can you visit steve irwin's grave

The Real Reason Nobody Knows Where Steve Irwin Is Buried

"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin  died in 2006, but his legacy lives on through his surviving children,  Bindi and Robert , and wife Terri, who continue to run the Australia Zoo founded by his parents. In fact, when Bindi was celebrating her first Mother's Day in 2021, she posted a portrait on Instagram that featured her dearly departed father holding baby girl Grace, noting, "I wish we could all be together but sometimes life has other plans." The dedicated animal rights activist told The Bump , "I want to make sure our baby girl gets to know my dad and thankfully we have many documentaries and photos we can share with her. I think she'll love getting to watch footage of Dad working with all kinds of animals and learning about his legacy."

General interest in the legendary Crocodile Hunter remains high, too, with Aussie site Woman's Day reporting in May 2021 that the long-rumored biopic about him is still in the works, with major celebs including Russell Crowe and Chris Hemsworth vying for the lead role. There was a global outpouring of grief when Steve died at the early age of 44 following a deadly encounter with a stingray midway through shooting a wildlife documentary in Queensland. Although his life was an open book, wife Terri made it clear that, when it comes to Steve's final resting place, fans will be left wanting.

The Crocodile Hunter's final wishes were honored accordingly

According to the Sydney Morning Herald , stories circulated in the aftermath of  Steve Irwin's death that claimed he had been buried within the confines of the Australia Zoo, in Queensland, or alternatively cremated. The ceremonial trappings allegedly included a crocodile. There were also suggestions his remains had been fed to crocodiles which his wife, Terri, shot down as "baseless" and "offensive." According to Steve's father, Bob, discussion of the burial is "strictly taboo." He noted, "The only person who is likely to talk is Terri. You would have to get the OK before I said anything.” A family friend claimed Terri made her husband's allegedly unconventional last wishes clear and was in charge of everything. 

Steve reportedly considered himself not important enough for a state funeral. Instead,  the ceremony took place at the zoo, with decoys utilized to throw the media off the scent at the time. His body arrived by car at Australia Zoo, leading many to believe the beloved conservationist was buried there. There was also a BBQ and a marquee set up at one stage, seemingly hinting that Steve's wake took place on the property, too. In a subsequent interview, Terri advised simply, ”Steve had particular wishes for after he died and I carried out his particular wishes." She added, ”He lived life so big that he just wanted some personal privacy at that point, and I gave him that. So, there's just a handful of people who will ever know.”

Bob Irwin can't visit his son Steve Irwin's burial site at Australia Zoo because of bitter family feud

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Bob Irwin, father of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Photo / Getty Images

Bob Irwin's close friend Amanda French, who co-wrote Irwin's autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, has dropped some truth bombs in a revealing radio interview.

Speaking to Brisbane's Stav, Abby and Matt, Amanda expressed her sadness over the comments that Bindi Irwin had made about her grandfather this week, saying that he had "psychologically abused" her.

Amanda confirmed that there has been a rift in the family for quite some time now, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

"Bob resigned from Australia Zoo in 2008 and hasn't seen the kids since that time. It's a surprise with what Bindi came out and said. There were some pretty weighty terms that were thrown around, psychological abuse and all that stuff. You'd have to have some pretty big evidence to back that. It's a pretty big call to make," she said.

As to what happened between Bob and Australia Zoo, Amanda says he will take it to his grave, but has alluded to how management changed when Steve passed away. "He's maintained a very neutral position about it [resigning] even when he published his autobiography.

"The reason why he did that is because he knew there would be consequences for Australia Zoo. He didn't see eye-to-eye on issues to do with Australia Zoo at the time and some of the animals."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)

Interestingly, Amanda did confirm that Bob had returned gifts sent from the family, which is something that Bindi said, but admitted that they were only ever sent from Terri, not the kids, and that they were incredibly "strange".

"I've been there when he's received gifts, and it was a shower cap. Really strange thing to send a man. To me it's a passive aggressive thing to do, that's my perspective. After a while of that Bob returned one of the gifts."

One trigger point for Amanda was Bindi's comments about how her family has maintained financially supporting Bob, despite having no relationship with him.

"He gave them that zoo," Amanda said, reminding everyone that it was gifted to Steve and Terri when they got married. "There was always an agreement that he would be on a pension and looked after."

Quite horribly, the worst part for Bob in Amanda's eyes is the fact that his son, Steve's burial site is in the zoo, somewhere he cannot go to visit.

"It's hard for him not to be able to return to his son's resting place as you can understand. He hasn't been back to Australia Zoo since the wildlife hospital was launched in 2008. It was supposed to be dedicated to Bob and his late wife Lynne, because that was where Lynne did the bulk of her wildlife work.

"They retracted Bob's invitation to attend that launch and he turned up anyway. I organised that event and I remember him turning up on the day and sitting in the audience looking very upset."

Amanda is obviously quite close to the family, and maintains that Bob is a good person. In fact, she revealed that many staff members have left the zoo while it has been under Terri's management with similar issues to what Bob had.

"When I went back to write the book and spoke to those key people who worked with Bob and Steve, there was still some bad blood there with how they were treated. They adored them [Bob and Steve], and never had a boss like them again."

While writing the book, she admits that Bob tried to send his grandchildren letters, but were unsure whether or not they were receiving them because they went through so many people at the zoo, "so we decided to close off the book with a message to his grandkids".

She notes that it would be hard for Bob to get in contact with his grandchildren without Terri being involved.

