1954 royal tour aus

The 1954 Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister Menzies, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Farm Cove, Sydney, 3 February 1954

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II set foot on Australia soil for the first time on 3 February 1954.

To find out how you may reuse this content, please check the copyright status in the catalogue record .

Photograph taken prior to 1955, copyright no longer applies.

  Queen Elizabeth II was the first, and to date, the only reigning British monarch to visit Australia. When the 27 year old sailed into Sydney harbour on 3 February 1954, she practically stopped the nation. Her arrival at Farm Cove, where Captain Arthur Phillip raised the British flag 165 years before her, attracted an estimated 1 million onlookers in a city with a population of 1,863,161 (1954 ABS Census). Those who couldn’t be there in person could listen to ABC radio’s nation-wide coverage of the historic occasion. Amalgamated Wireless Australia (AWA) helped make history when it filmed the Queen setting foot on Australian soil and relayed the footage to the Spastic Centre in Mosman – thus the royal arrival became the first televised event in Australia. 

The 1954 royal tour was a much-anticipated event. Planning had commenced in 1949 for King George VI (Elizabeth’s father) to visit Australia and New Zealand. However, a coded telegram received in October 1951 relayed the disappointing news that due to the king’s ill health and an impending operation, he would be unable to visit the antipodes as planned. Instead, the then Princess Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, would come in his place. Her Royal Highness was at a safari lodge in Kenya, en route to Australia in 1952, when she received the news of her father’s death. She made haste back to England and by the time she came to Australia in 1954, the princess was our queen.

At the time, the royal tour of 1954 was the single biggest event ever planned in Australia. It was organised in the days before email, facsimile and mobile telephones. Official printed programs stated that all those responsible for an event were to synchronise their watches with the A.B.C. time signals at 9am each day. During the Queen’s eight-week tour of Australia, the only glitch was an outbreak of poliomyelitis in Western Australia, which saw the Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, intervene to insist that the royal party sleep on SS Gothic and eat only food prepared on the ship (Ferrier, 1954, n.p.). 

The fierce February sun did not prevent Her Majesty from wearing her elbow length white gloves and decorative hats. Though the Australian sunlight is glaringly bright compared to England, she was rarely seen in sunglasses.

The royals visited 57 towns and cities during the 58 days they spent in Australia. They traversed the country by plane, train, ship and car from Cairns in the north, Broken Hill in the west to Hobart in the south. Their children, Prince Charles (aged five years) and Princess Anne (aged three years) did not accompany them on the exhausting trip.

During their ten days in New South Wales, they attended 28 major programs, with events scheduled for the morning, afternoon and evening.  Queen Elizabeth’s days varied from the cultural – watching a surf life-saving demonstration at Bondi Beach; to the civic – addressing 107,000 school children at three outdoor venues; to the constitutional – opening a session of parliament. The crowds were tumultuous, the press was effusive in its praise and every street the royals paraded along was festooned with decorations. 

The Library holds an extensive collection of original photographs of the visit which capture many official and candid moments. Below is a small selection - you can view three albums of photographs through our catalogue .  Dr George Bell donated a collection of photographs from the Queen's visit to Broken Hill, which have also been digitised.

Collection of photographs of the Royal Tour, 1954

The State Library’s collections relating to the 1954 royal tour include invitations, entry tickets, commemorative school exercise book covers, orders of service, menus and timetables. These ephemeral items would usually be thrown away after the event. They show the detailed planning that went into the royal visit, which aimed to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see ‘their queen’. 

Since her first visit in 1954, Queen Elizabeth II has visited Australia another 15 times. 

The Library would like to thank volunteer Anne Munro for typing all the original hand-written captions for the photographs.

Ephemera items from the Royal Tour, 1954

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SNAPSHOT: The 1954 Royal Tour

Princess Elizabeth was en route to Australia, via Kenya, when she received news in February 1952 of the premature death of her father, 56-year-old King George VI. She hastily abandoned her trip but visited Australia two years later as the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, the first and only reigning British monarch ever to do so. That 1954 visit was the first of 16 royal tours by the Queen to Australia but was, by every measure, the most successful – and resoundingly so. Royal fever gripped the postwar nation, which seemed to fall, en masse, under the spell of the young queen. During the two-month sojourn it’s estimated that more than 7 million Australians – 70 per cent of the population – attempted to see Elizabeth and her consort, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

In Sydney, 1 million residents reportedly thronged the harbour foreshore and lined the city streets, waiting for hours just to glimpse the royal couple following their arrival on 3 February 1954 at Farm Cove aboard the royal barge.

