'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.
Scroll down for video
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
'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
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.
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
Couple: She's currently dating 18-year-old U.S. wakeboarder Chandler Powell
- Military vet catches wife cheating on him with marine
- CCTV captures fight that left teen girl with horrific...
- 'It's not over': Fuming Leolah Brown booted from funeral
- Bobby Brown and the Brown family leave Bobbi Kristina wake
- Four killed after private jet crashes into Hampshire car...
- Family and friends gather for Bobbi Kristina Brown's funeral
- Bobbi Kristina's body arrives at church ahead of funeral
- Zimbabwe calls for lion killer Walter Palmer to face charges
- The Houston family leave wake for Bobbi Kristina in Atlanta
- Moment reporter gets spooked by video bomber on live TV
- Driver takes a tumble after foul mouthed rant at cyclist
- 'I miss her like hell': Bobbi Kristina's tribute to Whitney
- Has a poacher killed Cecil's brother? Zimbabwe park claims...
- EXCLUSIVE - Bobby Brown breaks down: Father of Bobbi...
- Hawaii marine surprises wife with early homecoming, finds...
- Horrific injuries suffered by girl attacked by gang of...
- Saved... for now: Cecil the lion's cubs are being protected...
- 'You're gonna have so much more to be p****d about': Idaho...
- Named and shamed: Californians blast each other for...
- Pictured: The final moments of the Bin Laden family's...
- 'I'll end up like Mom': Bobbi Kristina's tragic last...
- Boy, 4, died after inhaling cinnamon he found in kitchen...
- 'He said he'd broken some kind of record': Minnesota barmaid...
- Girl, 5, hailed a hero for climbing barefoot up 40-foot...