A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet today carried out a surprise flyby mission around Tasmania.

The plane was first spotted along the northwest coast at Burnie, heading east towards Devonport around midday on Monday.

It was later seen over Deloraine and later Hobart, flying over the Derwent River.

The unexpected visitor did not appear on flight tracking apps, prompting a flurry of questions from local community groups, with many asking others what they had just heard.

It is understood the plane was on a routine training mission and would land at Hobart Airport to refuel before returning to the mainland.

The Air Force operates 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets, which it says “ensure Australia’s air combat capability advantage is maintained.”

The aircraft can perform air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops and interception of enemy supply lines, including maritime transport missions.