During the following 58 days, the pair visited 57 towns and cities across the country on an exhausting program of public engagements and community and sporting events. They saw natural wonders such as the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef, and watched surf carnivals and gymnastics displays. They met Indigenous leaders, war veterans, farmers and factory workers and hordes of schoolchildren. Australia presented itself as a confident and vigorous young nation with seemingly boundless resources. It was forward-looking while still valuing its strong bonds with the motherland.

It wasn’t until the Queen’s next tour, in 1963, that Prime Minister Menzies famously quoted the poetic phrase “I did but see her passing by, and yet I love her till I die”. But he was already feeling effusive in 1954, and avowed his most profound and passionate feelings of loyalty and devotion to the throne in an article in The Sydney Morning Herald .

Formal celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – 70 years on the throne – the first British monarch to reach such a milestone, will take place in the UK across the long weekend 2–5 June 2022. Among the events and celebrations here in Australia, the Queen’s Jubilee Program is providing up to $15.1 million in grants to eligible groups and organisations for community-based tree-planting programs.

For more information, see The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 .

All photographs by Max Dupain/Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales

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The 1954 royal tour

A royal visitor.

On 3 February 1954, the steamship Gothic arrived in Sydney Harbour, carrying the first reigning monarch to visit Australia – Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip. In just under 2 months, the royal couple would travel around Australia by train, car, and plane. They would visit almost every capital city except Darwin, and 40 country towns. Among the revellers, children turned up en masse to view the royal couple, and some even participated in official events. 

A tremendous task

In Sydney, an estimated 120,000 children and their teachers gathered in Centennial Park, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the Sydney Showgrounds. The Herald reported transporting the students took 80 trains, 209 trams and 214 busses. At the SCG, students were organised into concentric circles so that the royal couple’s Land Rover could pass within 24 feet (7.3 metres) of most of the children. The children were issued coloured streamers attached to short sticks called ‘wavers,’ which came to life at 11:40 am when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh entered the cricket grounds. An enthusiastic roar accompanied the rush of excitement.  Similar gatherings took place in other large cities. For example, a children’s pageant was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The pageant included children from 6 to 18 years of age, marching, performing callisthenics, and maypole dancing while wearing colourful costumes. As the grand finale, the children formed the word ‘WELCOME’, and the Queen and Duke boarded a Land Rover so that they could drive among the performers. At this point, some exuberant children broke free of their ranks, swamping the royal car and briefly stalling its progress. Finally, the amused Duke ordered them to clear the way.

'OUR QUEEN'

The formation of words by children in tableaux performances occurred across Australia. In Brisbane and outside of Parliament House, they formed the phrase ‘OUR QUEEN.’ At the Wayville Showgrounds in Adelaide, they formed the word ‘LOYALTY’ and at Manuka Oval in Canberra, ‘WELCOME.’  Throngs of people, keen to catch a glimpse of the nation’s sovereign, greeted the royal couple everywhere they travelled. Their journey and activities were meticulously recorded and compiled by film director Colin Dean and his team. The footage formed the first colour full-length feature film made in Australia. Included is a section devoted to the children’s contribution to the celebrations, capturing the young audience's enthusiasm. 

The Queen in Australia (feature film)

The aftermath

While the effort to put on these displays was enormous, time spent with the children was extremely short. Although the royal couple were only in Canberra for 4 full days, the Queen's schedule was unrelenting. It included opening Parliament, unveiling the Australian-American Memorial, opening Union House at the Australian National University, and laying a wreath and planting a tree at the Australian War Memorial. They also attended Manuka Oval for the children’s welcome, only to depart 30 minutes later.  Records held by the National Archives include detailed communications, maps, and diagrams used in the organisation of royal events. The day was likely exhausting for the young participants, with many students arriving at the events hours before they were due to commence. A photo from our collection shows exhausted muddy revellers, slightly dishevelled yet still clutching and waving their commemorative flags.   

