Australia: fly there by BOAC and Qantas

A radiant tribute to 1950s Australia, this iconic travel poster by Albert Hayes perfectly captures the luminous, optimistic aesthetic of the golden age of air travel. Commissioned by BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) and Qantas Empire Airways, it was part of a joint marketing effort to promote Australia as a dream destination for holidaymakers across the British Commonwealth.

Rendered in a bold and colorful style, the image features a smiling young woman in a vibrant red swimsuit holding a bright yellow surfboard against a stylized ocean backdrop. The strong visual contrast, idealized figure, and carefree energy all reflect the visual language of postwar “pin-up” glamour and mid-century commercial art.

More than just advertising, this poster is a graphic manifesto for early international tourism — embodying both the technical progress of long-haul air travel and the colonial-era fantasy of distant paradises. Here, Australia is portrayed as a sun-soaked, carefree land of leisure and freedom — a Southern dreamland, just one flight away.

Printed on coated paper in a mid-size format, this rare piece stands out for its vibrant color retention, period typography, and discreet artist’s signature. Its timeless style places Hayes among the great illustrators of postwar airline advertising.