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Robert Irwin Opens Up About How His Home Base in Australia Keeps Him Connected to His Late Dad Steve: 'I Feel His Energy'

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 5:16 GMT by People
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Robert Irwin Opens Up About How His Australian Home Base Keeps Him Connected to His Late Dad, Steve

When the world first met the Irwin family, it was through a charismatic, green‑capped television host who dared to speak about crocodiles and other creatures that most people prefer to keep far from their living rooms. That host was Steve Irwin, a naturalist whose untimely death in 2006 left a vacuum that the rest of the family had to fill. Today, that legacy lives on through his son, Robert Irwin, who has become the voice of conservation in a new generation of wildlife programming. In a candid interview that was recently featured on People.com, Robert shares how a specific “home base” in Australia keeps him tethered to his father’s spirit, and how that connection fuels his global mission to protect wildlife.

The Heartbeat of an Australian Outback

Robert describes his home base as more than a physical location; it’s an emotional anchor. The house is a modest, rustic property perched on the edge of Queensland’s hinterland, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and the occasional kangaroo that darts past the front yard. The Irwin family originally purchased this property in the early 1990s, and it has been a sanctuary ever since. It’s a place where the family can retreat from the glare of Hollywood cameras and the whirlwind of production schedules, and where Robert can reconnect with the roots of his upbringing.

The home base also includes a small, but well‑maintained wildlife sanctuary—a nod to the world that his father helped to introduce to millions. “We keep a few local species on the property—an emu, a couple of wallabies, and a small reptile exhibit—so that we can remind ourselves of the fragility and wonder of Australia’s native fauna,” Robert says. The sanctuary, he adds, serves as a daily reminder that the work his dad started is still ongoing, not just for the Irwins but for the planet as a whole.

A Legacy of Love and Leadership

The Irwin household is steeped in the memory of Steve. In the interview, Robert recounts the ritual of waking up to the smell of eucalyptus, a scent that his dad would describe as “nature’s perfume.” He also talks about the quiet moments spent in the attic of the house, sifting through old VHS tapes of The Crocodile Hunter and watching his father’s laughter echo in the walls. These moments, Robert says, allow him to feel his dad’s presence without the pressure of a public platform.

He specifically references an incident in which Steve would pause mid‑episode to point out a subtle animal behavior that only a seasoned observer could catch. “My dad had this way of making you feel like you were in the same room, even when he was in a studio two thousand miles away,” Robert recalls. “I still hear his voice in those moments, telling me to pay attention to the small details.”

This sense of continuity is more than sentimental. Robert stresses that it shapes his approach to conservation. “Steve taught me that every creature has a role in the ecosystem, and that protecting one species means protecting the whole system. That principle has guided my career choices and the projects I choose to undertake,” he says.

The Australian Connection: Why the Outback Matters

Robert’s home base is a vital part of his identity, but it is also a testament to the environmental diversity that fuels his advocacy. He explains that the Queensland outback offers a microcosm of ecosystems—from dry savannahs to lush rainforest edge. This diversity enables Robert to demonstrate, in real time, the complex interdependencies that underpin Australia’s wildlife.

The interview also touches on Robert’s travels. While his job often takes him to remote parts of the world—whether it’s a national park in Brazil or a mangrove swamp in Indonesia—his Australian base remains his constant. “I travel to a different continent every month, but I always come back to the Irwin house,” Robert laughs. “That return trip is like coming home. It grounds me, helps me process what I see on screen, and brings me closer to Steve’s vision.”

The property’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest further strengthens Robert’s connection to the natural world. In the article, Robert details his yearly visit to the Great Barrier Reef, where he participates in reef restoration projects that his dad would have been proud of. “When I stand on the reef, seeing the coral bleaching, I feel a deep, aching sorrow but also a fierce determination—something my dad would have called ‘crocodile grit’,” he says.

The Wider Impact: From People.com to the Field

The interview on People.com is part of a broader campaign celebrating the Irwin legacy. Readers are encouraged to watch Robert’s recent documentary series, “Crocodile Hunter: Legacy”, which debuted on a streaming platform in early 2025. The series explores lesser‑known stories of wildlife conservation, many of which were inspired by anecdotes shared by Steve in his later years. Robert emphasizes that the series is not just about reptiles, but about the entire animal kingdom.

The People.com article links to several additional pieces that deepen the narrative. One link takes readers to a People profile on Terri Irwin, Robert’s mother, who has continued the family’s conservation work through the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation. Another link leads to an interview with Robert’s sister, Cara Irwin, where she discusses her own journey in wildlife rehabilitation and how the family’s values have shaped her career.

A Final Thought: Keeping Steve’s Spirit Alive

In closing, Robert says the true power of his Australian home base lies in its ability to keep the conversation about wildlife alive, no matter how far away he is from home. “When I talk to my father’s memory, I’m not just remembering a man. I’m remembering the mission that he handed down: to protect, to educate, and to inspire.” By staying connected to that mission, Robert Irwin continues to embody the spirit of the Crocodile Hunter, ensuring that Steve’s legacy—his energy, his courage, his love for the natural world—continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.