Prince Charles' first visit to Queensland, 1966

In May 1966, a young Prince Charles made his very first visit to Queensland. The 17 year old was in Australia studying at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop school in Victoria. As part of his holidays the future King travelled to Queensland, visiting Cairns, Eidsvold and Gayndah. 

Prince Charles arrived at Cairns Airport on 12 May with over 700 people turning out to welcome him. The Cairns Post newspaper (13/05/1966) reported on his casual dress - "With his short-sleeved, open-necked green shirt, white denim slacks and brown brogue shoes, the young Prince looked exactly what he is - a schoolboy on a country holiday weekend".

His hosts during the four day visit to Cairns were Mr and Mrs H.S. (Syd) Williams of Bellevue Crescent, Edge Hill, an inner city suburb. Prior to Prince Charles' arrival Syd Williams told the Courier-Mail (10/5/1966) - "It's entirely a private visit, and part of the Prince's educational programme…We want to make the visit as informal and as happy as any boy of 17 would want. He's a lovely, natural boy, and we want to treat him as one of the family."

During his Cairns visit he spent time swimming and fishing off Upolu Cay and Fitzroy Island. Journalists were keen to report on the royal catch – an 8 pound (3.6 kg) coral trout and two mackerels with one weighing 25 pounds (11.3 kg). These mackerels were to be set aside for the Cairns Swimming Club barbecue which was to be held the next weekend. Charles was given a tour of the Malanda Jungle reserve where the future King was lucky to escape injury after a black bean tree seed pod nearly fell on his head. His Cairns visit also included waterskiing on Lake Barrine.

On 17 May the Prince flew from Cairns for a short stopover in Brisbane before heading up to Gayndah. The Burnett Advocate (19/05/1966) reported that 2,000 people waited for his arrived - "All roadways to the airport were lined with cars for considerable distances, and business in the town virtually came to a standstill during his arrival, and although the occasion was supposed to have been strictly informal, the Royal visitor could not have had a more enthusiastic reception if it has been specially organised”. The Courier-Mail noted that all hotel bars in Gayndah were deserted which apparently was something of a rarity.

The Prince was to be a guest at Eidsvold Station. His host was station owner Barney Joyce, who greeted the Prince at the airport.  Joyce was colourfully dressed for the occasion with a tan and white cattle hide vest over a pink shirt with a yellow tie and brown trousers. Prince Charles spent his time at Eidsvold Station horseriding and mustering yearlings. He left on 20 May with Gayndah Shire Chairman (Cr. Baker) presenting Charles with a box of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and mandarins at the airport.

Later that day he flew to Brisbane for another very brief visit before heading to Tamworth via Coolongatta. In Brisbane he attended an informal luncheon at Government House with Queensland Governor, Sir Alan Mansfield and Lady Mansfield.

After Brisbane, Prince Charles had a twenty minute stop at Coolangatta Airport. Although he didn't leave the airport the Prince greeted the 1500-odd crowd who were lined along the airport fence. The Courier Mail reported - "The question most people asked the Prince was: 'How are you you enjoying your holiday?'. He told them: 'It's been wonderful'".

Further reading

• Hear ye! Hear ye! 1954 and Her Majesty is coming!
• Queen Elizabeth and the Governor's wife
• Ahoy! Ahoy! – Her Majesty returns in 1963!
• The state of Queensland welcomes royalty in 1970 - Part 1 The Inland Tour
• The state of Queensland welcomes royalty in 1970 - Part 2 The Coastal Tour
• Photographs - Royal Tour 1954 (Flickr)
• Photographs - Royal Tour- Queensland on show 1954 (Flickr)