'It was tough getting out of bed': Bindi Irwin opens up about crushing loss of iconic father Steve in 2006 when she was eight

Bindi Irwin may be transforming from a girl to an adult in front of Australia's eyes.

But one thing that hasn't changed is the heartbreak the 17-year-old feels over the death of father Steve Irwin in  2006.

'You never actually move on from it,' the wildlife campaigner told Sunday Style, admitting that it was 'tough to get out of bed' in the weeks and months following the tragedy.

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Growing up: Bindi Irwin may be transforming from a girl to an adult in front of Australia's eyes, but her love for father Steve continues

Growing up: Bindi Irwin may be transforming from a girl to an adult in front of Australia's eyes, but her love for father Steve continues

Tough times: The 17-year-old spoke to Sunday Style, telling them it was hard to get out of bed in the days and months following Steve's death in 2006. Pictured with her mother Terri

Tough times: The 17-year-old spoke to Sunday Style, telling them it was hard to get out of bed in the days and months following Steve's death in 2006. Pictured with her mother Terri

'As a little kid I remember people coming up to me and saying "I'm so sorry for your loss sweetheart, but time heals all wounds,"' she recalls.

'There really isn't a greater lie. It's just not true. It's like losing a part of your heart. And when you've lost that, you never get it back. Part of you will always be missing.' 

Steve was killed by an eight-foot stingray in 2006 while filming an Ocean's Deadliest documentary in north Queensland.

Tragic: Seen here with Terri, Bob and Bindi in 2004, Steve was stung by a stingray while filming an Ocean's Deadliest documentary in Queensland in 2006

Tragic: Seen here with Terri, Bob and Bindi in 2004, Steve was stung by a stingray while filming an Ocean's Deadliest documentary in Queensland in 2006

Bindi has since continued her father's conservation work at Australia Zoo in Queensland, where both she and younger brother Robert have dedicated their lives to being 'Wildlife Warriors'.

Last month Bindi, currently dating 18-year-old wakeboarder Chandler Powell, celebrated her 17th birthday in true Irwin style - by dangling a huge piece of meat into the jaws of a hungry crocodile. 

She enjoyed her milestone birthday surrounded by her favourite people - and animals - at Australia Zoo.

Steve Irwin's tragic death 

Steve and his crew were filming in Batt Reef, off the coast of Port Douglas in north Queensland on September 4, 2006 at 11am as part of the nature documentary, Ocean's Deadliest that captured rare footage of the deadliest sea animals.

During filming, Irwin was snorkeling above an eight-foot wide stingray. It is believed the creature may have believed the 44-year-old's shadow was a tiger shark and become defensive. It stabbed Irwin many times in the chest, puncturing his heart.

While originally believed he died instantly, tragic details revealed by cameraman Justin Lyon claims the team managed to get Irwin back on the boat while still alive and rushed back to the shore.

While conscious, Lyon told Irwin to think of his children and to 'hang on' before Steve told him that he was dying.

The conversationalist and TV personality's death was mourned world-wide, including his friend and family of two children Bindi, Robert and wife Terri.

In typical Bindi style she kept khaki-clad for the occasion wearing her uniform top, but broke the mould and slipped her pins into a pair of fashionable skinny jeans.

That said, she told Sunday Style she intends to step away from khaki, saying that 'being a bit of a girl is always exciting.'

The teenager says she is looking forward to talking over the management of the zoo.

Legacy: Late last month Bindi celebrated her 17th birthday in true Irwin style - by dangling a huge piece of meat into the jaws of a hungry crocodile

Legacy: Late last month Bindi celebrated her 17th birthday in true Irwin style - by dangling a huge piece of meat into the jaws of a hungry crocodile

Couple: She's currently dating 18-year-old U.S. wakeboarder Chandler Powell

Couple: She's currently dating 18-year-old U.S. wakeboarder Chandler Powell

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