Details of Harry and Meghan's royal tour REVEALED: Couple will meet koalas, take part in a 'welly-wanging' contest and recreate the Queen and Prince Philip's 1953 welcome to Fiji

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The itinerary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's upcoming royal tour has been revealed. 

The couple will depart London on 15 October and will spend 16 days carrying out a packed schedule of engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. 

A major focus of the tour is the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, the Paralympics-style sports event Prince Harry spearheads for wounded, sick and injured service personnel.

The couple will also visit projects championing youth leadership and environmental and conservation efforts. 

Among the highlights will be a visit to the world-renowned Taronga Zoo, in Sydney, where they will meet two koalas and their joeys. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the zoo with Prince George during their royal tour in 2014. 

Elsewhere the couple will visit Australian farmers struck by drought, meet the King of Tonga and will join a group of children in a 'welly-wanging' contest in Auckland.

On their arrival in Fiji they will be treated to a traditional welcome that will mirror the one received by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their own royal tour in 1953. Here, a closer look at what the visit will involve...   

The itinerary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's upcoming royal tour has been revealed includes meeting koalas, taking part in a 'welly-wanging' contest and recreating the Queen and Prince Philip's 1953 welcome to Fiji. Pictured, Harry and Meghan in Sussex on Wednesday

The couple will depart London on 15 October and will spend 16 days carrying out a packed schedule of engagements in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, illustrated above

Tuesday 16 October 

The first day of the tour will begin in Sydney at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove, who will welcome them to his home which offers spectacular views across Sydney Harbour.

Representatives from each of the 18 countries participating in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 will be present.

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Taronga Zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning. 

During this visit, The Duke and Duchess will meet two koalas and their joeys that are part of the zoo's breeding programme, and visit the laboratory to meet conservation scientists who are working on efforts to reduce illegal wildlife trafficking.

Among the highlights will be a visit to the world-renowned Taronga Zoo, in Sydney, where they will meet two koalas and their joeys. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the zoo with Prince George during their royal tour in 2014, pictured

The Duke and Duchess will travel by vessel across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera House. Once inside, Their Royal Highnesses will view a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an internationally acclaimed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company. 

Upon departure, walking along the Opera House forecourt, The Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public.

The first day of the visit will conclude with a Reception hosted by the Governor-General at Admiralty House, to be attended by Australians from a broad range of sectors including charity and community, business and industry, arts and culture, sport and entertainment.

Wednesday 17 October  

The following morning, Their Royal Highnesses will fly to the town of Dubbo, situated on the Macquarie River, 186miles (300km) northwest of Sydney. 

On arrival in Dubbo, The Duke and Duchess will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn more about the life-saving role the aviation service provides for people living in rural and regional areas.

With most of the state of New South Wales suffering from drought, their Royal Highnesses will see first-hand the hardships local farmers are facing by visiting a local property. 

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region.

In the afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will visit a local school working to improve the education outcomes of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

Thursday 18 October 

On Thursday Harry and Meghan will fly to Melbourne where the day will begin with a short walk to Government House, meeting members of the public along the way, before attending an official reception at Government House, attended by young leaders.  

The royal couple will later visit a social enterprise café which offers leadership, mentoring and training programmes for young Aboriginal people.

In the afternoon, the duke and duchess will visit a primary school to meet students who are involved in sustainability programmes. Upon departure from the school, The Duke and Duchess will travel on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach, where they will meet volunteers from a local beach patrol programme.

Prince Harry will be hoping for better weather than the last time he did a walkabout in Australia. Pictured, the prince meets 97-year-old Daphne Dunne in Sydney in June 2017

Friday 19 October 

Day four of the visit will take place in Sydney. In the morning, Harry and Meghan will visit Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. 

The Duke and Duchess will meet a local surfing community group, known as OneWave, raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing. Before departing, The duke and duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public.

Later that morning, the couple will take part in a youth advocate programme. 

Following this event, the Duke will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to officially raise the Invictus Flag, marking the arrival of the Invictus Games to Sydney.

Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day with calls on the Leader of the Opposition at Admiralty House, and the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House.

Saturday 20 October 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island.

In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception at the Opera House, prior to attending the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony. Prince Harry will give a speech at this event.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their public debut as a couple at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September last year, pictured. This month they will attend the games in Sydney

Sunday 21 October

Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex will watch some Invictus Games events, including cycling and sailing. 

They will attend a lunchtime reception hosted by the Prime Minister with Invictus Games competitors. 

Monday 22 October 

Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Queensland’s Fraser Island, or K’gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, as part of the dedication of the site to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC).  

The Duke and Duchess will take part in a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and unveil a plaque for the dedication of the Forests of K’gari to the QCC. 

Traditional Owners from Bulburin National Park, the second QCC dedication site in Queensland, will also be present. 

The couple will then a lake to meet with local elders and national park rangers to learn about the Island’s natural beauty, rich history, biodiversity and cultural significance. From here, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to the beach to learn about the history in the Island’s logging trade, as well as its use as a training base for the Australian Z Special Unit during the Second World War.

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to Kingfisher Bay by boat, where the visit will conclude with a walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty.  

