Governor-General Peter Cosgrove greets visitors at Government House open day

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove meets, rear from left, Paris Morris 12, Catherine Morris, Eleana Campbell, 1, front from left, William Campbell, 5, and Amity Morris, 7, during the Government House open day. Lady Lynne Cosgrove can be seen in the background in black. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove was surrounded with tight security as he greeted visitors to Yarralumla on Sunday.

A queue formed to meet Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove during the annual charity open day at Government House.

More than 3000 visitors enjoyed brilliant spring weather and free entry to the extensive grounds of the property.

However, bags were searched at the gates and media photographers were asked to demonstrate their cameras were genuine.

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A circle of at least six security personnel kept watch on the crowd mingling with the vice-regal couple, while another half dozen were in the grounds close by, along with uniformed police.

Sir Peter led the International Force for East Timor in 1999 and was Chief of the Defence Force during the Iraq war.

He invited visitors inside to see the public areas of the residence, with its heritage furniture and fine art on loan, and spoke about the 400-year tree in the grounds and the lack of flies, compared with his early days at Duntroon.

"Government House Canberra might be the main residence of the Governor-General but it belongs to the Australian people and this is a unique opportunity to see one of the most historic and prominent houses in the country," he said.

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Governor-General Peter Cosgrove greets visitors at Government House open day