Bindi Irwin made the unsettling allegations against her grandfather, Bob Irwin in her Father's Day post (Father's Day outside of Australia was June 20), dedicated to her own father, her husband, Chandler Powell, and her father-in-law. Irwin was asked why she left Bob out of the tribute, with the 22-year-old new mum not holding back with her response.

"Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family," she wrote, according to 7News.

"He has returned gifts I've sent him after he opened them, he has ignored my correspondence and from the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me," Bindi wrote.

"He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship.

"I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health," she added.

"I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain."

Bindi has since announced that she would be taking a break from social media to look after her mental health.

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Shock new claims emerge that Bob Irwin has 'never visited' son Steve's grave at Australia Zoo and 'hasn't seen Bindi or Robert since 2008'

By Nicole Douglas For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:03 EDT, 22 June 2021 | Updated: 07:19 EDT, 23 June 2021

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One of Bob Irwin's close friends has made more claims about the infamous Irwin rift, which exploded on Sunday after Bindi's bombshell Facebook comment that he had 'ignored her' since she was a child.

Amanda French, who co-authored Bob's 2016 autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, claims the 82-year-old has said 'nothing but great things' about Bindi and Robert – before confirming he hasn’t seen the pair since leaving the zoo in 2008.

Amanda also said to B105’s Stav, Abby and Matt that Bob has not been able to visit his Crocodile Hunter son Steve's grave inside Australia Zoo since the same time, a move which has been 'hard' for the grieving father.

Inner circle: Amanda French (right), who co-authored Bob's (left) 2016 autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, said on Tuesday that the 82-year-old has said 'nothing but great things' about Bindi and Robert – before confirming he hasn’t seen them since leaving the zoo in 2008

'Steve's burial place is inside the zoo... That's hard for him, not to be able to return to his son's resting place. He hasn't been back to Australia Zoo since 2008,’ she said.

In her Facebook post, Bindi had claimed that Bob had returned some of the gifts she had sent over the years.

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And while Amanda claims that this is true, she gave 'context' as to why he decided to give back some of the gifts to the family.

'They haven't had a relationship since 2007 or 2008, which was the last time he saw the kids,' she said.

'The gifts were returned were because they were odd. I've been there when he's been sent an anniversary gift for example, which was a shower cap.'

Sadness: 'Steve's burial place is inside the zoo... That's hard for him, not to be able to return to his son's resting place. He hasn't been back to Australia Zoo since 2008,’ Amanda said of Bob

Confusion: Ms French added that Bob always says positive things about Bindi and Robert, adding: 'He says they're always welcome if they ever turned up. But I think it would be hard for Bob to ring up Australia Zoo and be like - can we fix this?' Pictured from left: Robert, Terri and Bindi Irwin

She added that Bob always says positive things about Bindi and Robert, adding: 'He says they're always welcome if they ever turned up. But I think it would be hard for Bob to ring up Australia Zoo and be like - can we fix this?'

The Irwin family feud was blasted wide open on Sunday when Bindi responded to a fan on Facebook who criticised her decision to exclude Bob from a post she'd written about 'the fathers in [her] life'.

Bindi had uploaded a sweet post celebrating Father's Day in the USA, saying she was thankful for the 'three most incredible fathers in her life': her late father Steve Irwin, her husband Chandler Powell and her father-in-law Chris.

When one fan asked why she hadn't included her grandfather - Steve's father, Bob - Bindi gave an uncharacteristically raw account of their relationship, claiming he'd ignored her since she was a 'little girl'.

Speaking out: Bindi wrote, 'I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family'

The mother of one wrote: 'I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.'

She went on to claim that Bob had 'returned gifts I've sent after he opened them', and ignored any letters sent from her.

'From the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me,' she continued.

'He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.'

Thankful: Bindi had commented on a Father's Day post celebrating the 'three most incredible fathers in her life', her late father Steve, her husband Chandler and her father-in-law Chris

She went on to say that her mother Terri still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but claims they have received no reply.

'We have also been his financial support since 1992 when he retired from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week,' she added.

'We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing.

'I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health.

'I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain.'

Bindi, who welcomed her daughter Grace in March, concluded by saying she had to 'choose to care for her own mental health now'.

Family: Bob is the father of the legendary 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin, who died in 2006. Pictured: The family in 2004

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Bob Irwin can’t visit his son Steve Irwin’s burial site at Australia Zoo because of bitter family feud

The Irwin family feud continues to play out publicly, as it’s claimed Terri Irwin sent Steve’s father Bob strange “passive aggressive” gifts.

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Bob Irwin’s close friend Amanda French, who co-wrote his Irwin’s autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter has dropped some truth bombs in a revealing radio interview.

Speaking to Brisbane’s Stav, Abby and Matt , Amanda expressed her sadness over the comments that Bindi Irwin had made about her grandfather this week , saying that he had ‘psychologically abused’ her.

Amanda confirmed that there has been a rift in the family for quite some time now, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.

“Bob resigned from Australia Zoo in 2008 and hasn’t seen the kids since that time. It’s a surprise with what Bindi came out and said. There were some pretty weighty terms that were thrown around, psychological abuse and all that stuff. You’d have to have some pretty big evidence to back that. It’s a pretty big call to make,” she said.

RELATED: Family hit back at Bindi: ‘Stop the lies’

As to what happened between Bob and Australia Zoo, Amanda says he will take it to his grave, but has alluded to how management changed when Steve passed away. “He’s maintained a very neutral position about it [resigning] even when he published his autobiography.

