Robert Irwin recreates photo of him and Steve in his dad's old ute

Robert Irwin has recreated a tear-jerking photo of him in his dad’s old ute.

The 19-year-old took to Instagram to share a heartwarming picture recapturing his youth while honouring his late dad, national treasure Steve Irwin.

The first picture shows a young Robert sitting on Steve’s lap, pretending to drive, while the second image is of the animal expert now behind the wheel.

In his caption, Robert revealed he now uses the beloved ute for ‘road trips’.

“My dad’s ute… it’s a special car. From early memories when Dad would park and let me pretend to drive, to more recently when I took my drivers test in it (and somehow managed not to stall it),” he wrote.

“I remember my first solo drive in this car after I got my license - it was to the hospital to meet my niece for the first time, right after she was born.

"And now, the ute still comes on road trips to this day.”

Many were left touched by the tribute, as one person wrote: “I still have the remote control version of your dad's car with a figurine of him and various crocodiles and snakes at my parent's house! Awesome to see she’s still alive.”

Another said: “I’m not crying, you're crying.”

A third commented: “You and your family honour your father in everything you do. He left his legacy in good hands.”

While another shared: “I love this, Robert. A vehicle is a huge emotional attachment when a loved one is lost. Seeing this ute still going is wonderful.”

Steve died in 2006 at age 44 after he was fatally injured by a stingray barb while filming on the Great Barrier Reef.

During the incident, he attempted to capture footage for Bindi the Jungle Girl, a children’s nature series in development that his daughter would present.

At the time of his passing, Bindi was eight, and Robert was merely two.

Last year, in an interview with E! News, the youngest Irwin spoke about honouring his father by carrying on his great legacy.

"I think what dad really showed the world was, of course, to have that appreciation for the natural world and to treat every living being on this planet as you would wish to be treated," he told the outlet.

"I think that's something that I'll always carry with me."

He added: “I think that more than anything, I would hope that I really continue this message that life is short and we have to live every day to the fullest."