Prince William salutes 'courageous' Australia fire survivors

Britain's Prince William Thursday paid tribute to the courageous survivors of horrific firestorms that killed 173 people last year as embodying the "spirit of Australia".

William, 27, used his only official speech Down Under to salute the thousands who survived February's "Black Saturday" wildfires, after an emotional day touring the fire-wasted region.

"Today on the outskirts of Melbourne I was privileged to see the spirit of Australia in its purest, most magnificent form," the prince told a official reception in the city.

"My family, along with millions around the world, followed the events of last February with a sense of horror which slowly, as the days passed, turned to one of deep, deep admiration for the steadfastness of the Australian people."

William travelled from Sydney to the town of Whittlesea early Thursday to receive an official briefing about the disaster before touring devastated areas.

"It's terrifying what it can do, isn't it?" he remarked, leafing through photographs of the damage.

Victoria state premier John Brumby said the young prince was "staggered" by the scale of the destruction.

Hundreds of homeless and traumatised victims who took refuge in Whittlesea following the blazes turned out to greet William, whose visit comes two weeks ahead of the first anniversary of the tragedy.

His convoy made a stop at the Humevale property of Richard and Diane Fox so that he could speak with them about their ordeal.

"It's an honour, it's not every day that royalty comes to walk on your lovely block of land," said Diane, adding that the visit would lift spirits and help the healing process.

"There's been a lot of heartache, a lot of mud," she said.

"It's not just about an area, it's about the people, and there's been so many people affected, not just us who lost our houses."

The casually dressed royal, who wore a yellow ribbon on his shirt in memory of the dead, mixed easily with survivors during a barbecue lunch, inquiring after the welfare of families and whether they intended to rebuild.

Delighted local children queued for a chance to bat against the prince during a lunchtime cricket game with Australian stars Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee.

William told the Melbourne reception being in Australia was the realisation of a long-held dream, recalling his much-loved late mother Princess Diana's affection for Australia and the "profound impression" it made on her.

His father, Prince Charles, was "still misty-eyed about an immortal moment on Bondi (beach) when an Australian beauty planted a smack on his cheek," William said.

"It's good to see this tradition is still continuing," he joked.

The prince praised Australia as "truly a country for the 21st century".

"What has struck me during this visit to the southern hemisphere is what shared heritage actually means. It really is about core values and our way of life," William added.

"It really is about humour and decency and it is also about courage and an ability to face down adversity."

He made an impromptu appearance at the Australian Open tennis tournament and watched world number one Roger Federer secure a straight sets win over Romania's Victor Hanescu.

William will reportedly return to Britain on an overnight flight.

The prince last visited Australia in the arms of his mother when he was just nine months old in 1983, and commentators say his ready humour and laid-back manner gave him the "Diana touch" with the public.

His popular tour has revived debate over whether Australia should become a republic, with some opinion-formers suggesting he had boosted the monarchist cause.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said there were "no present plans" to have a referendum on becoming a republic, a move the Australian people voted against in 1999.