SYDNEY, Sept 30 AAP - Organisers of the controversial visit to Australia by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today hailed his tour as "extremely successful.

The Dalai Lama met thousands of followers and interested onlookers during his 15-day visit to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

He flew out of Sydney this morning to return briefly to his home in India before taking off again on a tour of three European countries.

Despite the Australian tour being harshly condemned by China, tour spokesman Paul Bourke said the Dalai Lama had been warmly received by Australians.

"It was an extremely successful trip," Mr Bourke said. "(Yesterday) he commented on his visit to Australia and said he had seen a lot of different cultures represented here and he felt the unity and cooperation here was excellent.

"He thought we had something to show the rest of the world.

"He was taken by the warmth of his reception by Australian people."

Mr Bourke said the main feature of the Dalai Lama's trip the nine-day Kalachakra festival in Sydney was also a huge success, with more than 4,000 people attending.

"It was one of the most successful Kalachakras he has ever performed," he said.

"This was the first time it's been done in the southern hemisphere by his Holiness and probably he has done it only 12 times in his life."

It was the Dalai Lama's third visit to Australia, following previous tours in 1982 and 1992.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader arrived in Sydney after a tour of New Zealand on September 14 and spent two days in Melbourne attending religious events including a pan-Buddhist gathering and a public address.

After one day in Canberra meeting with MPs and senators, the Dalai Lama returned to Sydney to host the Kalachakra at the Hordon Pavilion.

Another highlight of the Sydney leg was last Thursday's meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, which came despite condemnation and threats of trade sanctions from Beijing.

Also there was the construction of a sand mandala an intricate work of art in sand by Buddhist monks, which was cermonially swept up by the Dalai Lama and sprinkled on Sydney Harbour yesterday.

The Buddhist ceremony is designed to bring peace and unity.

He then addressed a near-capacity crowd at the Sydney Entertainment Centre about the need for harmony, respect and concern for others.

The Dalai Lama has returned to his home in India for three weeks before he leaves again for teaching visits in France, Germany and Hungary.