Home News Around Australia Air Centenary: Michael Smith’s solo circumnavigation of the country

Around Australia Air Centenary: Michael Smith’s solo circumnavigation of the country

By AG Staff • April 6, 2024
Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year, stands in the hatch of his plane before he sets off to recreate the first circumnavigation by air of Australia from RAAF Base Point Cook in 1924 in a twin engine modern Chaika LLC L65 Seabear aircraft named “Southern Sun”. Image credit: Michael Currie, RAAF
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Michael Smith is embarking on a high-flying marathon – recreating the legendary journey that became part of Australia’s avaiation history a century ago.

100 years ago, the first circumnavigation of Australia by aeroplane took place. Wing Commander James Goble and Flight Lieutenant McIntyre set off from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria on 6 April 1924. It was a journey that would take them 44 days to complete, and was not without its fair share of strife – including terrible weather and constant engine trouble – but it would see the flight dubbed by media at the time as “the finest in the history of aviation”.

To mark the 100th anniversary of this milestone, 2016 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year Michael Smith is retracing the path, matching date-for-date the journey of Goble and McIntyre. We’ll be following Mike on his Society-sponsored expedition. You can watch live feeds aboard Michael’s custom-built amphibious two-seater, single-engine Searey aircraft Southern Sun on his YouTube channel whenever he’s in flight, and follow along below on our blog.

Michael Smith's map recreating the route of the first circumnavigation of Australia 100 years on.
Michael Smith’s map recreating the route of the first circumnavigation of Australia 100 years on.

Wednesday 24 April

For those in Darwin who are looking to meet Michael, tomorrow afternoon is your chance to catch up with him and check out the Southern Sun! Take a look at his Instagram post below for more details.

Tuesday 23 April 2024

Michael’s moving on today to the Torres Strait’s Elcho Island! Check out some of the shots he captured from the air of this unspoilt spot.

Sunday 21 April 2024

Visiting Vanderlin Island, the Southern Sun makes a splash landing as Michael makes a planned stop to visit family there.

Saturday 20 April 2024

Taking some well-earned time out of the sky, Michael sets about exploring the stunning Torres Strait Islands.

Michael has arrived in the Torres Strait Islands, and he’s filed a video diary entry from Horn Island – check it out below.

Wednesday 17 April 2024

Michael has made it onto live TV! Check out his cross into the Today Show on Channel Nine from Cooktown, QLD.

Monday 15 April 2024

The latest video diary entry from Michael – this time, he’s filing from Cooktown in QLD where he’s spending a couple of nights to replicate the original flight around Australia.

Sunday 14 April 2024

An update on Michael’s journey from WIN News in Townsville!

Saturday 13 April 2024

Blue skies for Michael on a no-fly day in Townsville! Check out what he got up to on his Facebook post below.

Thursday 11 April 2024

Michael isn’t the only one circumnavigating Australia to mark 100 years since the feat was first accomplished. While above Townsville, the Southern Sun was joined by two RAAF EA-18 Growlers from 6 Squadron!

Check out this 360° video of the moment that allows you to move the camera around and watch the action from all angles!

Earlier in the day, tracking up the Queensland coast above Bowen en route to Townsville, Michael talks us through the Southern Sun’s latest leg. Make sure you keep up-to-date on his YouTube channel for live streams!

Tuesday 9 April 2024

Michael has filed his first video diary entry – watch now to see how he’s feeling after his first few days in the air (with his fair share of trouble)!

Monday 8 April 2024

The Southern Sun has made the news! Check out this report from 7NEWS Gold Coast as Michael made a brief stopover in Southport today.

Sunday 7 April 2024

Michael scored a spectacular bird’s eye view of Sydney Harbour late today as he made up time to get back on schedule – spending a night on the Myall Lake in the Mid North Coast region about 250km north of Sydney.

The wet weather affecting the Australian east coast this weekend also wreaks havoc on Michael’s trip – the wind and rain leading to some minor changes to plans as he tracks north, keeping a close eye on his radar.

DAY 2: Airborne (finally) from Bairnsdale, waved to my Mum on Raymond Island, now tracking the 90 mile beach, just…

Posted by Southern Sun on Saturday 6 April 2024

Saturday 6 April 2024

The big day has arrived! Michael was farewelled from RAAF Base Point Cook in Melbourne’s south-west by a small gathering of friends and family as he set out to recreate the first flight around Australia, exactly 100 years to the day from the historical event.

  • In front of two aircraft of the RAAF 100 Squadron, a (left) Sopwith Pup, and the (right) de Havilland Tiger Moth, with the (center) Chaika LLC L65 Seabear “Southern Sun” family, friends and supporters of Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year pose for a group photo before he leaves to recreate the first circumnavigation of Australia that took place 100 years ago. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear. Image Credit: Michael Currie, RAAF
  • In front of the 100 Squadron hanger at RAAF Base Point Cook and the Chaika LLC L65 Seabear “Southern Sun”, Wing Commander Robert Gill commanding officer of 21 Squadron presents Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year with a RAAF ensign to carry with him as he recreates the first circumnavigation by air of Australia that took place 100 years ago. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year, poses in front of his plane before he sets off to recreate the first circumnavigation by air of Australia from RAAF Base Point Cook in 1924 in a twin engine modern Chaika LLC L65 Seabear aircraft named “Southern Sun”. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year, waves from the hatch of his plane before he sets off to recreate the first circumnavigation by air of Australia from RAAF Base Point Cook in 1924 in a twin engine modern Chaika LLC L65 Seabear aircraft named “Southern Sun”. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year is welcomed with a wave by Wing Commander Robert Gill before he leaves to recreate the first circumnavigation of Australia from RAAF Base Point Cook in 1924 in a twin engine modern Chaika LLC L65 Seabear aircraft named “Southern Sun”. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Family, friends and supporters of Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year cheer and clap as he arrives in his Chaika LLC L65 Seabear “Southern Sun” at RAAF Base Point Cook before he leaves to recreate the first circumnavigation of Australia that took place 100 years ago. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year taxis before he leaves to recreate the first circumnavigation of Australia from RAAF Base Point Cook in 1924 in a twin engine modern Chaika LLC L65 Seabear aircraft named “Southern Sun”. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year takes off in his Chaika LLC L65 Seabear “Southern Sun” as he leaves RAAF Base Point Cook to recreate the first circumnavigation by air of Australia that took place 100 years ago. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.
  • Michael Smith, 2016 Adventurer of the Year takes off in his Chaika LLC L65 Seabear “Southern Sun” as he leaves RAAF Base Point Cook to recreate the first circumnavigation by air of Australia that took place 100 years ago. *** Local Caption *** Adventurer, Michael Smith is flying solo around the Australian coastline to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first flight around Australia by Air Force’s acting Chief of the Air Staff, Wing Commander S.J. (‘Jimmy’) Goble, and pilot, Flying Officer Ivor McIntyre in the original Fairey IIID seaplane A10-3. Starting from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Point Cook, outside Melbourne in his seaplane “SouthernSun” twin engine Chaika LLC L65 Seabear.

Michael Smith’s departure from RAAF Base Point Cook. Image Credit: Michael Currie, RAAF

Michael was presented with an RAAF ensign to carry with him for the journey by Wing Commander Robert Gill, Commanding Officer of 21 Squadron.

After his departure from RAAF Base Point Cook, Michael and the Southern Sun make their way along the Victorian coast towards Corner Inlet – watch the journey as it happened in the video below.

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