From the dusty tracks of the Diamantina to the tropical savannahs of the north and the ancient beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles, Australia's rangelands are far more than remote landscapes - they are the heartbeat of the nation.
The Royal Australian Mint's latest release, Heart and Soul of Australia: International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, honours the people and places who call the vast red heart of Australia home - the people behind the food on our tables and the fibres in our clothes - and their stories of resilience and sense of community.
The intricate design captures the rugged essence of the Australian Rangelands. The main focus, a horse and its rider with a dog by their side, symbolises the enduring spirit of pastoral work. The country's agricultural foundations are emphasised by two sheep and a cow, anchored by a gnarled gum tree and crowned by a soaring wedge-tail eagle. The words 'Rangelands and Pastoralists' rim the central image, creating a sense of scale of the vast landscape where the scene takes place.
Royal Australian Mint director of Museum and Public Engagement Stuart Baines said the coins told a rarely thought of Australian story.
"This release recognises the Australians whose hands shape the land and sustain our way of life. Our pastoralists and rangeland communities carry generations of knowledge while caring for some of the world's most remarkable landscapes. Whether people realise it or not, all Australians benefit from their work," Mr Baines said.
Covering around 75 per cent of the country, Australia's rangelands are home to pastoralists, graziers and Aboriginal communities who manage the land with care, expertise and deep respect for the environment. These vast regions support millions of cattle and sheep, sustain rural communities and help deliver the clean, high-quality food and fibre Australia is renowned for around the world.
The rangelands are also rich in Indigenous culture and knowledge, shaped over countless generations. This enduring stewardship continues to guide sustainable land management practices while preserving some of the world's oldest living cultural landscapes.
According to the Australian Rangeland Society, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists will raise awareness of sustainable pastoralism while showcasing Australia's agricultural expertise on the global stage.
Australasian chair of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists committee Dr Dana Kelly said the coin was a little time capsule of the country's long pastoral story.
"The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists deserves national recognition in Australia because these lands are not a side story. Rangelands are where food security, biodiversity, climate mitigation and knowledge from lived experience, all meet. Pastoralists are the people holding those threads together every day.
"I hope this coin quietly reminds every Australian that when we buy beef, lamb, goat, or grain, or when we wear wool or cotton, we're connected to families and communities who manage the vast outback country with skill and care," Dr Kelly said.
Recognised by the United Nations, 2026 marks the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, placing a global spotlight on the ecological, cultural and economic significance of these extraordinary landscapes and the people who dedicate their lives to them.
The Mint's Heart and Soul of Australia: International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists stands alone as the world's only coin marking this internationally recognised year. It draws attention to the critical contribution of rangelands and pastoralists to communities, economies and ecosystems worldwide.
The coins are available in two formats - a 2026 $1 Uncirculated coin in card and a 2026 $1 Silver Proof coin.
The Heart and Soul of Australia: International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists is available to purchase from 8.30am on Wednesday, 15 July from the Royal Australian Mint and authorised distributors.