“The reason why he did that is because he knew there would be consequences for Australia Zoo. He didn’t see eye-to-eye on issues to do with Australia Zoo at the time and some of the animals.”

Interestingly, Amanda did confirm that Bob had returned gifts sent from the family, which is something that Bindi said, but admitted that they were only ever sent from Terri, not the kids, and that they were incredibly “strange”.

“I’ve been there when he’s received gifts, and it was a shower cap. Really strange thing to send a man. To me it’s a passive aggressive thing to do, that’s my perspective. After a while of that Bob returned one of the gifts.”

RELATED: Bob Irwin reveals his final day with Steve

One trigger point for Amanda was Bindi’s comments about how her family has maintained financially supporting Bob, despite having no relationship with him.

“He gave them that zoo,” Amanda said, reminding everyone that it was gifted to Steve and Terri when they got married. “There was always an agreement that he would be on a pension and looked after.”

The worst part for Bob in Amanda’s eyes is the fact that his son, Steve’s burial site is on the zoo, somewhere he cannot go to visit.

“It’s hard for him not to be able to return to his son’s resting place as you can understand. He hasn’t been back to Australia Zoo since the wildlife hospital was launched in 2008. It was supposed to be dedicated to Bob and his late wife Lynne, because that was where Lynne did the bulk of her wildlife work.

“They retracted Bob’s invitation to attend that launch and he turned up anyway. I organised that event and I remember him turning up on the day and sitting in the audience looking very upset.”

Amanda is obviously quite close to the family, and maintains that Bob is a good person. In fact, she revealed that many staff members have left the zoo while it has been under Terri’s management with similar issues to what Bob had.

“When I went back to write the book and spoke to those key people who worked with Bob and Steve, there was still some bad blood there with how they were treated. They adored them [Bob and Steve], and never had a boss like them again.”

While writing the book, she admits that Bob tried to send his grandchildren letters, but were unsure whether or not they were receiving them because they went through so many people at the zoo, “so we decided to close off the book with a message to his grandkids”.

She notes that it would be hard for Bob to get in contact with his grandchildren without Terri being involved.

Bindi Irwin made the unsettling allegations against her grandfather, Bob Irwin in her Father’s Day post (Father’s Day outside of Australia was June 20), dedicated to her own father, her husband, Chandler Powell, and her father-in-law. Irwin was asked why she left Bob out of the tribute, with the 22-year-old new mum not holding back with her response.

“Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family,” she wrote, according to 7News .

“He has returned gifts I’ve sent him after he opened them, he has ignored my correspondence and from the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me,” Bindi wrote.

“He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship.

“I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health,” she added.

“I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain.”

Bindi has since announced that she would be taking a break from social media to look after her mental health .

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What Was Steve Irwin’s Memorial Like?

Updated 05/27/2022

Published 11/18/2020

Sherrie Johnson, BA in Liberal Studies

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Steve Irwin was known around the world as the “Crocodile Hunter.” People around the world watched the Australian explore the wild parts of the world and its deadliest animals.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• What Happened During Steve Irwin’s Funeral?
• Where Is Steve Irwin Buried?

Irwin’s fans received a major shock on September 4, 2006, when news reports filed that Irwin had been killed in a freak accident with a stingray. Known and loved the world over, thousands attended his funeral service and millions watched from across the globe.

What Happened During Steve Irwin’s Memorial?

Unlike many celebrity funerals , Irwin’s funeral service was a private affair with only family in attendance. Irwin’s father decided he would have wanted a small family gathering and nothing more, though he could have had a state funeral. Though the funeral itself was intimate, thousands of people attended the memorial later on in person and millions watched online.

Location and date

Irwin’s memorial service, held on September 20, 2006, took place at the Australia Zoo, which Irwin and his wife ran. The memorial service was held in the most fitting place possible for the crocodile lover — his “Crocoseum.”

The Crocoseum was an area inside the park that Irwin loved the most. It was there that he put on his crocodile shows, feeding untethered crocs for awed crowds and fans. This was also the location where he filmed some of his TV shows for the wildly popular “Crocodile Hunter” show that aired around the world. 

Five thousand people, including politicians, actors, and other important Australian society members, attended the memorial in person. Another three million people watched the service as it was live-streamed around the world. In Australia, the country nearly came to a halt as people watched on TV and listened in their cars. For Irwin’s native country, and for many around the world, his memorial service was iconic.

Virtual funeral tip: Virtual funerals aren't just for celebrities with millions of fans around the world. If your funeral attendees can't attend due to distance, travel restrictions, or other factors, you can host a virtual or hybrid funeral, too. A service like  GatheringUs  can help you plan, set up, and host the event. 

Order of service

Irwin’s memorial service was filled with both tear-provoking and laughter-inducing moments. It was a memorable mix of spoken tributes, video footage of Irwin doing what he loved most, live and streamed guest appearances, and surprise appearances by some of the animals that Irwin loved most. 

Though much can be learned about Irwin’s life from the memorial service itself, reading one of the many accounts of his obituary will fill you in on more details of his life and legacy. As with all famous obituaries , variations were published around the world.

Opening words

The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honorable John Howard, opened the memorial service with the following words, “My fellow Australians, we gather in this special place that Steve created to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and a remarkable Australian.” He noted how loved Irwin was by all in Australia and made mention of the fact that Steve was a good man who was “direct, genuine, and oh, so Australian.”

Friends and family members, politicians and actors, zoo staff, and members of his crew gave speeches. 

