Robert Irwin Reveals Australia’s ‘Crying Shame’

His favourite animal is a Saltwater crocodile, he never leaves home without a camera, and he’s the son of arguably the most Aussie Australian this country has ever seen. We spoke to Robert Irwin about all things outdoors.

Robert’s no stranger to native Australian animals or the great Outdoors, and is famous for his work carrying on the legacy started by his father, Steve Irwin. In this chat we learn more about what the G’day Parks ambassador does to enjoy nature in his free time – including the gear he never leaves home without.

We go beyond the career aspirations of Australia’s most popular bachelor and discover where his heart resides, the behaviour he finds ‘un-Australian’, and his outdoor activity of choice.

WAE: What’s your favourite Aussie animal and why? 

RI: My favourite Aussie animal would have to be the legendary saltwater crocodile. In my opinion, these modern-day dinosaurs are our icons, and are absolutely incredible. They’ve survived every mass extinction as one of the last living links to the dinosaurs.

Not only do I get to work with them every day at Australia Zoo discovering their own personalities, but I also get to be part of our groundbreaking crocodile research in the wild. Each year we team up with the University of Queensland to uncover more secrets of the world of the crocodile in order to better conserve them.

You cannot help but fall in love with them once you understand just how fascinating and important they are.

Just another day feeding the closest living thing to a dinosaur

Where’s your favourite place to see Australian native wildlife?

I love to travel out into Australia’s beautiful outback to experience the plethora of life out there. That’s what I love about our desert regions so much, they appear dry, hot, and harsh, but when you really spend some time, you quickly realise what a vibrant and stunning array of life there is to be found here.

Some of my fondest memories have been when our family would embark on big road trips overland. And I think all Australians must experience our great Red Centre.

Our animals don’t get much snugglier than the cuddly koala

What three items do you never leave home without when you go out bush?

1. I never go anywhere without a camera to capture the action and remember the great times spent out and about.
2. An enormous bottle of water is a must. I have always got a gigantic bottle on me at all times, it really allows you to stay out for longer on those big treks.
3. A snake bite compression bandage! They’re very important. However, I always say to people that your best defence around snakes is common sense and a calm, respectful attitude.

He likes his lenses like he likes his crocodiles…enormous

What does your camping set-up look like?

A good old trusty Oztent, a couple camp chairs, a head torch (for spotting reptiles at night), and an outstretched awning on my Troopcarrier and I’m sorted!

Pink flamingo optional for camping, but a must-bring for your next visit to a G’day Park

What’s your favourite way to experience the outdoors? 

For me, surfing has always been my sport of choice. When it comes to sport, in my opinion surfing has got it all. It gives you peace of mind, while supplying a big adrenaline rush, immerses you fully into our gorgeous oceanic environment, and leaves you feeling refreshed like nothing else.

If you had to live somewhere else in regional Australia, where would it be?

I could never imagine living anywhere other than home, here at Australia Zoo – it’s where my heart beats from. But take that out of the equation and I would probably end up somewhere in North Queensland or maybe on a little farm in Tasmania.

Either way, I’d have to be amongst our gorgeous wilderness, and preferably hard to contact on the phone!

Which conservation issue do you think more Aussies should know about?

Here’s one for ya! In Australia, we have the highest mammalian extinction rate of anywhere on the planet and we still consume our Aussie icons in droves. It’s a crying shame that while we celebrate our gorgeous kangaroos and crocodiles, we still serve them up on the plate. I believe that’s about the most un-Australian thing you can do.

The key to conserving our planet is appreciating each species and their place in the ecosystem and doing our very best to minimise our impact on the environment. Whether that’s something as huge as tackling climate change, or just saying NO to the croc skin bag or the kangaroo at the restaurant.

They’re friends, NOT food

What’s the easiest way people can have meaningful impact on protecting the environment, biodiversity, and endangered species?

I reckon the easiest way to start having a positive impact on the environment is encouraging our next generation to take up the charge and start thinking with the planet in mind. At the end of the day, our youngest generation are the future.

We have a great youth conservation program, called Visionary Wildlife Warriors that helps kids start making real change for the environment in their own backyard.

Getting out and about into our gorgeous Australian bush is also vitally important. So go check out a G’day park in regional Australia and get yourself and your family outdoors!