Government House will be open on two consecutive weekends - March 5 and 6, and 12 and 13 - for people to admire the blossoming azaleas in its garden.

A display showing historic pictures of Government House and photographs of dignitaries received by the Government since the Handover will be staged in the ballroom.

Visitors can see the drawing and dining rooms where important official functions are held, such as banquets in honour of visiting heads of state, and honours and awards presentation ceremonies.

Government House is open to the public six times a year, and these are the first two for 2005. It will be open from 10am to 5pm. Visitors have to enter by the east gate at Upper Albert Road and leave by the main gate.

Visitors should travel by public transport. Depending on the length of the queue, Police may announce a cut-off time for lining up outside Government House to ensure that everybody in the queue can get into building in time.