Outback runner

Emus are important cultural icons in Australia and appear widely in Indigenous stories. Found across coastal regions, deserts, plains, forests and mountains, they are the world’s second‑largest bird. Though their wings are too small for flight, their long, powerful legs let them sprint up to 50km per hour. Their coarse, hair‑like feathers help them cope with the extreme temperature swings of the outback.

Near the farmland that borders the outback, emus often roam in small groups, striding through open farms and following fence lines or water sources. They move between fields in search of seeds, fruits and young shoots, sometimes appearing above crops like wheat or barley. Despite their size, they weave easily through scrub and pasture, becoming a familiar part of rural life and a reminder of the deep connection between Australia’s wildlife and its vast interior.

2026 emu design

Capturing an emu in action, the coin’s reverse portrays an adult emu running through an open paddock. The background includes a representation of a barn with a windmill. The inscription ‘AUSTRALIAN EMU’ appears within the design, along with the coin’s weight, purity, 2026 year-date, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.