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Expedition 🇦🇺 Australia

Emu in Australia

Australia's flightless giant — a shaggy ratite that sprints across the red centre and features on the national coat of arms.

Emu

The species

The emu is Australia's tallest native bird — a flightless runner standing up to two metres tall, with shaggy brown feathers, powerful legs, and a curious, bold temperament. Emus can sprint at 50 km/h and swim rivers when needed, roaming the outback in pairs or small groups.

Habitat in Australia

Open grassland, savanna woodland, and arid scrub across most of mainland Australia suit emus. They avoid dense forest and the driest deserts, and follow rainfall to find food and breeding opportunities.

Where to spot one

  • Great Ocean Road

    Victoria

    Coastal eucalyptus forest and Kennett River's wild koalas — one of the most reliable places to spot them in the wild.

    View on map →Official site →

  • Kangaroo Island

    South Australia

    Kangaroos, koalas, and sea lions on an island sanctuary off Adelaide — compact Australian wildlife in one place.

    View on map →Official site →

  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

    Northern Territory

    Red centre country where red kangaroos graze at dawn against the backdrop of Uluru.

    View on map →Official site →

  • Daintree Rainforest

    Queensland

    Ancient tropical forest at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef — cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and forest birds.

    View on map →Official site →

Conservation status

LC — Least Concern

Emus are Least Concern and abundant across Australia. They thrive in pastoral country and are farmed for meat, leather, and oil.

Keep exploring

Keep exploring

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Log the Emu in Australia

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