She was, by now, one of the most famous aviatrix in the world and the public waited anxiously for the announcement of her next feat. They weren't disappointed. It was a flight from England to Auckland: across the world to the edge of the Empire.

Crowds of well wishers

She took off on the 5th of October 1936. It was 3.30am when she walked out to her aeroplane bathed in the autumn moonlight at the aerodrome, but there was already an enormous crowd of reporters, newsreel cameramen, photographers and fans gathered to see her off. As she crossed the English Channel the frightening enormity of the flight dawned on her: 14,000 miles, including 1300 miles over the treacherous Tasman. The Percival Gull performed brilliantly. She made Australia in six days, less than half the time it took to fly in the Gipsy Moth three years earlier, and a new solo record. Her arrival in Sydney rivalled her first as huge adoring crowds came out to see her. Although Australia wanted her to stay, she was determined to cross the Tasman. In the days leading up to her departure she had been criticised in a newspaper editorial for undertaking the flight because of the time and money it would cost to rescue her if she crashed in the Tasman. She replied, "If I go down in the sea no one must fly out and look for me. I have chosen to make this flight, and I am confident I can make it, but I have no wish to imperil the lives of others or cause trouble or expense to my country." She took off at 4.40am, October 16, 1936. The flight took 10 and a half hours, during which time thousands on both sides of the Tasman held their breath, waiting between regular news updates of her flight.

She said later that she almost "lost her nerve" flying across the Tasman. Encountering terrible weather, she was convinced she was off course. She did not see land until she was almost over it, and before she reached the Taranaki coast she had practically given up hope, despite her instruments telling her she was still on course.