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1954 Royal Visit

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

• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Sydney
• 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
• The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House New South Wales
• Meeting of the Executive Council, Government House New South Wales
• (Separate program for The Duke of Edinburgh)
• Lunch with representatives of Women’s Organisations, Trocadero
• State Dinner, David Jones’
• Visit Anzac Memorial, inspect holders of Victoria Cross and George Cross and deliver Address of Loyalty, Hyde Park
• 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
• Attend Lord Mayor’s Ball, Sydney Town Hall
• Investiture, Government House New South Wales
• Visit and inspection of activities, Legacy House
• 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
• Attend Devine Service, St Andrew’s Cathedral
• No official engagements
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney and arrive Newcastle (en route pass through Gosford and Wyong)
• 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
• Address of Loyalty, Lismore Council Chambers
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Sydney and arrive Wagga Wagga
• 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
• Overnight – Government House
• 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
• The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House
• Presentation of Senator and Members and their wives, Parliament House
• Meeting of the Federal Executive Council, Government House
• Give Address and unveil the Australian Memorial to the USA, Australian National Memorial to America
• Wreath laying, tour and tree planting ceremonies, Australian War Memorial
• Attend School Children’s Welcome, Manuka Oval
• Banquet, Parliament House
• The Queen broadcasts to the people of Australia, Parliament House
• 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
• Garden Party, Government House
• State Ball, Parliament House
• Official Farewell
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Canberra and arrive Sydney
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Attend Divine Service, St David’s Cathedral
• Wreath laying and tree planting and inspection of parade , Queen’s Domain
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Hobart and arrive Wynyard
• 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
• Address of Loyalty, Launceston Town Hall
• View Children’s Demonstration, York Park, Launceston
• 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
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Mount Gambier
• 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
• Official Luncheon, Flemington Racecourse
• View tennis matches and present trophies, Kooyong
• State Banquet, Exhibition Building
• Attend Divine Service, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne
• The Queen dedicates Additions to the Shrine of Remembrance
• Royal Performance, National Theatre Movement, Princess Theatre
• Luncheon given by the Combined Women’s Organisations, St. Kilda Town Hall
• Garden Party, Government House Victoria
• City of Melbourne Royal Ball, Exhibition Building
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Sale
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Royal Progress during day, Ballarat, Meredith, Geelong, Point Cook, Warburton
• Address of Loyalty, Botanical Gardens, Ballarat
• Lunch, Royal Train
• Joint Address of Loyalty, City Hall, Geelong
• Reception and review of Queen’s colours Parade, Point Cook
• Overnight – O’Shannassy Chalet, Warburton
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Warburton and arrive Government House Victoria
• State Reception, Exhibition Building, Melbourne
• Official Farewell, Melbourne Airport
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Melbourne and arrive Brisbane
• 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
• Visit St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Bundaberg
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Townsville
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Cairns
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive Mackay
• Address of Loyalty, Showgrounds, Mackay
• 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
• Reception given by the Women’s Organisations, City Hall, Brisbane
• View Demonstrations by Ex-Servicemen and Women, Exhibition Grounds
• Reception given by Governor of Queensland, Government House Queensland
• Official Farewell, Brisbane Airport
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Brisbane and arrive Broken Hill
• 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
• Wreath laying, War Memorial
• Address of Loyalty, Town Hall
• Attend programme of races and Official Luncheon, Morphettville Racecourse
• Attend Country Cricket match, Adelaide Oval
• Reception and overnight – Government House South Australia
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Whyalla
• 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
• Attend Divine Service, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide
• Inspection and presentation of Ex-Servicemen and Women, University Oval
• The Queen opens Parliament, Parliament House South Australia
• View School Children’s Demonstration, Wayville Oval
• State Banquet, Parliament House South Australia
• Investiture, Government House South Australia
• Meeting of the Executive Council, Government House South Australia
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Renmark
• Address of Loyalty, Renmark Oval
• 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
• Official Farewell, Adelaide Airport
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Adelaide and arrive Kalgoorlie
• 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
• 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
• Attend Divine Service, St George’s Cathedral, Perth
• 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
• The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Perth and arrive Busselton
• 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
• 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
• 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

Disclaimer: This is a summary of events and does not reflect the full details as described in the Royal Visit Program.

The Royal Daimler Project

Help tell the Australian story

Remembering the 1954 Royal Tour

by Catrina Vignando on 18 February, 2014

In February, 60 years ago, HRH, Queen Elizabeth II, came to Australia. It was 1954, a mere five months after her coronation and the first tour by a reigning monarch.

The Queen’s Royal visit was a two-month journey across Australia. An estimated 75% of Australia’s population were able to catch a glimpse of the young Queen as she travelled to 57 cities including regional centres such as Cairns, Lismore, Shepparton, Whyalla and Kalgoorlie.

Her extensive itinerary was aided by the use of very sturdy vehicles that included six Royal Daimlers. These vehicles were specifically commissioned for the Australian Tour. One of these cars, a 1948 Daimler landaulette, now resides at the National Museum of Australia.

