On November 15, Australia paused to honor the life and legacy of Steve Irwin — the Crocodile Hunter who wrestled crocodiles, captured hearts, and sparked a global passion for wildlife conservation. For Robert and Bindi Irwin, the day wasn’t just about the man the world knew; it was about their dad. Their tributes were filled not with tales of fame, but of quiet moments, shared laughter, and life lessons that still guide them.
Robert, now 20, shared a touching throwback photo of himself as a toddler in a small aluminum boat with his father. In the image, a youthful Steve leans toward his son, eyes full of pride, as Robert clutches a toy in his tiny hands. “November 15 is Steve Irwin Day and it’s so wonderful that Dad’s life and legacy is remembered and celebrated,” Robert wrote alongside the photo.
Bindi, 26, posted her own childhood snapshot — a grinning toddler with her father crouched beside her, holding a small snake playfully up to her face. “It’s Steve Irwin Day, and we’re celebrating the life and legacy of the original Wildlife Warrior,” she wrote. “How incredible that one man changed the world, igniting a passion for wildlife conservation across the globe!”
Steve Irwin’s story has been told countless times, but for his family, it’s still deeply personal. He died on September 4, 2006, at just 44 years old, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming on the Great Barrier Reef. Bindi was only six at the time. Robert was three months shy of his third birthday. The loss was immeasurable, but his family has carried his mission forward with fierce dedication.
At the Australia Zoo — originally founded by Steve’s father, Bob Irwin, in 1970 — Bindi, Robert, their mother Terri, and Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell continue to care for wildlife and educate visitors. Their Animal Planet series, Crikey! It’s the Irwins, has brought new generations into the world Steve so passionately loved. Beyond the cameras, the family’s non-profit, Wildlife Warriors, funds conservation work around the globe.
In September, marking 18 years since Steve’s passing, the Irwins shared never-before-seen images of him. Bindi posted a shot of her dad holding a massive crocodile, writing, “It is an honour to help continue the work you started. Your legacy lives on… Hope to make you proud.” Robert posted a candid photo of Steve in a boat filming a lunging crocodile — his caption simply a heart and crocodile emoji.
Steve Irwin Day is more than a remembrance. It’s a promise kept — that his boundless energy, compassion for animals, and belief in protecting the natural world will never fade. Through every crocodile rescued, every injured koala treated, and every child taught to care for wildlife, Steve’s wild spirit still roams. And for Robert and Bindi, their dad isn’t just a legend. He’s the reason they do what they do, every single day.
