1986 Royal Visit

Royal Visit to Australia by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh: 2–13 March 1986

1986 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 1986 program on Trove

Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh step out of a car in front of the National Naval Memorial
The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh arrive for the unveiling of National Naval Memorial Monday 3 March 1986

Timeline

Sunday 2 March 1986
Canberra

PM

  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Canberra
  • Ceremonial Arrival, Fairbairn
  • The Queen receives the Prime Minister, Government House
  • Meeting of Executive Council, Government House
  • Proclamation of the Australia Act, Government House
  • Private dinner and overnight – Government House
Monday 3 March 1986
Canberra

AM

  • Presentation of the Royal Humane Society Award, Government House
  • Order of Australia Investiture, Government House
  • Visit National Naval Memorial to commemorate 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Navy, Anzac Parade

PM

  • Lunch, Government House
  • The Queen receives members of the Constitutional Commission, Government House
  • Dinner given by the Prime Minister and Mrs Hawke, The Lodge
  • Reception given by the Australian Government, Parliament House
  • Overnight – Government House
Tuesday 4 March 1986
Canberra - Sydney

AM

  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Canberra and arrive Sydney
  • Visit Palace Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens

PM

  • Lunch, Government House New South Wales
  • Senior Citizens’ Concert, Sydney Entertainment Centre
  • State Reception given by the Premier of New South Wales and Mrs Wran, Sheraton-Wentworth Hotel
  • Private dinner and overnight – Government House New South Wales
Wednesday 5 March 1986
Sydney - Parramatta - Richmond - Melbourne

AM

  • Visit to Art Gallery New South Wales

PM

  • Travel from Sydney City to Parramatta aboard the CAPTAIN PHILLIP
  • The Queen opens Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta
  • The Queen presents the new Queen’s Colour for the Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Base, Richmond
  • Reception, Officers’ Mess, RAAF Base, Richmond
  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Richmond and arrive Melbourne
  • Private dinner and overnight – Government House Victoria
Thursday 6 March 1986
Melbourne

AM

  • Garden Party given by the Governor of Victoria and Mrs McCaughey, Government House Victoria

PM

  • State Lunch given by the Governor of Victoria and Mrs McCaughey, Government House Victoria
  • Watch the Royal Gala River Pageant, Henley Landing
  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne on HMY BRITANNIA for Western Port
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Friday 7 March 1986
Melbourne

AM

  • HMY BRITANNIA anchors of Stony Point in Western Point
  • Visit to Ballam Park Technical School, Frankston

PM

  • Lunch, HMY BRITANNIA
  • The Queen presents the new Queen’s Colour for the Shore Establishment of the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS CERBERUS
  • Garden Party, HMAS CERBERUS
  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Western Port on HMY BRITANNIA and sail for South Australia
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Saturday 8 March 1986
At Sea
Sunday 9 March 1986
Adelaide

PM

  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Adelaide disembark at Glenelg Jetty
  • Ceremonial Welcome, Glenelg
  • Tree planting, Old Gum Tree
  • The Queen opens Carrick Hill and attends Garden Party, Carrick Hill
  • Dinner given by the Governor of South Australia and Lady Dunstan, Government House South Australia
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Monday 10 March 1986
Adelaide

PM

  • Lunch, HMY BRITANNIA
  • View Sir Hans Heyson Collection and unveil a sculpture of Sir Robert Helpmann, Sir Samuel Way Building
  • Unveil statue of Catherine Helen Spence, Light Square
  • The Queen starts the Floral Clock, Brougham Gardens
  •  (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
  • Attend performance of Australian musical play ‘Boojum’ by the State Opera of South Australia, Scott Theatre
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Tuesday 11 March 1986
Adelaide

AM

  • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)

PM

  • Visit to Wayville Pavilion and inspect flower display, Wayville Showgrounds
  • Lunch, Rothman’s Theatre, Wayville Showgrounds
  • View Children’s dance and floral floats, Main Grandstand, Wayville Showgrounds
  • Visit to Aberfoyle Park High School, Aberfoyle Park
  • Private dinner, HMY BRITANNIA
  • Reception given by the South Australian Government and the City of Adelaide, Adelaide Town Hall
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Wednesday 12 March 1986
Whyalla - Adelaide

AM

  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Whyalla
  • The Queens opens the town foreshore redevelopment, Whyalla
  • Garden party, Ada Ryan Gardens, Whyalla

PM

  • Lunch, Whyalla Council Chamber
  • Visit to Yeltana Nursing Home, Whyalla
  • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
  • The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Whyalla and arrive Adelaide
  • Private dinner, HMY BRITANNIA
  • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
  • Overnight – HMY BRITANNIA
Thursday 13 March 1986
Adelaide

AM

  • (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
  • Holds Investiture Ceremony, HMY BRITANNIA
  • Visit to Port Adelaide Lighthouse, Port Adelaide
  • Inspects Colonial Guard and views Defence display, Fort Glanville

PM

  • Lunch, HMY BRITANNIA
  • 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.