2011 – The Queen and her “Farewell Tour” in Australia

The Queen and Prince Philip in Perth. Image from Wikimedia Commons

Through the years of her reign, The Queen has forged a strong and special relationship with Australia, especially with the locals whose devotion to the head of State has never wavered. In Australia, she is not Queen of the United Kingdom, but she acts and speaks as Queen of Australia. Thus, whenever she is Down Under, she is addressed as “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.”

The Queen has developed a very personal relationship with Australia through regular visits. She has travelled throughout the different states to meet people from all cultures, walks of life and regions of this enormous and fascinating country.

In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, embarked on a 10-day visit to Australia. This was the Queen’s 16th official visit to Australia. Their trip brought them to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne before heading to Perth for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

The Queen and Prince Philip were given an overwhelming welcome befitting the Australian head of state. Julia Gillard, then the prime minister and Quentin Bryce, the governor-general, greeted them as they landed at Royal Australian Air Force's Fairbairn Base in Canberra. A 21-gun salute was sounded and the military band of Federation Guard military played God Save the Queen. Some 200 school children cheered as the royal couple emerged from the tarmac, waving Australian flags and wearing their best smile as their Queen had finally arrived!

The itinerary certainly proved demanding for a couple aged 85 and 90, but the Queen and Prince Philip carried on.  In their 10-day visit, they visited four cities in four states, attend two dozen engagements, including two boat rides, a visit to a flower show, aboriginal college and military college and a traditional Australia barbecue. They also spent a week in Canberra where the Queen met with the victims of the Queensland floods, which devastated Brisbane. They also enjoyed a tram ride in Melbourne and opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.

The “farewell tour” came at a time when republican sentiments in Australia was at its lowest. A month before the Queen arrived, a survey showed that the Australian monarch’s popularity had risen to 55 per cent, while support for a republic was down to 34 per cent, its lowest in 23 years.

A reception for The Queen was given by the Australian government  at Parliament House in Canberra on  October 21. Prime Minister Julia Gillard, an avowed supporter of The Queen, praised her for the role she plays as "a vital constitutional part of Australian democracy". In her speech at that very reception, The Queen said:

"It has been a difficult year for this country in many ways despite the successes. The world witnessed the anguish of Australians as they lived through a summer of national disasters. We were all inspired by the courage and resolution shown by those affected in the face of crippling desolation. Ever since I first came here in 1954 I have watched Australia grow and develop at an extraordinary rate. This country has made dramatic progress economically in social scientific and industrial endeavours and above all in self-confidence."

Many Australians believed that the 2011 visit was the Queen's last to Australia. As she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee on the throne and as she entered her 90s, the monarch has eventually scaled back on her foreign trips, leaving Prince Charles and his sons, Princes William and Harry, together with their equally popular wives, to take the global center stage. 

Queen Elizabeth II was the first-ever reigning monarch to set foot in Australia. She made her first visit in 1954 during the Commonwealth World Tour. She was given a warm welcome by her loyal subjects wherever she went. arriving at Farm Cove, Sydney, on February 3, 1954, she opened the Parliament of New South Wales  the next day. Her first tour took her and the Duke of Edinburgh from the Australian Capital Territory to New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, traveling approximately 10,000 miles by air, visiting all major cities except Darwin and 70 country towns via the special "royal trains. This allowed her to see 75 percent of the population to meet Her Majesty at least once during the tour.

Here is The Queen and Prince Philip's complete itinerary for their 11-day "Farewell Tour" of Australia.

Wednesday, October 19. Afternoon - The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrives in Canberra and are given a ceremonial welcome at the airport.

Thursday, October 20. Morning - Queen meets Governor-General Quentin Bryce. Afternoon - Visit to the Floriade flower show.

Friday, October 21. Morning - The Queen meets Prime Minister Julia Gillard and later Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott. Afternoon -  Parliament House reception hosted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Prince Philip attends a Duke of Edinburgh Award Reception.

Saturday, October 22. Morning - Presentation of colours to the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Afternoon -  The Duke of Edinburgh attends a Commonwealth Study Conference reception.

Sunday, October 23. Morning.  Worship at St John's Church. Afternoon -  Reception and lunch hosted by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

Monday, October 24 - Morning - Flight to Brisbane. Board a river craft and travel up the Brisbane River to Southbank. Visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Afternoon -  Reception for emergency response personnel and community members affected by recent floods. Post-flood Rededication Ceremony of Rainforest and opening of Rain Bank. Lunch with the Governor of Queensland, Penelope Wensley, and other guests. Return flight to Canberra.

Tuesday, October 25. Morning -  Australian War Memorial visit to view the Afghanistan Memorial. Meeting with Australian Defence Force Personnel at Orientation Hall.

Wednesday, October 26. Morning -  Flight to Melbourne. Attend opening of the Royal Children's Hospital. Afternoon -  Visit to the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria. Walk through Federation Square and journey on board a Melbourne Tram. Reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, at Government House. Flight to Perth.

Thursday, October 27. Morning -  Visit Clontarf Aboriginal College and view sporting facilities. Afternoon - Garden Party at Government House.

Friday, October 28. Morning - Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Lunch for new Heads of Government at Government House. Evening -  Banquet at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Saturday, October 29. Morning - Visit the Perth community barbecue event - "The Big Aussie BBQ". Midday - The Queen and Prince Philip depart Australia.