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1981 Royal Visit

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

26 September – 12 October 1981


1981 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 1981 program on Trove

School children greet Her Majesty The Queen and Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser
Royal visit 1981 - WA. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A8746, KN16/10/81/168

Timeline

  • PM

    • The Queen arrives Melbourne
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • Divine Service, Scot’s Church, Melbourne

    PM

    • Lays a wreath at World War II Memorial, Shrine of Remembrance
    • Private dinner and overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • The Queen receives the Governor-General, HMY BRITANNIA

    PM

    • Attends Luncheon given by the Order of Australia Association, Leonda Restaurant, Hawthorn
    • The Queen receives the Prime Minister, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Dinner, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Attends performance by the Australian Ballet ‘Onegin’, Palais Theatre, St Kilda
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • CHOGM Audiences, HMY BRITANNIA

    PM

    • The Queen opens the Victorian Racing Museum, Caulfield Racecourse
    • Lunch and watch races, Caulfield Racecourse
    • CHOGM Audiences, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Dinner given by the Governor of Victoria and Lady Winneke, Government House Victoria
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • The Duke of Edinburgh arrives in Australia
    • CHOGM Audiences
    • The Queen receives Commonwealth Ministers of State and spouses, HMY BRITANNIA

    PM

    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Lunch, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Dinner for Heads of Delegation to the CHOGM, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Reception, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • CHOGM Audiences, HMY BRITANNIA
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)

    PM

    • The Duke of Edinburgh leaves Melbourne for overseas
    • CHOGM Audiences
    • Private dinner, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
  • AM

    • CHOGM Audiences, HMY BRITANNIA

    PM

    • The Queen receives CHOGM Officials, HMY BRITANNIA
    • Reception given by the Government of Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria
    • The Queen leaves Melbourne on HMY Britannia for Hobart
  • AM

    • The Duke of Edinburgh arrives in Australia
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Hobart
    • Ceremonial Arrival, Macquarie Wharf
    • Civic Welcome, Hobart Town Hall
    • Attend combined Schools Athletics Meeting, Domain Athletics Centre
    • Visit to Douglas Parker Rehabilitation Centre, New Town

    PM

    • Lunch, Government House Tasmania
    • Visit and Reception at Police Academy, Rokeby
    • Dinner, HMY BRITANNIA
    • State Reception given by the Government of Tasmania, Laetare Gardens, Moonah
    • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA

  • Launceston - Adelaide - Perth

    AM

    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Hobart and arrive Launceston
    • Civic Reception, Albert Hall

    PM

    • Attend National Agricultural and Pastoral Society Show, Elphin Showgrounds
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Launceston and arrive Adelaide
    • Meet RAAF personnel and dependants during transit, RAAF Base Edinburgh
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Perth
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia
  • AM

    • Investiture, Government House Western Australia
    • The Queen opens the South Terrace Additions to Freemantle Hospital, Fremantle

    PM

    • Visit to 150th Anniversary Show, Royal Agricultural Society Showgrounds
    • Lunch, Royal Agricultural Society Showgrounds
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
    • Dinner and overnight – Government House Western Australia
  • AM

    • Attend a Concert given by Western Australian School Children, Perth Concert Hall
    • Civic Reception, Council House, Perth

    PM

    • Lunch, Government House Western Australia
    • Receive members of State Executive Council, Government House Western Australia
    • Garden Party, Government House Western Australia
    • Private dinner, Government House Western Australia
    • Attend Royal Premiere of the Australian film ‘Gallipoli’, Cine Centre
    • Overnight – Government House Western Australia

     

  • AM

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

    PM

    • Civic Welcome, Adelaide Town Hall
    • Reception given by the Government of South Australia, Adelaide Festival Centre
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Meet with members of the Joint Commonwealth Societies Council in South Australia, Edmund Wright House
    • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)

    PM

    • Lunch given by the Government of South Australia for ethnic community representatives, Adelaide Country Club, North Adelaide
    • Attend South Australian Derby, Morphettville Racecourse
    • Dinner, Government House South Australia
    • Overnight – Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Attend Ecumenical Service for the Order of Australia Association, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide

    PM

    • Private dinner, Government House South Australia
  • AM

    • Ceremonial Farewell, Adelaide Airport
    • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide for overseas