Make it snappy! Steve Irwin’s Troopie goes under the hammer

Crikey, here is a croc-sized chance to grab a piece of Aussie motoring lore. Collecting Cars is listing the 1982 Toyota LandCruiser HJ47 Troop Carrier once used by the late Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo, with online bidding opening Sunday 24 August and closing Monday 1 September 2025.

The long wheelbase Troopie is finished in white and wears the green “The Crocodile Hunter™” script along the flanks and bonnet. Under the bonnet sits a 4.9-litre, 302 cubic inch, Cleveland Ford V8, and the odometer shows 415,426 kilometres.

The body and frame tell a working story thanks to an HJ47 Troop Carrier shell with evidence of ute-style components, a ute rear crossmember, and extra cab-mount supports. An aluminium bull bar is believed to date from its zoo days. Provenance is supported by a history booklet and a letter from Robert Irwin.

The seller acquired the vehicle directly from Australia Zoo in 2013. Since then it has had an extensive mechanical refurbishment, an electrical system overhaul and other improvements during its 12-year stewardship.

Why this Troopie is worth its weight in croc

Steve Irwin was far more than a television personality wrestling reptiles. He became a defining public face of Australia’s conservation movement, and with Terri Irwin founded Wildlife Warriors in 2002 to back research, rescue and rehabilitation of native species. Irwin directed his large global profile into on-the-ground outcomes.

Irwin grew up helping his parents at what was then known as the ‘Beerwah Reptile Park’, established in 1970. The family grew the modest reptile park into Australia Zoo, a 700-acre operation focused on conservation through education.

With help from the Queensland government, Irwin assisted the East-Coast Crocodile Management program. More than 100 crocs were captured then relocated or housed in the family park. After Steve and Terri married, instead of a honeymoon they created The Crocodile Hunter television series which was screened for five seasons on Channel 10 from 1996.

The popularity of the series saw the profile of the park grow, and it was rebranded as ‘Australia Zoo’. The Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, opened in 2004, continues the Irwin’s conservation work, treating injured native animals and training the next wave of wildlife carers. Terri and children Bindi and Robert continue this work in honour of Irwin, who died at the age of 44 after an encounter with a stingray in 2006.

It's no wonder Irwin’s hardworking Troopie carries such significance. It represents the practical, boots-and-all approach that helped Irwin’s message cut through, from outback research trips to school holiday crowds learning why healthy habitats matter.

Auction details: Collecting Cars, opens Sunday 24 August 2025, closes Monday 1 September 2025. Interested bidders can register online.