Wes Mannion, Irwin’s best friend

Wes Mannion, Irwin’s best friend, or “mate,” gave a brief speech for Irwin’s memorial service, he recounted the very first time Irwin convinced him to feed a crocodile. After that first time feeding a crocodile, he caught Irwin’s vision for wildlife preservation and went on countless adventures with Irwin. Together the two traveled throughout Australia and around the world, exploring and finding some of the world’s wildest creatures. 

Though Irwin was known for his role as Australia’s “Crocodile Hunter,” Wes stated that Irwin’s greatest achievement was as a dad. He said, “His love and dedication to his children have been inspiring.” 

Bob Irwin, Irwin’s father

Irwin got his love for adventure and wildlife from his father, Bob. They were incredibly close while working at the zoo that Bob started and joining together for the preservation of endangered species. Bob gave a short but pointed speech to those in attendance, pointing out that not only would all of humanity miss his son, but the animals he gave his life to protect.

Bob’s words were emotional and poignant. “Ladies and gentlemen, please don’t grieve for Steve. He’s at peace now. But I’d like you to grieve for the animals. The animals have lost the best friend they ever had. And so have I.”

Bindi Irwin, Irwin’s daughter

Only eight years old at the time of her father’s death, Bindi was remarkably poised and calm during the memorial service. She made her family proud as they looked on from their seats in the stands and listened as she read her speech. When she took to the platform, she received a standing ovation. When she finished, she received another.

He set her on a course for a life following in her father’s footsteps of preserving the world’s endangered species.

“My daddy was my hero. He was always there for me when I needed him. I don’t want Daddy’s passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I had the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile, I will always think of him.”

John Stainton, producer/director of ‘The Crocodile Hunter’

John Stainton was the producer/director of Irwin’s shows, including “The Crocodile Hunter.” He opened his speech by saying, “Today I want to share with you the way he changed my life forever.” 

He went on to talk about how Irwin contributed to the TV shows they recorded by being in front of the camera and behind it as well. John clearly stated that Irwin was the reason why the shows grew in popularity and became what they did — “must-watch TV.”

Songs and poems

At Irwin’s funeral, people sang songs and read poetry. Each song or poem represented a specific facet of his life and all combined to describe the late naturalist through lyrics and music.

Dr. Eve Fesl, Gubbi Gubbi Tribe 

A leader of one of Australia’s native tribes, Dr. Eve Fesl, read a poem in tribute to Irwin. The moving words visibly affected the audience, bringing many to tears. Her poem tribute read, “At dawn, the magpies sing and by day the black cockatoo wing their way across the sunny sky. The koala, possum, dingo, and carpet snake are silent on the land below. A mist covers the mountains. We and our land are crying for you.” 

At the end of the poem, she led the entire audience in a farewell cry, led by a member of the Gubbi Gubbi tribe.

John Williamson, Australian singer/songwriter

John Williamson is a folk singer as well known to the Australians as George Strait or Dolly Parton is to Americans. During the memorial, he led the crowd in two songs called “Home Among the Gum Trees” and “True Blue.” Both songs speak about a love for Australia, best friendship, and adventures in the wild outback he and Irwin both call home.

Animal appearances

Irwin loved every animal he ever met. You can watch video footage of him carrying koalas, wrestling crocks, and holding all sorts of animals from snakes to monkeys. As a special tribute, three of his favorite elephants were brought out during the memorial service. Siam, Sabu, and Bimbo all got a special feeding by Bob and Bindi Irwin in tribute to the way Irwin would feed the elephants at his park.

Celebrity appearances

Many celebrities offered support to the Irwin family: Larry King, Kevin Costner, Kelly Ripa, Justin Timberlake, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Cameron Diaz. Though not physically present, each celebrity sent video messages played as part of the memorial service.

Russell Crowe stated, “We’ve all lost a friend,” and Justin Timberlake said, “I’ll never forget what I learned just by being around Steve.” Cameron Diaz voiced the thoughts of many parents around the world when she said, “Every kid was in love with the idea of being him.”

The empty chair

They left a single chair vacant between Irwin’s wife and his father as a poignant representation of the vacancy Irwin’s absence left in the hearts and lives of friends, family, and adoring fans.

Where is Steve Irwin Buried?

His closest family decided the final resting place for Irwin, and, to this day, the exact site remains unknown to the world at large.

Along with the funeral, Irwin’s graveside service was a private family and close friends-only affair. No media or reporters were allowed to be part of the intimate gathering. Though surprising to many, Irwin’s wife planned it this way to abide by her late husband’s wishes. 

Though many speculate that Irwin was laid to rest somewhere at the Australia Zoo, no family members or friends have disclosed the exact location of the gravesite.

If you’re planning to try and view the famous zookeeper’s final resting place, you might be disappointed to learn that, unlike some famous graves , Irwin’s grave is inaccessible. Outside of immediate family members and close friends, no one knows the location of his final resting place. There is a memorial set up at the Australia Zoo, but no grave is accessible. 

A Man Known and Loved by All

Steve Irwin was a larger-than-life character who captivated the hearts and imaginations of children and adults around the world. Whether in life or in death, he will be remembered for his love of nature, the wild, and the great Australian Outback.

