Robert Irwin is the spitting image of his late dad Steve as never-before-seen photos surface of the crocodile hunter sporting a mullet and smoking a cigarette

Never-before-seen photos of Steve Irwin have surfaced, showing the late great crocodile hunter in 1989 looking the spitting image of his son Robert. 

Images shared by Rellie May Photography last Friday show the wildlife conservationist catching a crocodile in Dalbeg North Queensland when he was 27. 

In the black and white photos, Steve, who died at the age of 44 in 2006, could be seen smoking a cigarette as he wore his trademark khaki shirt and a pair of shorts while wrangling the reptile. 

He appeared to have a rougher look about him, sporting a mullet and covered in grime as he got down in the muck with some locals.

Even so, the photos show just how much his son Robert, 22, resembles him. 

'Today on the 20 year anniversary of Steve Irwin's death we decided we would share a few of the scarce photos we have of the time Steve spent catching crocs in Dalbeg North Qld,' read the caption alongside the photos. 

'This is a rather large croc that was called Bogie and was caught near the junction of the Burdekin River and Bogie River,' it continued alongside a picture of Steve posing next to a restrained crocodile. 

'On this day people travelled from Ayr to catch a glimpse of the elusive crocodile from the Burdekin River. They were not often seen in those days.

'Special memories of the fun times. A few of the locals are hunting the wild blue yonder with Steve too.

'A story or two over the bar at the Dalbeg Inn to be remembered by many. A memorable night when Steve talked down a disagreement between two locals. Best talker ever.'

It comes after Steve's widow Terri Irwin marked the 20th anniversary of his death last Friday with a heartbreaking message on Instagram.  

'After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow,' wrote Terri, 62, who, with her children, Bindi, 28, and Robert, continues to carry out her husband's legacy at Australia Zoo and wildlife conservation work.

'With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding,' she added.

Steve's death on September 4, 2006, was a freak accident caused by an unpredictable encounter with a large stingray.

He had been snorkeling in shallow water at Batt Reef, off the coast of Australia, while filming the documentary Ocean's Deadliest. 

Steve swam near the stingray, which suddenly reacted and struck him with its barb, piercing his heart.

Despite his crew's quick response and CPR efforts, the injury proved fatal. Steve was 44.

Terri also reflected on the last time the whole family was together before tragedy struck.

'We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together. Ours was to be a long and sweet goodbye,' she remembered in her post.

'Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down. I believe that all of us, every one of us, gets to say goodbye. We just may not know that we're saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.'

Terri has not remarried and previously shared she doesn't plan on finding another partner, despite rumours linking her to the likes of Paul Hogan, the late Hulk Hogan and Russell Crowe – rumours she has denied.

'I have kept track because it's kind of funny… let's see, apparently it's all the Hogans—that's Paul and Hulk; Russell Crowe, and most recently, it's Richard Wilkins,' she told People in 2021.

'I think the most flattering would be Russell because he is such a good person, and a very good friend to our family, and I actually do really love him because he loved Steve and they were such good friends.'

Terri kept firm on that line, telling Us Weekly in 2024: 'I totally got my happily ever after. And while there are a lot of wonderful men in the world, can you see another Steve Irwin? I just can't.'

Steve and his wife developed Australia Zoo and their conservation empire by merging a small reptile park – established by his parents in 1970 – with television fame and Irwin's energetic personality.

The Crocodile Hunter was a massive global television hit that aired from 1996 to 2004 and turned Steve into a household name.

Since his death, Terri has carried on Steve's legacy by expanding their wildlife conservation missions, running the Australia Zoo, and steering Wildlife Warriors, their non-profit international conservation organisation, all with the help of Robert and Bindi and Bindi's husband Chandler Powell.