Australia Zoo powers on

Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin take the newly built walk to the new Africa section at Australia Zoo.

Nicholas Falconer

LIVING at Australia zoo can have its challenges.

Robert can't just zip around on the new mountain bike he got for his birthday.

He has to check where the cheetahs and tigers are before heading off in the huge complex.

And he and Bindi go back to school on Thursday - a lot earlier than most youngsters their age.

But the two Irwin kids literally oozed enthusiasm for their home as they showed off their newest addition yesterday.

Another link in the chain of the long dream about Africa development has been completed with a new walking track linking the exhibit to the zoo.

Already Africa is proving to be a crowd magnet.

Hundreds of people chose Australia Zoo as the place to be on Boxing Day.

Terri, Robert and Bindi happily posed for photographs, signed autographs and talked to the fans as they walked the 700m track linking the Tiger Temple exhibit to the African savannah.

It's been a busy year for the Irwins getting Africa ready for opening in September, while Bindi was also busy filming a new television series.

Next year promises to be no different with more film projects.

"We have film projects which will keep us busy from March to December," Terri said.

But it's the infectious zest for life and genuine appreciation for everything that sets these kids apart from their peers.

Robert can hardly speak a sentence without using the word "awesome".

Bindi warmly and generously shares her experiences with anyone willing to listen and Terri is the glue that keeps it all together.

Their Christmas wasn't overflowing with expensive presents.

Robert got a camera, Bindi got stationery "which I love" and new speakers for her iPod while Terri received priceless mementos.

"Robert wrote me two stories and Bindi made me a new Christmas ornament with, 'You're the best mother award'," Terri said.

Their new year's plans include trying to spread their love for wildlife around and make even more of the moment.

"I want to take in everything I do," Bindi said.

"I've got new film projects coming up and I'm so lucky.

"I hope to empower more people (to appreciate wildlife)."

Robert agreed.

"I want to make sure people love wildlife as much as we do," he said.

And Terri hoped, sometime, to get an opportunity to travel back to the family's conservation property at Winton.

Between it all, the family has to fit in their chores around the home.

And when you live at the zoo those chores include feeding the crocodiles - if you are old enough.

Robert can't wait for the opportunity to join his sister.

"I've only got two more years," he said.

"I can start doing it when I'm 10."