Microsoft Flight Simulator Takes Flight Down Under with the Stunning World Update 21: Australia – Now Live!

Today, Microsoft Flight Simulator launched World Update 21: Australia, inviting players to discover the vast and breathtaking beauty of the Land Down Under with unprecedented fidelity.

To celebrate the launch of World Update 21: Australia, Microsoft Flight Simulator collaborated with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), the world’s largest volunteer fire service. With almost 70,000 dedicated volunteers, the RFS is deeply ingrained in the fabric of NSW communities, tirelessly preventing and managing bushfires – a recurring and significant threat across the country.

As part of the launch event at the RFS hangar in Bankstown, Sydney, the critical real-world operations of aerial firefighting were brought to life within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with an exclusive firefighting mission. Players were tasked to use water bombing to put out a fire near Coffs Harbour through the eyes of a virtual pilot, directly connecting the game to the daily heroism and operational realities of the RFS.

A comprehensive digital asset pack including high-resolution screenshots, gameplay trailers and vision of the above mission is available here. We also have exciting content captured live from the RFS event here for your consideration!

Beyond this impactful collaboration, World Update 21: Australia enriches the region with meticulously crafted enhancements designed to immerse every new and returning Simmer:

30+ Hand-Crafted Points of Interest (POIs): Explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems, from the vibrant urban sprawl of Sydney to the vast landscapes of the Outback. Fly high over new BIG POI’s including The Big Koala, The Big Mango and The Big Golden Guitar.
Engaging Discovery Flights: Embark on new guided tours over breathtaking regions like, the pristine Whitsundays, the remote Cocos Islands and the nation’s capital, Canberra.
New Activities: Master four Precision Landings (MSFS 2024), three Landing Challenges (MSFS 2020), one Bush Trip (MSFS 2020), two Low Altitude Challenges (MSFS 2024), and two Rally Race Challenges (MSFS 2024).
New Legendary Aircraft: Take to the skies in the iconic CAC Boomerang, an Australian-designed and manufactured fighter aircraft, adding a piece of unique aviation heritage to your hangar.

“Our World Updates are a cornerstone of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,” says 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. This focus allows us to truly celebrate Australia’s breathtaking natural beauty and unique aviation heritage. 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.”

The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 World Update 21: Australia is available now as a free download for all owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and with Xbox Cloud Gaming.

For more in-depth information on World Update 21: Australia, the NSW Rural Fire Service partnership, and to begin your Australian adventure, check out the full Xbox Wire post here.

The volunteers of the NSW RFS are at the heart of Australian resilience. If you would like to learn more about their vital work or volunteer your time, check out their page NSW RFS.