The official animal of Australia is the Kangaroo. The official bird of Australia is the Emu. Both these animals appear on the Australian Coat of Arms. A Kanagaroo and an Emu? Common theory has it that the Kangaroo and the Emu are not particulary good at walking backwards, so they are symbolic of Australia's determination to move forward as a nation. Each State and Territory of Australia also have an animal, bird and floral symbol. For example, the animal symbol of New South Wales is a Platypus, the bird is a Kookaburra and the flower is a Waratah.