Robert Irwin hints at music career as he turns 21, honours late father Steve Irwin with emotional social media post

Robert Irwin’s media career is set to take another tangent with the 21-year-old flagging that he has musical aspirations.

The younger of the late Steve Irwin’s two children is already a conservationist, TV presenter and photographer and a few months ago became the face of Queensland tourism in a new campaign alongside iconic Brisbane character Bluey.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Robert Irwin sees his own Madam Tussauds wax figure.

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Irwin has now revealed something he has “never told anyone,” — that he has been writing his own music and may one day release an album of his own.

Robert Irwin plays guitar. Credit: robertirwinphotography/The Oztent Group

“I have written stuff,” he told Stellar magazine in an interview published on Sunday, his 21st birthday.

He said he composed songs as a way to process what was going on in his life.

“I’ve written little bits and bobs. I love writing music and putting songs together with different chords.

“And I’ve written some stuff that I played for a very small group of people who liked it.

“But that small group of people are all friends and family, so they’re biased. Who knows if it’s actually good. But (would I release an album)? Who knows?”

His three-year-old niece Grace, the daughter of Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell, is already a major fan.

“She will be like: ‘Shu Shu!’ – she calls me Shu Shu, which is Mandarin for uncle – ‘sing a song about sloths riding bicycles’,” Irwin said.

“And I’ll be like, ‘Done!’ I don’t think the songs about sloths riding bicycles will be making it onto my album, though.”

Robert Irwin has a strong focus on his conservation work. Credit: AAP

Irwin stressed that his “heart still beats khaki” but he liked to try different things.

“I love the arts, I love photography, I love painting, I love music,” he said.

For now, though, the youngest Irwin remains focused on his conservation work at Australia Zoo and his family’s Wildlife Warriors organisation.

“I’ve always wanted to continue the legacy – that’s very important to me, obviously – my dad’s legacy, my family’s legacy,” he added.

“But I want to do it in my own way.”

As he celebrated his 21st birthday, Irwin admitted “it can be heartbreaking” for his father to have missed the occasion.

Steve Irwin celebrates his 21st birthday in 1983. Credit: robertirwinphotography /Instagram

The real-life Crocodile Hunter was killed aged 44 in 2006 when he was pierced in the heart by a stingray barb while filming a documentary in Queensland.

“I can’t beat around the bush. It’s really hard, particularly when it’s those milestones. It’s difficult navigating that without a father figure,” he said.

“But I have to really praise my entire family, and particularly my mum, on the way in which she’s stepped up, to make sure that — while there will always be part of myself missing and I’ll never be complete — I never felt like I missed out on anything.”

Irwin posted a photo of his dad celebrating his own 21st birthday in 1983, on Instagram on Sunday.

“Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st,” Irwin wrote on Instagram.

“It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life.

“I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”