The Year of the Outback aims to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the Australian Outback. It gives recognition of its importance and to its contribution to the life of the nation. The official logo for the Year of the Outback proudly features on the $1 Aluminium Bronze mintmark coins.

The Outback is part of Australia, both geographically and ideologically, that has never been defined and may mean something different to every Australian.

To most of Australians it is simply 'out there', an intriguing area that invokes images of stricking colours, fascinating landscapes and vast distances. To those in the east it is out west, to those in the west it is somewhere back towards the east, while those in the north and south consider that it is somewhere out there in between them.

The Year of the Outback has been selected in 2002 to focus attention on inland Australia.

It is about Australia's future as a nation, about freeing the quintessential Spirit of the Outback so it touches every Australian and international visitor, giving them a genuine understanding of the uniqueness and potential of the Australian Outback.

The 2002 commemorative $1 coin celebrates that unique and timeless area of Australia - the Outback, and features the Year of the Outback logo in 'as struck' relief.