As part of the 60th anniversary of the Royal tour, the National Museum has embarked on the Royal Daimler Project restoring this car to its former glory.

Celebrate this anniversary of the Royal visit by helping us to make the Royal Daimler fit for a Queen again.

We need your help to raise $60,000 towards the conservation of the vehicle. To make your donation on our website

Watch out for more Royal gems as over the next few months we will feature more Royal memorabilia from the National Historical Collection at the NMA.

We would love your thoughts and comments on Australia’s Royal romance. Are we just as taken by the Royals as we were in 1954?

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Category : 1954 royal tour of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II

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The Bold, Beautiful and Bizarre World of Royal Millinery

1954 Australian Tour: Arrival In Sydney

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Royal Hats (@royalhatsblog)

On this tour, the Queen would travel 10,000 miles by air on 33 flights, 2000 miles by road on 207 trips, and visit not only all state and territory capitals except Darwin, but an additional 70 country towns as well. By all accounts, this was a momentous tour and over the next 57 days, we’re going to follow it (and its marvelous hats!) to its April 1, 1954 conclusion from our vantage point today, some 67 years later.

Images from Getty as indicated

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18 thoughts on “ 1954 Australian Tour: Arrival In Sydney ”

Following the tour is a lovely idea, HatQueen, and Gwyneth, how lovely to hear your personal experience!

This is a fascinating hat. Together with the Queen’s dress, it looks like the epitome of a 1950s style. However, the hat itself I think could easily be worn today. It reminds me very much of similar small-scale designs of recent times, worn mainly by Mathilde and perhaps Maxima, which feature close fitting decorative elements like this.

Though clearly from a different era, it oozes a summer feel, light and airy. It completes the look. As it looks rather fragile I doubt this hat will have survived.

I have only recently been reading about this phenomenally successful tour in Robert Hardman’s book “Queen of the World”. Apparently King George VI twice planned to visit Australia, after the end of WW2, but was prevented, once right at the last minute, by severe illness. Princess Elizabeth might have gone instead, but was prevented by the two pregnancies which quickly followed her wedding in 1947. Then Princess Elizabeth actually set off in the King’s stead in 1951, but never made it beyond Kenya as she had to go home on her sudden accession to the throne. This made the tour much anticipated. The fact that she was a good looking young woman with a handsome husband, didn’t detract from the huge interest shown in her and everything she wore when she finally arrived.

I bought and read that book right after it came out. It is so good, and gave me a lot of new insights and information, especially about the Commonwealth. It was also a helpful reminder of what really went on with Thatcher and South Africa when I watched season 4 of “The Crown”. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read about HM.

Just ordered the book from Amazon. Thank you, Jake.

Dear Hat Queen. I have learned so much from you about Royal millinery and appreciate your knowledge and the respect you show towards the people who wear the hats, the hat makers and those who comment. I haven’t commented before but the event featured here was one of the most memorable days of my childhood. Along with my parents and sister I was on one of the yachts you can see in the background of the top photo; lined up to create a ceremonial avenue for the royal progress from their “yacht” to first steps on Australian soil. The Queen wore many small hats on this tour – each eagerly analysed by my fashion-forward mother and her friends. I was disappointed HM wasn’t wearing a crown! My own favourite hat of this tour was worn on her last day in Sydney so I look forward to the post about that day. Thank you and long may you continue these fascinating posts.

Gwyneth, what an extraordinary moment in time you were able to experience! I love that you were a part of this occasion and remember the hats The Queen wore. Thank you for sharing your story. As for this calot, I think it’s so delicate and beautiful and looks so perfect with her summer dress.

Gwyneth- When the idea to delve more deeply into this tour popped into my head, I secretly hoped there would be some people who would come forward and share their own, personal memories of it. Your story today does this so wonderfully. Thank you so much for sharing!

I’m so glad you’re enjoying Royal Hats. It’s a never ending learning experience for me, too!

What an amazing photo – certainly more chaotic than my recollection. This discussion has revived such happy memories for me. Our day had started very early when we joined a convoy of boats heading down harbour to welcome the royal yacht SS Gothic as she came through the heads at first light. We then made our way to our designated station in the two lines of boats that stretched from Gothic to the landing pontoon. Looking at these images now I realise we were part of a security plan to keep a clear passage for the royal barge. Once the excitement was over we sailed to a quiet bay for an alfresco lunch of sandwiches and home made apple pie. After the best fireworks I have ever seen (aren’t childhood memories wonderful) two exhausted children and their very tired parents arrived home about midnight. Quite a day!

