Emus are known as important cultural icons in Australia and feature prominently in traditional Indigenous stories. Found throughout Australia’s coastal regions, deserts, plains, forests and mountains, the emu is the world’s second largest bird.

Unique in nature, the male emu will protect and incubate the eggs for eight weeks, rarely leaving the nest for food and water. Born with distinctive brown stripes for camouflage, emu chicks become independent around seven months of age.

The coin’s coloured reverse portrays an adult emu walking alongside five young chicks. The background includes a representation of a desert landscape with a blue sky and orange sun. The inscription ‘AUSTRALIAN EMU’ appears within the design, which also includes the coin’s weight, purity, 2026 year-date, and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.