On their arrival in Fiji they will be treated to a traditional welcome that will mirror the one received by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on their own royal tour in 1953, pictured 

Tuesday 23 October   

Harry and Meghan arrive in Suva, Fiji. Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a Guard of Honour at the airport, before calling on His Excellency The President of Fiji at Borron House. 

The Duke and Duchess will then attend an official welcome ceremony in the city centre's Albert Park. The ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage, and will mirror in format that of the one attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in 1953.

From there, The Duke and Duchess will leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel to attend a Reception and a State Dinner hosted by The President of Fiji, at which The Duke will speak.

Wednesday 24 October 

The following morning, His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial, and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces.

Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva, where they will observe a cultural performance on the effects of climate change, before meeting students studying subjects from agriculture to women’s development. The duchess will say a few words.

From here, Their Royal Highnesses' programme will split. The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner’s Residence. 

The Duchess will then travel to Suva Market to meet some of the female vendors who have become empowered through the project.

Thursday 25 October 

The Duke and Duchess will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. 

After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a British-Fijian soldier who lost his life in the 1972 Battle of Mirbat. The event will be attended by the President of Fiji, and senior representatives from government and the Armed Forces.

From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga, where they will be met at Fua'amotu Airport by Her Royal Highness The Princess Angelika Latufuipeka. 

That evening, The Duke and Duchess will visit Consular House in central Nuku'alofa for a private audience with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu, to be followed by an official reception and dinner, and traditional Tongan entertainment.

Friday 26 October 

The following morning, the duke and duchess will visit the St George Building for a call on the Prime Minister S Akilisi Pohiva and members of the cabinet. From there, Their Royal Highnesses will attend an exhibition with The Princess Angelika at the Faonelua Centre.

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Tupou College, which is the oldest secondary school in the Pacific, founded by a British missionary in 1866. The Tupou College Boys will perform traditional Tongan music to commemorate the event.

From Tupou College, The Duke and Duchess will travel to The Royal Palace for an official farewell with The King before departing for Sydney.

That evening in Sydney, Their Royal Highnesses will attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards.

Saturday 27 October 

The last day of the Australian programme falls on the final day of the Invictus Games.

Their Royal Highnesses will spend the afternoon at the wheelchair basketball finals at the Quay Centre, before attending the Closing Ceremony that evening at Qudos Bank Arena. 

The event, at which both The Duke and Duchess will speak, promises to be a celebration of the outstanding achievements and inspiring spirit of the Invictus Games competitors.

Sunday 28 October 

 The Duke and Duchess will depart on a Royal New Zealand AirForce flight for Wellington. Their Royal Highnesses will travel on the same aircraft as a number of the New Zealand Invictus Games competitors.

From the airport, they will attend the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House – the residence of the Governor-General to New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy. 

Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to hongi with the Governor-General’s Kuia and Kaumātua (Māori elders), before the pōwhiri, which includes a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. The ceremony will also include a 21-gun salute, and will be attended by school children.

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Here, they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and will visit the newly unveiled UK War Memorial.

That evening, The Duke and Duchess will receive official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House, before attending a reception hosted by the Governor General celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

Monday 29 October 

The next morning, The Duke and Duchess will meet young people from a number of mental health projects operating in New Zealand.

From Wellington, The Duke and Duchess will travel to Abel Tasman National Park, which sits at the north-Eastern tip of the South Island, and is an area famed for its golden beaches and native bush walks. Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a traditional welcome ceremony on arrival, before embarking on a trail walk with one of the park’s rangers to learn more about the history of the forest and the environmental challenges of protecting the park’s habitat.

That evening back in Wellington, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Courtenay Creative for an event celebrating the city’s thriving creative arts scene.

Tuesday 30 October 

The following day, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Auckland, where they will firstly visit the North Shore to dedicate a 20 hectare area of native bush to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. 

After unveiling the plaque, The Duke and Duchess will hear more about the ecological importance of the native bush, before joining children from the 'Trees in Survival' group in a ‘welly-wanging’ contest.

Their Royal Highnesses will then join the Prime Minister to visit Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison through the provision of special mentoring schemes. As a wedding present to The Duke and Duchess, the Government of New Zealand gifted $5,000 dollars to Pillars.

Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet the people of Auckland on the Viaduct Harbour, before attending a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Wednesday 31 October  

The final day of their Royal Highnesses’ tour will take place in Rotorua, a town set on Lake Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. 

Next, The Duke and Duchess will head to Rainbow Springs to learn more about the centre’s kiwi breeding programme. Kiwi, which are New Zealand’s national bird, have become increasingly endangered in recent years, and Their Royal Highnesses will meet conservationists working to protect the species.

Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will head into the city for the chance to meet members of the public gathered there. They will then travel to Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua. The treewalk is a 700m-long walkway of suspension bridges between 117-year-old Redwood trees. 

The Duke and Duchess will learn more about the forest’s history as they take on the tree walk, and will then meet invited representatives of the local biking community under the forest canopy.

Thursday 1 November 

Their Royal Highnesses will return to Auckland that evening, before departing for London the following day.