• Associated Press. “Private Funeral Held for Steve Irwin.” News, CBS News, 10 September 2006. cbsnews.com/news/private-funeral-held-for-steve-irwin/
• Associated Press. “Steve Irwin.” Obituaries, The Oklahoman, 7 September 2006. obits.oklahoman.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=steve-irwin&pid=19127166
• Associated Press. “Thousands Show for Steve Irwin’s Memorial Service in Australia.” Story, Fox News, 20 September 2006. foxnews.com/story/thousands-show-for-steve-irwins-memorial-service-in-australia
• Maynard, Roger. “Australia Stands Still for Steve Irwin’s Memorial.” World News, The Guardian, 21 September 2006. theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/21/australia.mainsection
• “Steve Irwin Memorial Service.” YouTube, 25 September 2007. youtube.com/watch?v=E_lobqdd0Uw
• Talbot, Louise. “Family, Stars Pay Tribute to Steve Irwin.” Celebrity, People, 20 September 2006. people.com/celebrity/family-stars-pay-tribute-to-steve-irwin/
• “Irwin Burial Details Stay Secret.” News Story, News Australia, 17 March 2009. news.com.au/national/irwin-burial-details-stay-secret/news-story/8e0927618910d5798348aebb1e1fd955?sv=2f3c5e4309d9ad34d8082c928fd011e8

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Visiting the Steve Irwin Zoo in Australia? Here’s Your Travel Guide

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Welcome to the Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin and his family. The Steve Irwin zoo is equal parts a glorious tribute to the master animal researcher and an incredible display of animal conservation. Whether or not you live in Australia, it is a bucket list item for fans of Earth’s gorgeous wildlife. Learn about the zoo’s history, what it does to help the species it houses, and what it’s like to experience this legendary animal haven.

What Is the Steve Irwin Zoo and How Was it Started?

The Steve Irwin zoo is called the Australia Zoo — they are the same thing. The Australia Zoo claims to be the ultimate wildlife adventure, and the Irwin family exudes this well through their passionate history of animal care.

The zoo’s humble beginnings started in 1970 as Steve Irwin practiced his natural animal caring skills under his mom’s tutelage. Steve became a legend after caring for reptiles and other creatures on a once two-acre facility, marrying his wife Terri, and starting to film their animal rescue experiences. The Crocodile Hunter television series caused the park to transform into the Australia Zoo. 

After the unfortunate interaction with a stingray that led to Steve’s death in 2006, the zoo remains a pillar of animal conservation, rehabilitation, and restoration. It is run by Terri and their children, Bindi and Robert. They educate people from all around the world and heal animals in their animal hospital.

What Animals Can You See at the Australia Zoo?

There are over 1,200 animals at the Australia Zoo from all over. They have sections for Australian natives and exotic animals. They have special zones for current conservation efforts, but these are only a few of the many magnificent creatures you’ll find during your zoo journey:

• Cassowaries
• Southern hairy-nosed wombats
• Tasmanian devils
• King cobras
• Bearded dragons
• Fresh- and saltwater crocodiles

You can also see some gorgeous flora native to the nation, from stunning birds of paradise to wheels of fire.

What Does the Australia Zoo Do for Animal Conservation?

The Australia Zoo manages all conservation and nonprofit activities with its Wildlife Warriors project. Over the years, they have rescued hurt animals, restored species, and reintroduced them safely into the wild. Their priorities shift with the animals’ needs, but these are some projects the zoo is currently working on:

• Women for Wildlife: A peaceful anti-poaching unit of women patrolling South Africa’s Olifants West Nature Reserve.
• Cambodian Elephants: When these beasts feed on local agriculture, it encourages farmers to kill on sight. These efforts work to find non-violent ways to discourage elephants from traversing farmlands so they remain safe while finding ways for them to stay fed and healthy.
• Australia Zoo Rescue Unit: An emergency response team dedicated to rescuing wildlife in danger from vehicles, disease, and other influences.

Additionally, the Australia Zoo promotes signing petitions that assist animals, throws the annual Steve Irwin Gala for larger donations, and allows visitors to “adopt” an animal.

Everything You’ll Want to Know If You’re Planning a Visit

The Australia Zoo is located on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, Queensland. As of November 2023, the park is open every day, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. 

Visitors can purchase single tickets or season passes , which range depending on your age, if you’re a student, group pricing, and if you want a sneak peek into the Animal Hospital. To get a ballpark idea, adult admission for the day starts at $64.95 and children between three and 14 get in at $41.95. Season passes are $139 for adults and $99 for children.

We saw how many amazing animals are on the property already. What other experiences can you expect at the Australia Zoo?

Let’s start with animal encounters. You know the Irwin family advocates hands-on learning if you have seen even five minutes of The Crocodile Hunter. They have many animal encounters, which you must purchase a separate ticket for. Each meeting has an assigned time, so plan your day accordingly. Here are some examples of some of the animals let visitors get up close and personal with, which are subject to change:

Sign up for a caddie tour if you don’t want to lead yourself through the park. You’ll get all of the mind-blowing commentary and education with the help of one of their many professionals. This is all alongside other attractions, like the Cheetah Grasslands and the Crocoseum, and conservation shows where the zoo shows how they care and feed the animals.

Finally, the Australia Zoo has the fantastic Zoo Keeper for a Day program. It encourages kids to come on school holidays to see what working with the animals is like.

What Does the Zoo Recommend to Do to Prepare?

Prepare for your day at the zoo the way the professionals would. Make a plan for what animals you care about to ensure you don’t miss anything. There is more than a day’s worth of animals and events to enjoy, so if this is potentially a one-time visit, create a schedule. The park has places to eat, but they also allow guests to bring drinks and snacks — just don’t feed the animals.

Let’s talk about the weather. Queensland gets hot, so wear sun protection. Additionally, you will want to bring clothes and shoes fit for water — the Laughing Frog Water Park is great for kiddos. 

