Geraldton’s First Flying Machine

This aircraft is a full-size replica of a Bristol Tourer, one of three planes that formed Australia’s first scheduled flight. In the 1920s, it connected remote communities to the wider world – flying mail, supplies, and passengers across vast distances.

Built from wood, wire, and canvas, the Bristol Tourer had an open cockpit and a cruising speed of just 100 km/h. It may seem fragile by today’s standards, but to early Mid West residents, it represented the future.

This replica honours the pioneering spirit of regional aviation and the brave pilots and passengers who helped bring the skies within reach.