It has been a long wait for Australian simmers. World Update 7 back in early 2022 was the last time the continent received any dedicated attention in the sim, and while that update was substantial for its time, four years is a long time in MSFS terms. Today, the land “down under” receives another massive update!
World Update 21: Australia is now available as a free download for all Microsoft Flight Simulator users. As we reported when it was announced last month, the team described this as the highest number of new areas of interest ever delivered in a single world update, and the final release backs that up: 40 new areas of interest (AOIs) across all six Australian states and both of its self-governing territories.
The photogrammetry work was done in partnership with Bing Maps, Vexcel, Gaya, and Asobo. Unlike World Update 7, which relied on Orbx for much of its custom content, this time around Gaya Simulations has taken the lead role on the handcrafted airports, delivering six new facilities spread across the country.
What’s new on the ground
The six new airports cover a wide geographic range and carry some genuine character. Broken Hill Airport (YBHI) in outback New South Wales serves as a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which makes it one of the more historically interesting additions in the pack. Lord Howe Island Airport (YLHI) is another standout, a small strip on a remote island in the Tasman Sea that was previously only accessible by flying boat. Broome International Airport (YBRM) on the Indian Ocean coast, Coober Pedy Airport (YCBP) in the opal mining heartland, RAAF Base Tindal / Katherine Tindal Airport (YPTN) as a dual military and civilian facility, and Bathurst Airport (YBTH) in the Central Tablelands round out the list.
Coverage across the 40 AOIs spans major capitals and regional cities. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra all receive updated photogrammetry, along with dozens of regional cities and suburbs. Canberra and Darwin are notably new additions that weren’t part of World Update 7’s scope. Melbourne, which was highlighted during the April developer stream for its approximately 2,500 square kilometres of photogrammetry coverage, is likely to be the headline visual improvement for many players.
Missions and activities
For MSFS 2024 simmers, the update includes three discovery flights covering Canberra, the Cocos Islands, and the Whitsunday Islands, alongside five precision landings, two low altitude challenges, and two rally race challenges. The precision landings make good use of the diverse new airport content, including a Boeing 737 into Broome, an F/A-18 into RAAF Base Tindal, and a Robinson R66 into the Mount Wedge helipad.
MSFS 2020 players get three discovery flights, three landing challenges, and a bush trip along Australia’s Great Ocean Road, one of the more scenic coastal routes you can find in the real world.
Releasing alongside the world update is Local Legend 24: the CAC Boomerang, developed by iniBuilds. The Boomerang is the only combat aircraft ever designed and built entirely in Australia, and at $14.99 it makes for a natural companion to the new Australian scenery.
And there’s more! To mark the occasion, Microsoft is making Local Legend 02: the Fokker F.VII available for free until May 12 at 8am PT. The connection to Australia is a direct one: Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flew a Fokker F.VIIB-3m called the Southern Cross on the first ever transpacific crossing from the United States to Australia in June 1928, and later used it for the first crossing of the Tasman Sea.
World Update 21: Australia is available now through the in-game Content Manager, free for all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
