Microsoft Flight Simulator has launched World Update 21: Australia, adding more than 30 hand-crafted points of interest, new discovery flights and activities, and a dedicated collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The update was celebrated at a launch event held at the RFS hangar at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, where an exclusive aerial firefighting mission was demonstrated within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Players are tasked with water bombing a fire near Coffs Harbour, drawing directly on the operational realities of the RFS, the world's largest volunteer fire service, with almost 70,000 members.
New points of interest span the country, from Sydney's urban sprawl to the Outback, with Australian cultural landmarks including The Big Koala, The Big Mango and The Big Golden Guitar among the additions. New discovery flights cover the Whitsundays, the Cocos Islands and Canberra.
The update also introduces the CAC Boomerang, the Australian-designed and manufactured World War II fighter, as a flyable aircraft, a welcome addition for those with an interest in local aviation history.
"Our World Updates are a cornerstone of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024," said Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator. "When we decide on a region for a dedicated update, we look for areas that offer a truly unique and diverse set of challenges and wonders, and Australia absolutely stands out in that regard. We've seen incredible engagement from our Australian community, and we hope this next chapter inspires both new and returning simmers to experience this incredible region with unparalleled realism."
World Update 21: Australia is available now as a free download for owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020, and through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Xbox Cloud Gaming.