When Cathie Babis decided she was going to visit Australia to take part in an historic flight to circumnavigate the nation in a seaplane, she didn't anitcipate she would become the first female to do so.

Cathie is one of a group of pilots about to embark the a 60-day-trip, which kicked off in Queesnland last weekend.

Exactly 100 years ago to the day the Royal Australian Airforce begun that same journey, and tomorrow Cathie along with fellow pilots including Seaplane Pilots of Australia President David Geers will stop in Portland.

Cathie who is a US Army veteran with over 53 years of aviation experience - will also celebrate her 70th birthday on the expedition, and says she can't think of a better way to spend her birthday.

Liam Fitzgereald speaks to Cathie and David Geer ahead of them arriving in the region on Satuday.