Celebrating the Heart and Soul of Australia

2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), as unanimously voted by the United Nations general assembly. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of rangelands and pastoralists as their frontline custodians. In Australia, this means celebrating our iconic outback and the people who live there. About 75 per cent of Australia's land mass is classified as rangelands, and is home to many First Nations people, pastoralists and graziers.

We commemorate this event with two special $1 coins, honouring and appreciating our extraordinary rangelands, the people that look after them, and the ecological, cultural and economic value they hold. They are the heart and soul of Australia.

Design Features

The $1 coin design captures the rugged essence of the Australian Rangelands, with elements drawn from the IYRP logo. The focus is a horse and rider with a dog, representative of the enduring spirit of pastoral work. The sheep and cow represent Australia's agricultural foundations. In the background we see a gnarled gum tree, the outline of mountains and soaring wedge-tailed eagle, demonstrating the vastness of the rangelands. The coin is framed with the text 'Rangelands and Pastoralists'.

Australian Rangelands and Pastoralists

Rangelands are often associated in Australia with the outback, but they are broader than that. They make up most of Australia's land mass and include grasslands, open plains, deserts and savannahs. Key industries in the rangelands include agriculture, mining and tourism. The beauty of these vast landscapes attracts tourists, while the savannahs, woodlands and open grass plains support millions of cattle and sheep, vital for Australia's export economy.

Pastoralist are defined by IYRP Australia as 'the people who manage the livestock, the pastures and landscapes of the rangelands'. A pastoralist could be a grazier, producer, drover, stockman, jackaroo or jillaroo, or First Nations person caring for Country. The heartland of Australia, rangelands sustain pastoral and Indigenous cultures, including local knowledge developed over many generations of life on the land.

Availability

From Wednesday 15 July 2026 (8:30am AEST)

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