The emu is endemic to Australia and is the nation’s largest living bird. Found throughout Australia’s coastal regions, deserts, plains, forests and mountains, the emu is the world’s second largest bird. With wings that are too small for it to fly, the six-foot creature is equipped with long and powerful legs, enabling it to sprint at speeds of nearly 50km per hour. The emus’ primitive feathers, which resemble coarse hair, help them survive the extreme changes in temperature that can be experienced in the Australian outback.

The coin’s coloured reverse portrays an adult emu running across the Australian outback beneath a cloudy sky of captivating blue and violet hues. A shed with a windmill is featured amid the low grasses and rocky terrain.