathering of ex-service personnel, Newcastle Sports Ground
    • View assembly of school children, Newcastle  Showgrounds
    • Visit BHP Steelworks, Newcastle
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Newcastle (RAAF Williamtown) and arrive Lismore
    • Overnight – Hotel Gollan, Lismore

  • Lismore - Casino - Dubbo

    AM

    • Address of Loyalty, Lismore Council Chambers

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Carrington Park, Casino
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Evans Head and arrive Dubbo
    • Address of Loyalty, Victoria Park
    • Visit to Pavilion exhibit and view ring events, Dubbo Showground
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Dubbo and arrive Sydney
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales

  • Sydney - Wollongong

    PM

    • Visit Mount Keira Ex–Service Convalescent Home, Mount Keira
    • Address of Loyalty, Wollongong Town Hall
    • Civic Luncheon with ex-servicemen and women, Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Wollongong
    • Visit assembly of school children, Wollongong Showground
    • Overnight ­– Government House New South Wales

  • Sydney - Bathurst - Lithgow - Katoomba

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney and arrive Bathurst
    • Address of Loyalty and meet with ex-servicemen and women, Bathurst Civic Centre

    PM

    • Visit assembly of school children, Bathurst Showground
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Bathurst on Royal Train and arrive Lithgow
    • Address of Loyalty, Lithgow Park
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Lithgow on Royal Train and arrive Katoomba
    • Address of Loyalty, Echo Point
    • Scenic Drive to Leura
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Leura on Royal Train and arrive Sydney
    • Overnight – Government House New South Wales

  • Sydney - Wagga Wagga - Canberra

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney and arrive Wagga Wagga

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Wagga Wagga Council Chambers
    • Visit and view Rodeo Events, Wagga Showground
    • View assembly of School Children, Bolton Park
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Wagga Wagga and arrive Canberra
    • Official Welcome, RAAF Station Canberra
    • Citizen’s Reception and Address of loyalty, Civic Centre
    • Reception and overnight – Government House
    • No Official Engagements

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House
  • AM

    • Investiture, Government House
    • Reception of Delegations from Commonwealth Territories, review of Papuan and New Guinea troops and Address of Loyalty, Government House
    • Reception of Commonwealth High Commissioners and Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Government House

    PM

    • The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House
    • Presentation of Senator and Members and their wives, Parliament House
    • Overnight – Government House
  • AM

    • Meeting of the Federal Executive Council, Government House
    • Give Address and unveil the Australian Memorial to the USA, Australian National Memorial to America

    PM

    • Wreath laying, tour and tree planting ceremonies, Australian War Memorial
    • Attend School Children’s Welcome, Manuka Oval
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Banquet, Parliament House
    • The Queen broadcasts to the people of Australia, Parliament House
    • Overnight – Government House
  • AM

    • Privy Council meeting and swearing in of Councillors, Government House
    • Attend assembly of ex-Servicemen and women Parliament House Lawns
    • The Queen presents new Colours to the Corps of Staff Cadets, Royal Military College, Duntroon

    PM

    • Garden Party, Government House
    • State Ball, Parliament House
    • Overnight – Government House

  • Canberra - Sydney

    AM

    • Official Farewell
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Canberra and arrive Sydney

    PM

    • Visit HMAS Penguin, Balmoral
    • Garden Party, Government House New South Wales
    • Official Farewell, West Circular Quay
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney on s.s. Gothic for Hobart
  • No official engagements

  • AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Hobart
    • Official call by the Governor, s.s. Gothic
    • Official Welcome, Princes Wharf, Hobart
    • Address of Loyalty, Hobart Town Hall

    PM

    • School Children’s demonstration, North Hobart Oval
    • Visit and Inspection of Hospital, Repatriation General Hospital
    • Tree planting and unveil Memorial to 99th Regiment, Anglesea Barracks
    • State Reception, Hobart City Hall
    • Overnight – Government House Tasmania
  • AM

    • Attend Divine Service, St David’s Cathedral

    PM

    • Wreath laying and tree planting and inspection of parade , Queen’s Domain
    • Overnight – Government House Tasmania
  • PM

    • The Queen opens the 5th Session of the 30th Parliament of Tasmania, Parliament House Tasmania
    • Investiture, Government House Tasmania
    • Afternoon Party, Government House Tasmania
    • Civic Ball, Hobart City Hall
    • Overnight – Government House Tasmania

  • Wynyard - Bernie - Devonport - Latrobe - Cressy

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Hobart and arrive Wynyard

    PM

    • Royal progress commences from Wynyard
    • Visit gathering of school children, West Park Oval, Burnie
    • Informal Luncheon, Council Chambers, Burnie
    • Royal Progress Burnie, Penguin, Ulverstone, Devonport
    • Address of Loyalty, Oval, Devonport
    • Afternoon Tea, Bells Parade, Latrobe
    • Royal Progress Latrobe, Deloraine, Westbury, Longford, Cressy
    • Overnight – Connorville, Cressy

