Australia's largest ever Paralympics squad will travel with the "aspirations and vast affection" of the entire nation to the Rio Games, the Governor-General has said at their farewell.
Australia is taking 169 athletes to the Paralympics in Rio, with the last group departing from Sydney Airport this morning.
The team is hoping to beat its London medal haul of 32 gold, 23 silver and 30 bronze, which saw Australia come in at fifth place.
As the Paralympians were preparing to fly to Brazil, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove told the team the entire country was behind them.
"For some of you it's a great adventure ... to all of you we say you go with the hopes, aspirations and vast affection of 24 million Australians."
"Importantly, what this team has got is ... an internal ethos which is unbreakable and unbeatable, we've seen this both on the score sheet and through the media," he said.
"This is the culmination of all your work over the past four years. Go get 'em."
Basketballers optimistic of medal
Four-time Paralympian and captain of the Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team, Brad Ness, said he was itching to compete.
"It's great to be here with the team, not just the wheelchair team but the whole Paralympic team, it's quite a big thrill, and I can't wait to get over there," he said.
"The build up has been really, really good, we're going in with some good form and hopefully that carries over into the tournament."
He said the Wheelchair Basketball Team was optimistic they could add a medal to the nation's tally.
"If we play to how we've trained and everything we've put into the process, we're hoping to be there at the end of a tournament with a medal, it's a tough ask - and you want gold obviously!" he said.
"The level of competition this year is a lot higher than even London, so it's going to be a battle but let's hope we can bring home the big one."
The Paralympics will start on September 7 and run until September 18.
