Summary
- “Steve Irwin: A Wild Life” is available to watch free on the official 60 Minutes Australia YouTube channel.
- The special aired on September 2, 2026, marking twenty years since his death.
- It features previously unseen material from a 2002 interview and accounts from people close to him.
- Cameraman Justin Lyons recounts the final expedition, while the documentary explores Irwin’s lasting wildlife conservation legacy.
Twenty years after Steve Irwin’s death, a 60 Minutes Australia documentary exploring his life, conservation work and final filming expedition is available to watch free on YouTube.
“Steve Irwin: A Wild Life” aired in Australia on September 2, 2026, bringing together rare archive footage and interviews with people who knew the “Crocodile Hunter” both on and off set.
The special looks at how a man who grew up around wild animals became a global television personality, and why his work to protect wildlife continues to resonate with audiences.
Rare footage and the people closest to him
Produced by 60 Minutes for the 9Network, the documentary includes previously unseen footage from a 2002 interview conducted by journalist Charles Wooley, alongside new interviews with people from Irwin’s inner circle.
They include producer and manager John Stainton, who played a major role in launching his television career, wildlife teammate Brian “Briano” Coulter, school friend Chris White and former Animal Planet executive Clark Bunting. Surfer Kelly Slater and musician John Williamson also contribute.
The final shoot and Justin Lyons’s account
One of the documentary’s most difficult chapters returns to September 4, 2006. Irwin was filming underwater on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for “Ocean’s Deadliest” when a stingray’s barb fatally injured him. He was 44.
His longtime cameraman, Justin Lyons, who was in the water with him, recounts what he witnessed and the crew’s attempt to save Irwin. According to the 9Network, this is his first documentary interview offering such an extensive account of those events.
Lyons’s testimony offers a rare perspective from the person behind the camera. It also shows how quickly a wildlife filming situation can change, even for crews with substantial field experience.
From Queensland to global television
The special revisits Irwin’s early years catching crocodiles in Queensland with his father, Bob. It follows the growth of Australia Zoo and his rise on television, particularly through Animal Planet.
His television work combined spontaneity, high energy and close encounters with animals. His aim was to get viewers interested in species they might otherwise fear, linking entertainment to wildlife conservation. That approach also attracted public criticism at times, which the documentary addresses.
His family continues his conservation legacy. His son, Robert Irwin, who is also a wildlife photographer, has spoken about the value of authentic wildlife images at a time when AI is changing what audiences see.
What we think
For those of us who film or photograph wildlife, the value of this special goes beyond the tragedy. It is worth looking at how one presenter’s relationship with animals, the work of his cameraman and television storytelling combined to create images that reached people who might never have watched a conventional nature documentary.
Justin Lyons’s account carries particular weight for anyone who has worked behind a camera in a demanding environment. No powerful shot is worth more than the safety of the people involved or the welfare of the animal. Knowing when to stop is part of the job too.
Above all, Irwin deserves to be remembered for more than his final moments. His ability to make millions of viewers pay attention to wildlife is the most lasting part of his story, and the part we hope audiences take away from this documentary.
