In 1927, The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and the Queen Mother) left Britain to sail to the Dominions of Australia and New Zealand.

The main purpose of the trip was to open the provisional Parliament House in Canberra, but it was also a show of gratitude for the sacrifices of the Great War.

The royal couple arrived in Sydney on the morning of the 26th March, to a tumultuous reception, by over a million people in Sydney.

In a letter written by the Duke to the Lord Mayor he said:

“The Duchess and I desire to say how deeply touched we are at the warmth of the welcome we received from the citizens of Sydney during the tour through the city this morning. We shall never forget it as long as we live” [1]

Five days later, the royal train, drawn by 2 36-class locomotives, steamed up the Great Western Railway to Katoomba. After luncheon at the Carrington Hotel, where the Duchess admired the recently completed cupola, a fleet of Crossley cars left to view the lookouts at Echo Point then Leura on their way to their final destination - the Jenolan Caves.

Following afternoon tea at Hampton, the Duke and Duchess arrived at Jenolan Caves.

Following their inspection of the Left Imperial Cave, conducted by Mr. J.C. Wiburd, Head Guide, the Duke and Duchess sat down to a splendid 15 course dinner, including mouth-watering choices such as Lobster Neuberg, roast turkey St. James and rum omlette.

A copy of the full menu for the night, signed by their Royal Highnesses, hangs in the dining room of Caves House. 

So bidding goodbye to Mr. Wiburd outside Caves House, the Duke and Duchess left for Mount Victoria, lunch and the royal train back to Sydney.

Australia left a lasting impression on the Duke of York. As king in the early 1950’s, he planned another much anticipated visit, but his death through throat cancer prevented it.