Prince on target in Australia

Prince William fires a F-89 Minimi Machinegun at the barracks rifle range as he visits Holsworthy Army Barracks in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

He came to New Zealand and fired up a barbecue, then left for Australia to fire a machinegun.

From boats, beer and barbecues in New Zealand to guns and hip hop across the ditch, Prince William's tour Downunder has covered a lot of ground.

After a night at Sydney's fashionable Bungalow 8 bar, and a morning with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at a youth refuge, Prince William yesterday visited the Holsworthy Army barracks.

A flight lieutenant with the Royal Air Force, the Prince toomk a hands-on approach to his visit, firing an F89 Minimi machine gun (above) and a standard issue F88 Austeyr rifle.

His instructor, Corporal Kyle Balfoort, said the Prince scored a "comfortable pass" with both weapons.

"Given he had no practice he was surprisingly good," Corporal Balfoort said.

Prince William was equally at ease chatting with soldiers from Alpha Company parachute battalion, many of whom had recently returned from active duty in Afghanistan.

The prince visits Melbourne today before returning to the United Kingdom tomorrow.

- AGENCIES