Last but not least, you will want to bring a camera. This is one of the best zoos for getting crystal-clear shots of many animals. However, remain present and enjoy nature for what it is. You’ll treasure what your eyes see more than what the viewfinder does.

Steve Irwin’s Zoo Is a Fitting Tribute to His Legacy

Any animal lover would find Steve Irwin’s zoo a happy home for many creatures. It is a fitting haven for animals native to and outside of Australia. The staff caring for them have an unparalleled enthusiasm for animal care, which translates to their visitors. 

This level of dedication is essential for setting standards across all zoos. Conservation and education must always usurp profit and other motivations. The Australia Zoo also reminds us that all animals need protection, especially during the climate crisis.

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Farewell To Steve Irwin

September 19, 2006 / 10:57 PM EDT / CBS News

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Emotional farewell to 'crocodile hunter'

There was never any doubt it was going to be a quintessentially Australian experience and Steve Irwin's memorial service did not disappoint.

Five thousand people watched it in person and an estimated 300 million around the world tuned into live television coverage of the emotional farewell to the crocodile hunter.

Irwin's beloved Crocoseum, where he would entertain the crowds with his mix of showmanship and larrikin charm, was no place for the strong and silent this morning.

Tough outback characters dressed in khaki fought back tears while mothers and their children wept as the staff of Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, and a galaxy of film stars and politicians paid tribute to the man who was arguably the most famous Aussie on the planet.

His death a fortnight ago at the age of 44 from a stingray's barb, which stabbed him in the heart as he filmed underwater near the Great Barrier Reef, produced an outpouring of sorrow which some Australians compared to the death of Princess Diana.

The grief was palpable as ordinary Australians gathered in shopping centres across this wide brown land to watch the service on large screens. Motorists parked their vehicles to listen in on the radio.

In the Crocoseum, Irwin's widow, Terri, appearing in public for the first time since the tragedy, clutched her children, Bindi and Bob, in a protective embrace, but she could not bring herself to speak about her husband.

That duty went to Bindi, eight, who transfixed the crowd with a simple, confident and heart-wrenching speech about "my daddy, my hero".

Her tiny finger following every word of her script, she said: "I have the best daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.

"I don't want daddy's passion to ever end - I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did."

The entire auditorium stood to applaud the little girl, who clearly had her father's charisma.

The prime minister, John Howard, set the tone with an opening eulogy "to celebrate the life of a remarkable man and a remarkable Australian" who touched the hearts of millions.

"He did that because he had that quality of being genuine, of being authentic, of being unconditional and having a great zest for life and, throughout his all-too-short life, he demonstrated a love for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else - his love of his family and his love of his country," he said. "He taught our children in particular to love and respect all creatures great and small."

From the United States, Hollywood actors queued up to deliver their tributes by satellite. Fellow Australian Russell Crowe, a close friend of Irwin, said people across the planet were grieving. "Your passing has suspended reality for us - it was way too soon and completely unfair on all accounts."

Irwin, Crowe reported from New York, had been headline news on CNN for nearly a week. "There are not many zookeepers who would command that sort of attention," he said. "And all that means is you got your message across."

Kevin Costner paid tribute to Irwin's fearlessness.

His father, Bob Irwin, asked well-wishers not to "grieve for Steve". "Grieve for the animals who have lost the best friend they ever had and so have I," he said.

The memorial service ended in typical Irwin style with the director of Australia Zoo, Wes Mannion, loading his mate's truck with a bedroll, surfboard and a few of his personal belongings before driving out of the Crocoseum past a guard of honour formed by the khaki-clad staff.

Other zoo workers laid their floral tributes on the ground to spell out the word "crikey".

In the pool where Irwin performed his reptile show for so many years, a picture of the crocodile hunter floated in the middle of the water with the caption "Crocs Rule".

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“Steve Irwin” Memorial

  { special note }

I had the distinct honor of meeting Steve and his wife Terri on Saturday August 22, 1999 at Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium. Both of us were at the Shedd Aquarium on unrelated business and to expand further on our chance meeting, “the Crocodile Hunter” invited me to have dinner with him that night and it will forever be one of my personal career highlights.

_______________

Australian   naturalist & television personality Steve Irwin  was best known for his popular wildlife program “Crocodile Hunter”. His unbridled enthusiasm for such unlovely creatures as crocodiles, snakes & spiders earned him a tremendous following and his Australia Zoo was a top tourist attraction in his country. An ardent wildlife conservationist, Irwin also invested much of his time & money toward that end. He died in a rare Australian Bull Stingray attack while filming off the east coast of Australia in 2006.

Stephen Robert Irwin was born on February 22, 1962 in Essendon, near Melbourne, Australia. His father Bob, was a plumber and his mother Lyn, a nurse but both were naturalists by avocation. They turned their hobby into a business in the early 1970’s, when they moved the family to Australia’s Sunshine Coast and opened the Beerwah Reptile Park.

Growing up among wild creatures, Steve soon adopted his parent’s affinity for the country’s wildlife. He received a python for his sixth birthday, named it “Fred” and never looked back. Before long, he was helping his father rescue crocodiles. “When I was nine, dad took me capturing crocodiles,” Irwin told Tessa Cunningham of the London Mirror . “We had five in the boat when my flashlight picked out a sixth. “This one’s yours son” dad said. “He was a whopper—3 ft. I got my legs around his neck and he was thrashing about. It was like being tossed around in a washing machine … It was an out-of-body experience. I knew then that catching crocs was the only life I wanted”.