Gwyneth, your personal story is amazing – thanks for sharing it with us. My favorite 1954 Royal Tour hat was worn on February 18th to a Sydney garden party, just prior to HM’s departure for Tasmania; could we be thinking of the same hat? I have tried several times in vain to locate a color photo of it. Did your parents take any photos of the Royal visit? There is also an amusing story attached to this particular hat. The SS Gothic (the Royal Yacht) unfortunately had a sad ending. Following a huge fire in August of 1968 while out at sea, it limped back to Wellington, NZ for repairs. Then, after making the long trek back to Britain, it was eventually scrapped. Youtube has a wonderful color documentary film (68 minutes long) about the Royal Tour, and aerial shots of Sydney Harbor show just how massive the Royal Yacht actually was. You may be in the film!

Jimbo. We are thinking of the same hat! I too have searched for a colour photo without success. Some time ago I found one that showed the hat’s distinctive design feature but I can’t find it now and suspect it may have been digitally enhanced. Our surviving photos from that day are happy snaps of a family having fun on a special day. The royal barge went by so quickly and we were all so excited that none of us managed to take a successful photo of our royal visitors. I always look forward to your comments on the here and I’m in awe of your research and archiving skills. Good luck with the search.

We’ll certainly look at this famous hat! I’m still researching when it was worn. Unfortunately, I’ve found most Getty photos of this tour are incorrectly dated. Thankfully, the National Museum of Australia has a full (and correct) itinerary detailed at the bottom of this link .

What a wonderful experience and how lucky you were!

Wow, what an experience! Thanks for sharing your memories, Gwyneth.

So good to read your personal memories! I too have memories of that time when the Queen was such a leading lady of fashion for a generation coming out of the war. She was never too far from a conversation as we followed her visits with real admiration and loyal fascination. Those ladies in waiting always caught my eye and I was envious of their close proximity.

How nice to have been able to be nearby and see the details of her costume. I must say that petals were perfect for a young Queen. Greeting her Majesty with a posy and a little curtsy! ‘Of such stuff as dreams are made on’ ?!

OMG she is gorgeous! Adorable hat.

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A Royal occasion (RAAF Record No.3)

Newsreel produced by the Directorate of Public Relations RAAF covering the important role played by the RAAF in the 1954 Royal Tour of Australia by HM Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. Tasman Sea, aerial shots of RAAF Lincoln bombers fying over the Royal Yacht "Gothic" in the Tasman Sea. Sydney, night scenes of light displays for Royal visit. RAAF Marine Section craft marshalling civilian craft in Sydney Harbour gathered to welcome the Royals. "Gothic" enters the Heads and anchors at Athol Blight. A fly past of Vampires jets over Sydney Harbour. The Queen opens NSW Parliament. RAAF Williamtown the royals are met by Group Captain Davis, the CO of RAAF Williamtown. RAAF Fairbairn royals arrive by RAAF Dakota and are greeted by Wing Commander Keith Heneck CO RAAF Canberra. The Queen inspects the guard of Honour. Parliament House, Canberra, the Queen arrives to open Parliament. March past at Parliament House and fly past by RAAF Canberra, Lincoln, Mustangs and Neptune aircraft. Melbourne, leaving Government House. The Royal Dakota and Captain of the aircraft Squadron Leader John Cornish. The Dakota takes off and aerial shots of the aircraft in flight. RAAF Point Cook, review of the Air Force Station. The Royals were greeted by the Minister for Air Mr William McMahon and the Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal McCoy and Officer Commanding Training Command Air Vice Marshal Murdoch. Parade and fly past by Vampire jet trainers. Air Commodore Knox-Knight Commander RAAF Point Cook. Coverage of the parade by three Squadrons. The Royals view a static display of aircraft and are introduced to Flight Lieutenant Bill Scott who was the first Australian to break the Sound Barrier. A visit to the Officers Mess and meeting with RAAF personnel's families.

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Related information

• Period 1950-1959
• RAAF Fairbairn
• RAAF Point Cook
• RAAF Williamtown
• RAAF vessels
• Approximate locations: At sea
• Oceania: Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra
• Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney
• Oceania: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Point Cook
• Avro Lincoln
• Canberra bomber
• Douglas Dakota
• Lockheed Neptune
• March pasts
• North American P51 Mustang
• Politicians
• Royal visits
• Sabre aircraft
• Vampire aircraft
• Murdoch, Alister Murray