Koala
Found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia. The Koala is one of the few mammals that has fingerprints very similar to humans.
Wombat
Australian marsupial found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. They have an extraordinarily slow metabolism, taking around 14 days to complete digestion.
Echidna
Egg-laying mammal also commonly referred to as a spiny ant eater.
Kangaroo
There are 63 species. The pin was modelled after the Red Kangaroo.
Kookaburra
Carnivourous member of the Kingfisher family. The Kookaburra's laugh is well known, often heard in old Tarzan movies.
Platypus
Semi-aqatic mammal found in Eastern Australia, including Tasmania. This bizarre mammal is venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed and lays eggs!
Dolphin
There are 33 different species around the world, the most common being the Bottlenose Dolphin. They are warm-blooded mammals which breath air. They can often be seen surfing the waves at local Sydney beaches.
Fairy Penguin
The Australian name for the "Little Penguin". It is the smallest species of penguin about 43 cm (16 in) tall. It is mainly found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand. Like most seabirds, they have a long lifespan. The average for the species is 6.5 years, but flipper ringing experiments have recorded individuals that have lived for over 20 years.
Humpback Whale
Approximately 3,000 will migrate each season between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
Fruit Bat
The pin was modelled after the Grey-Headed Flying-Fox, thousands of which can be seen hanging from the trees in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. It is a member of the Megabats of which there are about 170 species globally. These larger bats feed on nectar, pollen and fruit.
Gecko
There are around 750 gecko species in the world with 91 Australian species. Geckos are found in a range of predominantly warm climatic conditions. Australian geckos are largely nocturnal, feeding on a wide variety of arthropods and termites with most activity occurring during the first few hours after sunset. They are capable of vocalisation in the form of a wheezing squeak or bark. Their name is a direct imitation of that sound.
Tasmanian Devil
Its spine-chilling screeches, black colour, and reputed bad-temper, led the early European settlers to call it The Devil. Although only the size of a small dog, it can sound and look incredibly fierce. Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is threatening its existence. As at December 2008, the DFTD had been confirmed at 64 different locations across more than 60% of Tasmania's mainland.
Tasmanian Tiger
Now extinct, the thylacine was shy and secretive and always avoided contact with humans. Despite its common name, 'tiger' it had a quiet, nervous temperament compared to its little cousin, the Tasmanian devil. Captured animals generally gave up without a struggle, and many died suddenly, apparently from shock.
Tree Frog
Found mainly in Queensland, it can reach 10 cm in length and can live up to 16 years in captivity. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.
Ulysses Butterfly
The Ulysses butterfly has a wingspan of about 14 cm. It lives in northeastern Australia along the coast of Queensland inhabiting tropical rainforest areas and suburban gardens. Males are strongly attracted to blue objects which they mistake for females.
Gum Leaf
A common term for the Eucalyptus leaf. There are more than 700 species of Eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia, and a very small number are found in adjacent parts of New Guinea and Indonesia and one as far north as the Philippines. Only 15 species occur outside Australia, and only 9 do not occur in Australia.
G'day
Abbreviation for 'good day'. Used by locals as a greeting instead of 'hello'. Often used in phrases such as "G'day mate, how's it going?"
Thong (Flip Flop)
Many Australians wear them from birth to death. Most often seen at the beach but they can also be spotted at gala performances and exclusive restaurants!
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Locally referred to as 'The Coathanger'. It is the world's widest long-span bridge and the tallest steel arch bridge.
Sydney Opera House
Completed in 1973. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
Parliament House
Located in Canberra, the capital of Australia, it was opened on 9 May 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II. Its construction cost was over $1.1 billion. At the time of its construction it was the most expensive building in the Southern Hemisphere. Prior to 1988, the Parliament of Australia met in the Provisional Parliament House, which is now known as "Old Parliament House".
Pins: $AUD 20
Australian Icon Pins
Our pins stylise some of the well known icons of Australia, a country rich in flora, fauna and interesting locations.
The pins are sculptured from silver plated pewter that has been oxidised and buffed to obtain a contemporary, antique look.
