Royals enjoy day off in Canberra

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend a day of rest in the national capital before braving the blazing sun to catch a glimpse of Uluru on Tuesday.

The royal couple arrived in Canberra on Sunday night, after spending the day at official engagements in Sydney, including taking eight-month-old baby George to Taronga Zoo.

Will, Kate and George have taken up residence at Yarralumla, the official home of the Governor-General, for the duration of their trip.

On Tuesday, the pair will fly to the Northern Territory, where they will experience a traditional welcome to country and indigenous art before being hosted at a reception by NT Chief Minister Adam Giles.

The trip to the NT will mark their first overnight stay in Australia without baby George, who will remain with his nanny in Canberra.

While braving 31C heat and a very high UV index of 8 in the NT, the pair will visit Uluru and take a short walk near the base of the sacred sandstone formation.

The duke and duchess will wrap up their tour of Australia on Friday with a commemorative tree planting at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.