Sir Peter, who will land in Saudi Arabia today, is the latest in a long line of world leaders to converge on the Middle East to pay their respects to the late king, who died last week at the age of 90 after being hospitalised with pneumonia.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Sir Peter said the governor-general would "convey the condolences of the Australian government and people to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud".

Recent or expected condolence visits by US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and French President Francois Hollande underscore Saudi Arabia's political and economic growing clout, despite concerns over the country's human rights record.

Its treatment of women remains a particular concern. According to Human Rights Watch, women are banned from obtaining a passport, marrying, travelling, or accessing higher education without the approval of a male guardian, usually a husband, father, brother, or son. They are also banned from driving.

Saudi Arabia recently publicly beheaded a Burmese woman who was convicted of murdering her daughter, and sentenced blogger Raif Badawi to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam.

Australia Day is a busy day in the calendar of an Australian governor-general, a largely ceremonial role. Today was to have been Sir Peter's first Australia Day in the job since taking over from Dame Quentin Bryce in March 2014.

Sir Peter was due to attend the national flag raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra on Monday, but has cancelled. His televised Australia Day message will proceed as planned.

He did attend Australia Day activities in Canberra on Sunday, including the ceremony where Rosie Batty was named Australian of the Year.

The governor-general is Chancellor of the Order of Australia and is charged with its administration.

Sir Peter was named Australian of the Year in 2001 as part of Australia Day celebrations.

Since his death, the late King Abdullah has been lionised by world leaders. US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed him a "man of wisdom and vision". Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was a "key architect of Saudi Arabia's economic and political development" and "strong proponent of international interfaith dialogue".

Flags on government buildings around Australia were being flown at half-mast on Saturday to mark King Abdullah's death.

Former prime Minister Malcolm Fraser said the decision to lower the flags on all Australian government buildings "should not have happened".