The Queen has arrived in Canberra for her 16th official visit to Australia.

The Queen and Prince Phillip will be in Brisbane next week but, to the surprise of many, this tour will not include Sydney.

Kate Morrison reports.

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The Queen will be met at Canberra’s Fairbarn Airport by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Governor General Quentin Bryce and local school children.

Vox: “My mum talked to my grampy last night and apparently we need to curtsy and bow.”

The 85-year-old monarch will be taking time for both official and public engagements during her stay.

The royal couple will cruise Lake Burley Griffin and visit the Australian War Memorial and the Floriade Flower Festival in our capital.

Michael Sait, Australian Monarchist League: “It’s an ongoing reminder of the importance of the Queen to us here and it’s just emphasising the national nature of Canberra.”

Although the Queen officially inaugurated the Captain Cook Memorial Jet 40 years ago, the National Capital Authority will only allow the Lake Burley Griffin landmark to be running for two hours because of cost.

Her public reception is expected to be modest compared with her 1954 visit when an estimated 70 per cent of the population turned out.

HM The Queen: “To offer my best wishes to all those who will be giving their service to the nation within these walls.”

Queen Elizabeth will come to Brisbane on Monday and head to Melbourne two days later. Her final destination is Perth, where she will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and leave for the UK on October 29th.

Kate Morrison, QUT News.