In fact, some of the most iconic logos of all time are spruced out with Australian animals. This article covers five of our favourites.
Background: Australian Wildlife in the Media Landscape
From Crocodile Dundee to Picnic at Hanging Rock, the wildlife of Australia is a familiar sight in popular media. The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has played a key role in exposing people around the world to the incredible animals and plants that can be found Down Under. Beyond that, Australian wildlife in films has inspired fear and awe in audiences for decades, with sharks, creepy crawlies, snakes, and crocodiles terrorising protagonists and antagonists alike.
Of course, it’s not always negative. Movies like Skippy the Bush Kangaroo portray Australia’s animals in a far better light – though they’ve done little to convince people that the country isn’t actually a giant death trap filled with dangerous, man-eating monsters!
Nevertheless, films and TV shows that depict wildlife from Australia are just one piece of the puzzle. Companies in a myriad of industries and sectors have chosen native Australian animals to feature in their logos, too.
Our Top 5 Favorite Logos that Feature Australian Wildlife
Kooka’s Country Cookies
Folky, hearty, and downright delicious… you really can’t go wrong with any of Kooka’s Country Cookies’ products. Whether they’re smothered in chocolate or have a jammy centre, these biscuits are absolutely iconic in Australia – no afternoon tea would be complete without them.
And, of course, the classic kookaburra laughs features on the Kooka’s Country Cookies logo, too. This is blatant Australiana at its finest… and we love it!
The Australian Government
The Australian Government’s logo must be one of the most eye-catching and distinctive to be used by a governing body ever. Australia’s coat of arms is emblazoned not only with a kangaroo on the left side, but it also features an emu on the right.
You might be surprised to learn that there’s a deeper reason for this than the fact that both creatures are native to Australia. They’re included for symbolic reasons, too; neither the emu, nor the kangaroo, is capable of walking or otherwise moving backwards.
So, when the Australian coat of arms was first authorised for use by King Edward VII in 1908, it was believed that, by including the kangaroo and emu, the country and her people would be inspired to adopt a mentality of progress and growth, rather than stagnation.
While we love the logo, not everyone has historically felt so enthusiastic about it. The design of the coat of arms was fiercely debated in Australian parliament, with Wentworth’s MP, Willie Kelly, stating that he worried that Australians ‘…[made] ourselves ridiculous when we endeavour to carry on the traditions of the Old World with some of the wild creations of our Australian fauna.’
Lacoste
‘Fashion, turn to the left! Fashion, turn to the right!’ Lacoste has made a name for itself as one of the most popular manufacturers of tennis gear worldwide, and the brand has gone on to establish itself in the world of fashion more generally, too.
The iconic brand has been constantly reinventing its image since René Lacoste first launched it all the way back in the 1930s. From dedicated sportswear to lifestyle shoes, Lacoste has pretty much done it all by now; devotees love the clean lines and minimalist take on sportswear that it represents.
And, of course, the charming crocodile logo really seals the deal. Simply having it on a polo shirt, pair of shirts, or shoes adds tremendous value to the garment – it’s easily one of the most recognisable logos worldwide.
QANTAS
With a reputation for being the world’s safest airline, QANTAS is iconic thanks to its bold, red and white logo. And, of course, the classic kangaroo is front and centre! It looks eye-catching and very distinctive on the tails of the planes in the QANTAS fleet, standing out even among countless other carriers in the skies.
Crocs
Have you ever seen a cuter crocodile than the one that features on the Crocs logo? We sure haven’t (crocodiles aren’t usually what you’d describe as ‘cute,’ to be fair), and this is arguably a major part of why Crocs as a brand is so appealing in the first place, especially to kids. The cute unnamed crocodile that features in its branding is memorable and, of course, the inspiration behind the name in the first place.
And, while some fashion lovers might not be too thrilled about it, you can’t really deny that Crocs are back with a bang. Some love them for their practicality, while others favour Crocs because they’re just so damn comfortable. Regardless, the brand’s logo is easily one of the most iconic out there, and we’ve got the crocodile to thank for that.
