Kensington Palace has released new details of the three-week tour, which will be divided equally between the two countries and take in five Australian states and territories, culminating in the Anzac Day march and commemorative service in Canberra.

The palace could not confirm whether George will join his parents on their trip to the bilby enclosure at Taronga Zoo, which was dedicated to the newborn prince as a birthday gift.

''One or two engagements … have been identified as times when the duke and duchess may bring Prince George along too,'' said Miguel Head, the duke's private secretary. ''But George, being a little over eight months old by the time they travel, I'm sure you will appreciate the couple have to make a final decision about that much closer to the time.''

The duchess has never been to either Australia or New Zealand, apart from a brief airport transit, but the duke visited Sydney and Melbourne - left off this year's itinerary - in January 2010.

Mr Head said the couple above all wanted to meet the people of each country.

''The duke has no doubt that his wife will fall in love with New Zealand Australia every bit as much as he did some years ago,'' he said.

The tour will include visits to war memorials, marking the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.

For several parts of the tour the couple will leave George behind in the care of a nanny, including during their two-day trip to Uluru and when they visit Adelaide.

They arrive in Sydney on April 16 and head straight to the Sydney Opera House for a reception, before they take a boat across the harbour to Admiralty House, which will be their base for the Australian leg of the tour.

They will visit the Blue Mountains to meet families affected by the October fires, and will also take in some sightseeing in the area.

The trip also includes a lifesaving display in Manly, and a visit to the RAAF base at Amberley on a one-day trip to Brisbane.

On their final day, Anzac Day, they will attend the march and commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial.

Though the itinerary does not specify chances for meeting members of the public, many of the days will include an opportunity for bystanders to see the duke and duchess up close - at the Opera House, for example. The Queen has had to give special permission for the two heirs, William and George, to travel on the same flights.

The Royals in Australia

Wednesday 16 Sydney

Arrival Sydney airport

Sydney Opera House reception

Boat to Admiralty House

Thursday 17  Blue Mountains

Visit to bushfire affected street

Meeting with community leaders and firefighters

Sightseeing

Friday 18 Sydney

Royal Easter Show visit

Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice, Manly

Surf lifesaving demonstration, Manly

Saturday 19 Brisbane

RAAF Amberley base visit

Brisbane Convention Centre reception

Sunday 20 Sydney

Easter Sunday service at  St Andrew’s Cathedral

Taronga Zoo visit including bilby enclosure

Monday 21 Sydney

No engagements

Tuesday 22 Uluru

National Indigenous Training Academy visit

Uluru cultural centre visit

Afternoon tea with NT chief minister

Walk around base of Uluru

Wednesday 23 Adelaide

Visit to Northern Sound System studios

Reception at Playford civic centre

Thursday 24 Canberra

National Portrait Gallery visit

Prime Minister’s reception, Parliament House

National Arboretum tree-planting

Governor-General’s reception

Friday 25 Canberra

ANZAC Day march and commemorative service, Australian War Memorial

Lone Pine planting ceremony

Departure