Robert Irwin recreates photo he took with late father Steve Irwin

Robert Irwin thrilled fans on Tuesday by recreating an iconic photo he took with his late father, Steve.

The 19-year-old conservationist shared a throwback photo on Instagram of himself as a toddler sitting on his dad’s lap and holding the wheel of his dad’s company car.

Robert then shared a recent image of himself driving the ute.

‘My father’s car… it’s a special car. From early memories when Dad parked and let me pretend I was driving, to more recently when I took my driving test in it (and somehow managed to keep him from stopping).

“I remember my first solo ride in this car after getting my driver’s license – it was to the hospital to meet my niece for the first time right after she was born. And now the ute still comes on road trips to this day.”

Robert became a licensed driver after learning to drive his late father’s commercial vehicle.

Steve, known as The Crocodile Hunter, died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after being gored in the chest by a stingray while filming a wildlife documentary called Ocean’s Deadliest in Queensland.

The Irwins – including Robert, his sister Bindi and mother Terri – have kept Steve’s memory alive through their conservation work at Australia Zoo.

The family’s most recent tribute to Steve is the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which consists of luxurious cabins on the grounds of the zoo.

The chic rooms offer guests modern conveniences within the picturesque grounds, with staterooms listed on the website that sleep four for $949 per night.

The site also houses a restaurant named ‘Warrior’ in tribute to Bindi’s father and Terri’s late husband, Steve, and his grandchild, Grace Warrior.

In a recent video posted to Instagram Stories, Robert revealed that some of the wood used in buildings came from the crocodile stands originally built by Steve.

“So a big part of the lodge is actually more or less hand built by Dad,” Robert said in the clip.

He went on to say that the three trees in the front were also “originally planted by Dad” and that the spot was Steve’s dream.

Terri also appeared in the video, explaining that Steve always dreamed that visitors could have an immersive experience.

‘Steve always dreamed that one day people could not only visit the Australia Zoo, but also spend the night there. Have the immersive experience,” she said.

“It was so important to us to make his dreams come true with beautiful luxury accommodation surrounded by our conservation work that we are known for.”