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1, jA US Tl IIA
PRO-ME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 11 JUNE 1976
THE QUEENS VISIT TO AUSTRALIA: MARCH 1977
The Queen accompanied by The Duke-of Edinburgh will
arrive in Australia at Canberra on Monday 7 March 1977
by air from New Zealand and will leave from Perth
on Wednesday 30 March.
In the course of their stay and after Canberra, they will
engage in an itinerary which will take them to Queensland,
New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern'
Territory and Western Australia, in that order.
The Queen has not visited South Australia and Western
Australia since 1963. In March 1974 here planned visits to
both States had to be cancelled in order to fulfill
constitutional duties in Britain following a General Election.
At-that time it was. I-. er Majesty's hope and intention to
re-visit these Sta~ es; when it proved possible and appropriate.
For next year's viszit, The Queen has asked that her
itinerary include adafed time in both States. They will
therefore be in South Australia from Saturday 19 to
Wednesday 23 March and in Western Australia from Saturday 26'
to Wednesday 30 Ma-rch.
It has already been announced by the Papua New Guinea
authorities that The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will
visit PapuaTheiur-Guinea from 23 to 26 March. During that
period the Royal Yacht Britannia will travel from South Australia
to Western Australia.
On Wednesday 26 March the-RIoyal iraf on its -flight frboM
Papua New%* Guinea ti) Western Australia,, will stop at Da-rin to
enable. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to have some
time with citizens of the Northern Territory.
The precise amount of time which The Queen and The Duke of
Edinburgh will spend in the States on the eastern side of
the continent has yet to be determined. It is unlikely in
any instance to exceed two days. The dates which are in
mind at present could undergo slight changes when -further
details of the transport possibilities are related to
the planning of the program. .2
7 March
9 March
11 March
13 March
14 March
16. March
18 March
19 March Arrival at Canberra
Canberra/ Queensland
Queensland/ New South Wales
Possible rest day
Arrival in Tasmania
Tasmania/ Victoria
Possible Test day
Arrival in South Australia
The Royal Yacht Britannia is expected to be in Austialian
waters at-the time of The Queen's visit and its presence
will have a number of agreeable results. It will be
available as a -ieans of transport and of rest when moving
from point to point. It will allow The Queen to enter
some Australian-cities from seaward and will be available
for such entertaining as Her Majesty may choose. to do.
Consultations between the Commonwealth and the States
will take place to. p'repare in draft form, a programme of
engagements for the Visit. Those details will be
announced when an approved programme has been decided.
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