STEVE IRWIN MEMORIAL  SERVICE

Emulating his father played a large role in Steve’s ambitions as well. “I totally revered my dad,” he told Gary Arnold of the Washington Times . “For me, he was the greatest legend on the face of the earth. I just wanted to be him, from the time I was this big. I just watched him, this giant of a man always larger than life”. In addition to his role models and early exposure to animals, Steve had a natural gift that gave him an extra edge. Paul Farhi of the Washington Post , quoted Irwin’s explanation of that something extra. “I don’t want to seem arrogant or big-headed, but I have a real instinct with animals,” he said. “I’ve grown up with them … It’s like I have an uncanny supernatural force rattling around my body. I tell you what mate, it’s magnetism”.

Thus via the combined contributing influences of parents, training and talent, Irwin made animals his trade. He began by trapping rogue crocodiles and relocating them to the family zoo, which was renamed the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park in the 1980’s. In 1991, his parents gave him the business which he re-dubbed the Australia Zoo. He then met and married Terri Raines, a fellow nature enthusiast from Eugene, Oregon whom he met at his zoo and it was the film footage from their honeymoon that propelled Irwin to fame.

Steve and his new bride spent their 1992 honeymoon in Northern Australia, camping & trapping crocodiles for relocation. Through the auspices of old friend & television producer John Stainton, a film of the working vacation became the first episode of “Crocodile Hunter”. The program was picked up by the Discovery Channel and Steve was soon an international celebrity.

The huge success of “Crocodile Hunter”   was of course, dependent on its star. Irwin clad in his trademark khaki shorts and shirt, was full of boyish enthusiasm for the scary creatures. Crocodiles, venomous snakes, lizards, scorpions and spiders were among the less than cuddly wildlife he championed. Sometimes caressing them and tussling with others, he always met the animals in their own environments. He spoke in a thick Australian accent and peppered his sentences with such catchphrases as “By Crikey!”, “Danger, Danger, Danger” and “Look at this beauty”. It was dangerous work, but Irwin had an abiding respect for his co-stars. As he told the Houston Chronicle ,  “If you see me getting bitten by something, it’s my mistake. I knew what I was up against went I went in with that animal and sometimes my reflexes are a little slow or there’s an oversight on my part”. Such mishaps however, were comparatively few.

By 2006, Steve’s program by then airing on cable television’s “Animal Planet” was being seen by approximately 500 million people in more than 120 countries. He had branched out onto the silver screen as well, with an appearance in Eddie Murphy’s “Doctor Doolittle”   and a starring role with his wife in “The Crocodile Hunters: Collision Course”   (both 2002). Neither was a critical success, but Hollywood was not really Irwin’s natural habitat anyway. Commenting on movie studio executives to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated in 2002, Steve said, “These land sharks in Hollywood, you don’t know who they are. They’re camouflaged in black Armani suits”.

To Irwin however, the whole purpose was preserving the animals and their environment. He donated $1 million a year to his charity “Wildlife Warriors” and bought up tracts of land all over Australia to return them to their natural state. He viewed his television programs as ways to get people familiar with and excited about the animals he loved. As he put it to the Houston Chronicle in 2000, “What makes Terri & I tick, our gift to the world is conservation. We eat, sleep and live for conservation. That’s all we’re about, that’s what we’re up to, that’s our game and we will die defending wildlife & wilderness areas. That’s our passion”.

“TRUE BLUE” is a patriotic Australian folk song written in 1981 by singer-songwriter John Williamson that was Steve’s favorite song. The song makes considerable use of Australian slang with the title being an example of this as it means totally Australian. “TRUE BLUE” was performed by Williamson twice on the acoustic guitar at the Steve Irwin Funeral Tribute at the end of the ceremony as Steve’s truck was driven out of the Australia Zoo’s “Crocoseum” for the last time. 

Not everyone was a fan of Steve’s, naturally. His countrymen for instance, sometimes found his “ultra Aussieism” an embarrassing cliché. Further, some fellow naturalists found his television antics to be those of an irresponsible thrill-seeker who committed the dual sins of exaggerating the dangers of wild animals while minimizing the risks in handling them. Such types of criticism were of slight consequence to Irwin, however.

Steve ran up against a broader spectrum of critics in 2004. In January, he caused an uproar by feeding crocodiles while holding his infant son Bob. His more vociferous detractors equated the incident with child abuse, but the authorities declined to charge him with an infraction of any kind and Irwin vehemently denied the child was ever in any danger at all. In June, Steve again came under fire for allegedly filming too close to penguins, whales and seals in the Antarctic.  Overall though, Irwin was not much of a lightning rod for negative comments. His popularity transcended his isolated lapses in judgment and his star was only minimally dimmed. Likability was after all, the Crocodile Hunter’s stock in trade.

On Monday September 4, 2006, Steve was filming along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, his boat anchored near Port Douglas in Queensland. He decided to do a segment on Australian Bull Stingrays and began snorkeling in relatively shallow waters with his cameraman. Although they possess a barbed tail and a non-life-threatening venom, Australian Bull Stingrays  are normally extremely docile. On this day however, chance & bad luck came together in a tragic manner. As Irwin swam over a male ray, it inexplicably struck him in the chest with its tail. His heart was pierced and he died within minutes. It was only the 3rd known fatal  stingray  attack in Australia and was the 17th recorded in the entire world. It was a sad & unexpected ending for the 44-year old man who had made fearsome creatures his life’s work. 

