The photograph above shows the large decorative arches built at the Hobart wharves for the first-ever royal visit to Tasmania in January 1868.

Queen Victoria’s second son, Prince Alfred, was the royal visitor. He arrived in Hobart on Monday, 6 January 1868, and hit the ground running, lying the foundation stone for St. David’s Cathedral and attending several events held in his honour.

On Saturday, 8 February 1868, the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser reported:

“The Duke, it appears, was only present at the Governor’s ball in Hobart Town for about an hour, and retired before supper. This, it is insinuated, arose from an apprehension that improper persons would find admittance to the ball – a doubt warmly repelled by one of the Hobart Town papers.”

Because this was the first time a royal had come to Tasmania, the prince’s visit was seen as a big deal by those living in the British colony.

Alfred travelled up to Launceston by coach while he was in Tasmania. According to The Cruise of HMS Galatea, he “left the coach” at Franklin Village and was then “driven [into Launceston proper] in a carriage-and-four” with a “detachment of volunteer cavalry” escorting him. Large crowds gathered to greet him in this final approach.

The carriage-and-four is currently on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Many believed at the time that Prince Alfred’s visit would be a highlight in Tasmanian history, but other royals have visited since, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1977, 1981, 1988, and 2000.

References & Bibliography

Tas That Was is a column that includes:

  • anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
  • historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
  • documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].

Callum J. Jones is passionate about telling stories. He studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in Western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. Callum has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.

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