I can't really remember how old I was when I started watching Steve Irwin on TV, but I know I was very young. I think I was first drawn to the show because it was happening in Australia - my dream destination or maybe it was just his funny aussie accent that made me laugh.
The more shows I saw, the more excited I got when the next episode happened to be on TV.
I remember watching the show with my dad most of the time, both of us wondering how can someone be so chilled and happy to find a deadly snake and instead of running away, trying their best to catch it and talk to it like a cute little kitten. And jumping on massive crocodiles didn't seem like a big deal.
“Crocodiles. I've been catching them since I was nine. No problem.”
-- Steve Irwin
“Snakes are just very instinctive to me. I've been playing with snakes since before I could walk. It doesn't matter where or what it is, from the biggest to the most venomous.”
-- Steve Irwin
I probably saw most of his shows and I became a big fan of Steve.
I knew I wanted to see his zoo and while in Queensland and looking at google maps, trying to figure out where to go and what to see, well this place opens up!
Not just any zoo, but Steve Irwin's zoo! Wow, amazing!
It only took me an hour 20 minutes to get there from Brisbane and I couldn't wait to see it and experience it in person.
I'm not a fan of zoo's as I don't like animals in encounters, but once I got there, I relaxed. The place is huge! And I really believe animals are treated well there, they have a lot of space and zookeepers spend a lot of time with the animals.
I really liked how many animals were just coming to greet us while walking around. There is a little island in between (named after Steve and Terri's daughter Bindi) where lemurs are just left loose and we could see them up close. So cool!
There is a museum with personal items too, Steve's boots and many magazine articles about him, his family and tributes after his passing.
“I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.”
-- Steve Irwin
The ticket includes all the shows, so we saw the tiger show, they were mainly telling us more about this beautiful animal. You can also pay extra for personal animal encounters with red pandas, tigers, meerkats, wedge-tailed eagle, otters, rhinos, koalas, wombat, giraffe, tortoise, cheetah, echidna, lemurs and kangaroos or wallabies. There is so much to see and do there and it would be quite easy to spend a few days there.
The most amazing thing to see was Wildlife Warrior show and we were so lucky to actually see the whole Irwin family in action.
What a day it was! I definitely recommend going there and seeing all of that in person.
Rest in peace Steve, such a legend. Someone who spent his whole life doing something he was so passionate about, always has my respect.
As they say "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life".
“I have a message for my fans. Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that I've found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you'll be a winner.”
-- Steve Irwin
Thank you Steve.
See you next time, hive tribe.
Kat