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.
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Timeline
Saturday 26 September 1981
Melbourne
PM
- The Queen arrives Melbourne
- Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Sunday 27 September 1981
Melbourne
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
Monday 28 September 1981
Melbourne
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
Tuesday 29 September 1981
Melbourne
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
Wednesday 30 September 1981
Melbourne
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
Thursday 1 October 1981
Melbourne
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
Friday 2 October 1981
Melbourne
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
Saturday 3 October 1981
At Sea
Sunday 4 October 1981
At Sea
Monday 5 October 1981
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
Tuesday 6 October 1981
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
Wednesday 7 October 1981
Perth
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
Thursday 8 October 1981
Perth
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
Friday 9 October 1981
Adelaide
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
Saturday 10 October 1981
Adelaide
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
Sunday 11 October 1981
Adelaide
AM
- Attend Ecumenical Service for the Order of Australia Association, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide
PM
- Private dinner, Government House South Australia
Monday 12 October 1981
Adelaide
AM
- Ceremonial Farewell, Adelaide Airport
- The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide for overseas
Disclaimer: This is a summary of events and does not reflect the full details as described in the Royal Visit Program.