Kate, dressed in a sleeveless mauve dress, and William in chinos and a short-sleeved shirt, will face 33C temperatures, as they undertake a number of engagements - including a walk at the base of the rock.

The couple left Canberra about 11am and touched down at Yulara airport at 1.30pm (AEST).

It’s William’s second visit to Uluru.

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped off their Royal Australian Air Force jet and out into the dry heat of the central Australian desert, they looked straight out at Uluru.

About 150 people in the remote town pressed up against the airport’s fence to get a look at the couple, who touched down just after 1pm local time.

Kate was the first to appear, wearing a taupe cap-sleeved dress by Roksanda Ilincic, with a pale grey belt and nude pumps.It is her second outfit by the designer since she arrived in Australia.

William was similarly desert-ready, in cream pants, brown suede loafers and a casual khaki shirt.

They were greeted by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Sally Thomas, her husband Duncan McNeill, NT Chief Minister Adam Giles and his wife Tamara, and traditional owners Daisy Walkabout and Vincent Nipper.

William lingered as he spoke to Ms Walkabout, who greeted his parents Prince Charles and Diana on their trip to Uluru in 1983.

‘‘We’re happy to meet them, like we were happy to meet (Charles and Diana) in the past,’’ Ms Walkabout said.

‘‘They’ve travelled a lot and now they will come to see this country, and it will be good to know they have seen Uluru, which is so hugely significant not just for a small group of people but a whole range of people that are related and connected to this place.’’

Prince George is not with the couple, who will spend their only night away from the nine-month-old on Tuesday.

AAP

Pictures by Getty Images, Reuters, Fairfax Media.