The public outpouring of grief was almost immediate, with tributes coming from everyone from Australian Prime Minister John Howard to actor Russell Crowe to legions of fans all over the world. His father explained that he and his son had long been aware of the dangers in their occupations. He was quoted in  USA Today  as saying “Both of us over the years have had some very close shaves and we both approached it the same way, we made jokes about it. That’s not to say we were careless but we treated it as part of the job. Nothing to worry about really”. Certainly, there was little doubt that Irwin had died doing what he loved to do.

Steve’s legacy was the work and family he doted on. His eight-year-old daughter Bindi, was already following in his footsteps and had been making a series with him at the time of his death. Environmental organization “Planet Ark” founder John Dee a friend of Irwin’s, told Jennifer Wulff of People Magazine “We’ve got a fantastic chip off the block ready and raring to go. Hopefully Bindi will educate a whole new generation in the way her dad has.” That time would understandably, would be some time off in the future as his wife and children mourned him.

A lesser known gift Steve left behind was his discovery of a new Snapping Turtle. Found on the coast of Queensland, it was called “Elseya irwini” in the tradition of naming after the discoverer. Perhaps Irwin’s most memorable contribution was his unbridled joy & gusto. “I’ve never met somebody with such enthusiasm for life” television host Jay Leno told Michaela Boland of V ariety . His widow and wife of 14 years put it another way in an interview with television personality Barbara Walters, quoted in People Magazine when asked what she would miss the most. “He was fun” she said. “He taught me it’s okay to play in the rain, splash in a mud puddle, let the kids get dirty and spill ice cream on your pants. Now I’m going to have to work really hard at having fun again after all I am Mrs. Steve Irwin. I’ve got a lot to live up to.”

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Steve Irwin’s friend and cameraman, who was with the famed wildlife expert when he died on Sept. 4, 2006, revealed Irwin’s final words on an Australian talk show on Sunday: “I’m dying.”

Steve Irwin – Crocodile Hunter 44, was filming a documentary on the world’s deadliest sea creatures near the Batt Reef in Queensland, Australia when he was stabbed “hundreds” of times by a stingray, per cameraman Justin Lyons. “It probably thought that Steve’s shadow was a tiger shark,” Lyons said on Studio 10, an Australian talk show. “So it started to attack him.” The stingray’s barb, the pointy part of their tails used in self-defense, went through Steve’s chest like “a hot knife through butter,” according to Lyons.

Lyons said he didn’t even realize the Crocodile hunter, who referred to Lyons as his “best mate” and “right hand man,” was seriously hurt until he panned over him with his camera. After the attack, Lyons and other crew members got Irwin in their boat and attempted CPR. Steve Irwin then looked up at him and said calmly, “I’m dying,” Lyons said.

Reports around the time of Irwin’s death alleged he had taken the barb out himself, but Lyons said that was not the case.

The attack, Lyons said, was captured on film. When asked if the recording would ever be released, Lyons said, “Never.”

• February, 22, 1962
• September, 04, 2006

Cause of Death

• after being pierced in the heart by a stingray barb
• Australia Zoo
• Beerwah, Australia

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Family, Stars Pay Tribute to Steve Irwin

The "Croc Hunter" was a hero to Russell Crowe, Cameron Diaz and his 8-year-old daughter Bindi

“Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin was remembered at his public memorial Wednesday for the love he demonstrated “for the two things that ought to matter more to all of us than anything else – his love of his family and his love of his country,” said Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard.

Howard was among those in attendance in the 5,500-seat capacity “Crocoseum” at Queensland’s Australia Zoo for the one-hour ceremony. Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 from the barb of a stingray while he was filming on the Great Barrier Reef.

Also paying tribute were Russell Crowe, Justin Timberlake , Cameron Diaz, Hugh Jackman, Kevin Costner, Kelly Ripa and Larry King and Australian country singer John Williamson, who sang one of Irwin’s favorite songs, “True Blue.”

But it was the composed 8-year-old Bindi Irwin who best represented the spirit of the event. With her mother Terri holding Bindi’s toddler brother Bob, Bindi read her words to the crowd, running her tiny finger across the paper as she went along.

“My daddy was my hero,” she said. “He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things, but most of all, he was fun. I know that Daddy had an important job. He was working to change the world so everyone would love wildlife like he did.

“I don’t want Daddy’s passion to ever end. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did. I have the best daddy in the whole world, and I will miss him every day. When I see a crocodile I will always think of him, and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals. Daddy made this place his whole life, and now it’s our turn to help Daddy.”

When Bindi finished, she wrapped her right arm around her mother’s neck as a visibly upset Terri held tightly onto Bob. Bindi finished by taking center stage and feeding elephants that were parading around the croc pool.

Crowe, in a videotaped message from New York, said, “We’ve all lost a friend. We’ve all lost a champion, and we’re going to take some time to adjust to that.” Addressing the late Irwin, he said, “As humble as you always were, you will still be pleased to know that the world sends its love and that people all over this planet have been grieving.”

Diaz, also in a video presentation, said that America was “just taken by him ? in awe of his energy and how he actually went about putting himself forward. Every kid was in love with the idea of being able to be him.”

In a separate video, Timberlake (who had visited the Australia Zoo with Diaz in 2004) said, “To Terri and Bindi and Bob and Steve’s family and friends, I may have only really spent a day with you guys, but it was a day I’ll never forget, and I’ll never forget what I learned just by being around Steve.”

Added Steve’s father, Bob Irwin, 66, “Please do not grieve for Steve, he’s at peace now. Grieve for the animals. They have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I.”

After the service, Bob Irwin told reporters, “I was coping fairly well until John sang that song, and then I fell apart. Steve really loved that song. He was a true blue Aussie and a really good bloke.”

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