  • Launceston - Melbourne

    AM

    • Address of Loyalty, Launceston Town Hall
    • View Children’s Demonstration, York Park, Launceston

    PM

    • Official Farewell, Western Junction
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Launceston and arrive Melbourne
    • Official Welcome, Melbourne Airport
    • Address of Loyalty, Town Hall, Essendon
    • Joint Address of Loyalty, Parliament House Victoria
    • Address of Loyalty, Melbourne Town Hall
    • Overnight, Government House Victoria
  • PM

    • The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House Victoria
    • Visit assembly of ex-servicemen’s and women’s organisation, Junior Legatees and war widows, Melbourne Cricket Ground
    • Ball given by the Governor of Victoria, Government House Victoria
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria

  • Melbourne - Mount Gambier - Kanawalla

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Mount Gambier

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Vansittart Park
    • The Queen plants a tree and views lakes, Marks Look-out, Lakes Area
    • Official Farewell, Mt Gambier Airport
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Mount Gambier and arrive Kanawalla
    • Address of Loyalty, Kanawalla Airport
    • Address of Loyalty, Melville Oval, Hamilton
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Kanawalla and arrive Melbourne
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria
  • PM

    • Official Luncheon, Flemington Racecourse
    • View tennis matches and present trophies, Kooyong
    • State Banquet, Exhibition Building
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria
  • AM

    • Attend Divine Service, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne

    PM

    • The Queen dedicates Additions to the Shrine of Remembrance
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria
  • PM

    • Royal Performance, National Theatre Movement, Princess Theatre
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria
  • PM

    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Luncheon given by the Combined Women’s Organisations, St. Kilda Town Hall
    • Garden Party, Government House Victoria
    • City of Melbourne Royal Ball, Exhibition Building
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria

  • Sale - Traralgon - Yallourn - Warragul - Melbourne

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Sale

    PM

    • Joint Address of Loyalty, Sale
    • Royal Train, Sale to Traralgon
    • Address of Loyalty, Traralgon Railway Station
    • Royal Train, Traralgon to Yallourn
    • Address of Loyalty, Yallourn Railway Station
    • Visit brown coal open cut workings, Yallourn
    • Royal Train, Yallourn to Warrugul
    • Address of Loyalty, Showground Warragul
    • Royal Train, Warragul to Melbourne
    • Overnight – Government House Victoria
  • AM

    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)

    PM

    • Investiture, Government House Victoria
    • View School Children’s Display Melbourne Cricket Ground
    • Visit Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne for Benalla on Royal Train
    • Dinner and overnight – Royal Train

  • Benalla - Shepparton - Tatura - Echuca - Rochester - Bendigo - Castlemaine - Maryborough Railway Station

    AM

    • Royal Progress during day, Benalla, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura, Echuca, Rochester, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough
    • The Queen and The Duke arrive Benalla
    • Address of Loyalty, Benalla Railway Station
    • Joint Address of Loyalty, Deakin Reserve, Shepparton

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Tatura Railway Station, Tatura
    • Address of Loyalty, Echuca Special Railway Platform
    • Address of Loyalty, Rochester Railway Station
    • Address of Loyalty, Upper Reserve, Bendigo
    • Address of Loyalty, Castlemaine Railway Station
    • Address of Loyalty, Maryborough Railway Station
    • Overnight – Royal Train

  • Ballarat - Geelong - Point Cook - Warburton

    AM

    • Royal Progress during day, Ballarat, Meredith, Geelong, Point Cook, Warburton
    • Address of Loyalty, Botanical Gardens, Ballarat
    • Lunch, Royal Train

    PM

    • Joint Address of Loyalty, City Hall, Geelong
    • Reception and review of Queen’s colours Parade, Point Cook
    • Overnight – O’Shannassy Chalet, Warburton
    • No Official Engagements

    PM

    • Overnight – O’Shannassy Chalet, Warburton

  • Warburton - Melbourne

    PM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Warburton and arrive Government House Victoria
    • State Reception, Exhibition Building, Melbourne

  • Melbourne - Brisbane

    AM

    • Official Farewell, Melbourne Airport
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Brisbane

    PM

    • Official Arrival, Brisbane Airport
    • Civic Welcome and Address of Loyalty, Exhibition Grounds, Brisbane
    • Wreath laying, Shrine of Remembrance
    • State Reception, Parliament House Queensland
    • Overnight – Government House Queensland
  • AM

    • Visit St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane

    PM

    • Investiture, Parliament House Queensland
    • Attend meeting of the Executive Council, Parliament House Queensland
    • Parliamentary Luncheon, Parliament House Queensland
    • View School Children’s Display, Exhibition Grounds
    • Lord Mayor’s Ball, City Hall
    • Overnight – Government House Queensland

  • Brisbane - Bundaberg - Oakey – Toowoomba - Brisbane

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Bundaberg

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Showgrounds, Bundaberg
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Bundaberg and arrive Oakey
    • Address of Loyalty, Queen’s Park, Toowoomba
    • View Assembly of School Children, Athletic Oval, Toowoomba
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Oakey and arrive Brisbane
    • Overnight – Government House Queensland

