World Update 21: Australia sets a new standard in realism for pilots in the Microsoft Flight Simulator world!

Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular sights and destinations, including stunning coastlines, vast deserts, beautiful mountains, and architectural marvels. Renowned attractions the country offers include the Sydney Opera House, one of the most distinctive structures in the world; the Twelve Apostles, iconic sea stacks on the Southern Ocean coastline; vast sweeps of interior desert; and lush stands of rainforest. World Update 21 delivers Australia to Microsoft Flight Simulator aviators like never before and includes a collection of missions for pilots to explore some of the finest that this wonderful country offers.

Microsoft partnered with Azure Maps, Vexcel, Gaya, and Asobo to create World Update 21, the first update to Australia in the Microsoft Flight Simulator World since the release of World Update 7 in January of 2022. An immense update that sets new standards in lifelike realism and visual fidelity, the release includes 40 areas of interest (AOIs) recreated using updated photogrammetry, TIN (triangulated irregular network) surface texturing, and digital elevation modeling (DEM). Coverage of AOIs spans all six Australian states and its two main self-governing territories. Areas of interest throughout Australia’s regions covered in this update include:

New South Wales: Albury, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Chatswood, Coffs Harbour, Minto, Newcastle-Maitland, Springwood, Sydney, Wagga Wagga.

Queensland: Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Kippa-Ring, Mackay, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville.

South Australia: Adelaide, Woodcroft.

Tasmania: Hobart, Launceston.

Victoria: Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Frankston, Mildura, Moorabbin, Mooroolbark, Shepparton.

Western Australia: Perth, Jandakot, Joondalup, Mandurah, Bunbury.

Australian Capital Territory: Canberra.

Northern Territory: Darwin.

World Update 21 also includes dozens of points of interest (POIs), including parks, dams, lighthouses, observatories, and major buildings.

The update comprises six meticulously handcrafted airports from Microsoft’s long-term partner, Gaya: Broken Hill Airport (YBHI), Broome International Airport (YBRM), Coober Pedy Airport (YCBP), Bathurst Airport (YBTH), RAAF Base Tindal / Katherine Tindal Airport (YPTN), and Lord Howe Island Airport (YLHI).

World Update 21: Australia features several incredible missions for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024:

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 World Update 21 Missions:

• Three Discovery Flights: Canberra, Cocos Islands, and Whitsunday Islands.
• Five Precision Landings: Broome International Airport (YBRM) in a Boeing 737, Coober Pedy Airport (YCBP) in a CubCrafters XCub, RAAF Base Tindal / Katherine Tindal Airport (YPTN) in a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Mount Wedge helipad (Y904T) in a Robinson R66 helicopter, and South Solitary Island Heliport (YSSL) in a Robinson R66.
• Two Low Altitude Challenges: Lake Eildon in a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Kimbolton in a Fairchild Republic A-10.
• Two Rally Race Challenges: Three Sisters and the Twelve Apostles.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 World Update 21 Missions:

• Three Discovery Flights: Canberra, Cocos Islands, and Whitsunday Islands.
• Three Landing Challenges: Broome International Airport (YBRM) in an Airbus A320, Coober Pedy Airport in a CubCrafters XCub, and RAAF Base Tindal / Katherine Tindal Airport (YPTN) in a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet.
• One Bush Trip: Australia’s Great Ocean Road.

World Update 21: Australia is FREE to all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Ensure that your simulator is updated to the latest version, download World Update 21, and explore the wonders of Australia!