Bindi Irwin Posts Emotional Tribute to Dad Steve Irwin

— -- Australia celebrated Father's Day on Sunday, but for Bindi Irwin the day was bittersweet, coming just days after the 9th anniversary of her father Steve Irwin's death.

"Thinking about home today," the 17-year-old wrote on Instagram Sunday, alongside a picture of her late father. "Father's Day is today in Australia and everyone is celebrating at Australia Zoo. It's such a special time of year, I hope everyone who comes to the zoo today is able to enjoy it with our gorgeous animals."

Irwin, who is preparing to compete in the new season of "Dancing With the Stars," concluded her post with, "No matter where I am in the world, this day means such a lot to me. My heart forever lives @AustraliaZoo -- just like Dad's always did."

The "Crocodile Hunter" star died on Sept. 4, 2006 after he was attacked by a stingray while filming the documentary "Ocean’s Deadliest" at Batt Reef off Australia. Bindi Irwin was just eight years old at the time. Since his death, Bindi, along with her mom Terri and her 11-year-old brother Robert, have carried on Steve's conservation efforts while running Queensland's Australia Zoo, which was previously managed by him.

Bindi told ABC News she's also hoping to make her dad proud by competing on "Dancing With the Stars."

"Dad was that one person who no matter what he did in life he just took it by storm, and he was so passionate and just really lived in the moment," she said. "Whatever the opposite of a procrastinator is, that was him ... and I think I kind of inherited a little bit of that. I'm hoping to make dad proud."