  • Brisbane - Townsville

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Townsville

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Sports Reserve Townsville
    • Visit to HMAS ANZAC
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Townsville on s.s. Gothic for Cairns
  • AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Cairns

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Parramatta Park, Cairns
    • Lunch, HMAS ANZAC
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Cairns on s.s. Gothic for the Barrier Reef

  • Barrier Reef
    • No official engagements

  • Mackay - Rockhampton

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Mackay
    • Address of Loyalty, Showgrounds, Mackay

    PM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Mackay and arrive Rockhampton
    • Address of Loyalty, City Hall, Rockhampton
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Rockhampton and arrive Brisbane
    • Overnight – Government House Queensland
    • No Official Engagements
  • AM

    • Reception given by the Women’s Organisations, City Hall, Brisbane
    • View Demonstrations by Ex-Servicemen and Women, Exhibition Grounds

    PM

    • Reception given by Governor of Queensland, Government House Queensland

  • Brisbane - Broken Hill

    AM

    • Official Farewell, Brisbane Airport
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Broken Hill

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, North Park, Broken Hill
    • Visit, Flying Doctor Base
    • The Queen makes a broadcast over the Flying Doctor network, Flying Doctor Base
    • Visit, Zinc Corporation Mine
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Broken Hill and arrive Adelaide
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Wreath laying, War Memorial
    • Address of Loyalty, Town Hall

    PM

    • Attend programme of races and Official Luncheon, Morphettville Racecourse
    • Attend Country Cricket match, Adelaide Oval
    • Reception and overnight – Government House South Australia

  • Adelaide - Whyalla - Port Lincoln - Adelaide

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Whyalla

    PM

    • Address of Loyalty, Memorial Oval
    • Drive through Hospital Grounds
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Whyalla and arrive Port Lincoln
    • Address of Loyalty, Port Lincoln Town Hall
    • View School Children’s Display, Port Lincoln Oval
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Port Lincoln and arrive Adelaide
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Attend Divine Service, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • No Official Engagements
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Inspection and presentation of Ex-Servicemen and Women, University Oval

    PM

    • The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House South Australia
    • View School Children’s Demonstration, Wayville Oval
    • State Banquet, Parliament House South Australia
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Investiture, Government House South Australia
    • Meeting of the Executive Council, Government House South Australia

    PM

    • Attend event with various Women’s Organisations, Bonython Hall
    • Lord Mayor’s Garden Party, Elder Park
    • Attend Musical Festival by South Australian Symphony Orchestra , Choirs, Bands, Wayville Oval
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia

  • Adelaide - Renmark - Mildura - Adelaide

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Renmark
    • Address of Loyalty, Renmark Oval

    PM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Renmark and arrive Mildura
    • Address of Loyalty, Mildura Airport
    • Walk through Assembly of School Children, Henderson park, Mildura
    • Address of Loyalty, Mildura City
    • Inspect Horticultural Property, Irymple
    • Address of Loyalty, Quondong Park, Red Cliffs
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Mildura and arrive Adelaide
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia

  • Adelaide - Kalgoorlie - Perth

    AM

    • Official Farewell, Adelaide Airport
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Kalgoorlie

    PM

    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Kalgoorlie Oval
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Boulder Oval
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Kalgoorlie and arrive Perth
    • Official Welcome, Perth Airport
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia
  • AM

    • Investiture, Government House Western Australia
    • Wreath laying, State War Memorial
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Perth Esplanade
    • Government House Western Australia
    • Parade of Ex-Servicemen and Women, Perth Esplanade
    • Parliamentary Dinner, Government House Western Australia
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia
  • AM

    • Attend Divine Service, St George’s Cathedral, Perth

    PM

    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia
  • PM

    • Attend Women’s Reception, University
    • Attend Garden Party, Government House Western Australia
    • View precession of Youth Organisations, Government House Western Australia
    • Attend Trotting Meeting, Gloucester Park
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia

  • Perth - Busselton – Albany - Perth

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Perth and arrive Busselton

    PM

    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Churchill Oval, Busselton
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Busselton and arrive Albany
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Centennial Oval, Albany
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Albany and arrive Perth
    • Lord Mayor’s Ball, University
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia

  • Perth - Northam - York - Perth

    PM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Perth by road and arrive Northam
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Jubilee Reserve, Northam
    • Luncheon, Town Hall, Northam
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Forrest Oval, York
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave York by road and arrive Perth
    • Official Farewell Dinner, Government House Western Australia
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia

  • Perth - Claremont - Fremantle

    AM

    • Tree planting, King’s Park
    • Visit, Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood
    • Attend Children’s Review,  Royal Showground, Claremont
    • Civic Reception and Address of Loyalty, Fremantle Oval
    • Official Farewell, Fremantle Wharf
    • The Queen makes a Farewell Broadcast to the people of Australia, s.s.Gothic
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Fremantle on s.s. Gothic for overseas