Truly unrecognisable Terri Irwin photos resurface online

Terri Irwin usually keeps to her khakis for public appearances – but these wild unearthed pics show just how different she can look.

Much-loved conservationist Terri Irwin has been in the public eye for decades now, but she’s rarely seen in anything other than her trademark Australia Zoo uniform of sensible khakis.

But these newly resurfaced photos, taken all the way back in 2002, show just how different the US-born mother-of-two looks when she glams up.

The photos were taken by News Corp photographer David Kelly in December 2002, when Irwin was a 38-year-old mum to young Bindi (her brother Robert would be born the following December) and wife to fellow conservationist Steve, who would tragically die in 2006.

Terri in her khakis … Picture: Steve Pohlner

… and in high glam, circa 2002. Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

The glamorous makeover was in aid of a Sunday newspaper spread with Irwin, titled “Terri Irwin reveals her wild side.”

The photos were shared on the Instagram account Big Nostalgic Energy overnight, an essential repository for content of early noughties Aussie celebrities. The account noted that Irwin had “ditched the khakis in favour of full slay glamour in a shoot styled by Richard De Chazal.”

Crikey. Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

Irwin looks more ready for ballroom dancing than croc wrangling. Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

Yep, that’s Terri Irwin! Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

The pics show Irwin in dramatic make-up, her hair voluminous and covered in jewels, wearing two different glamorous ballgowns.

Those commenting under the post were wowed by Irwin’s makeover, with several noting she looked ready for a stint on Real Housewives.

We’re seeing shades of Tara Moss and Deborah Hutton. Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

With Steve and young Bindi in 2002.

“She is beauty, she is grace, she is Miss Crikey mates,” one commenter quipped.

“It’s giving Jackie Collins,” another wrote: “All hail mother of crocodiles!!”

Irwin noted she’d be back swimming in a dam in the bush right after the shoot. Picture: David Kelly/News Corp Australia

While Irwin usually sticks to her khaki uniform for public appearances, she did recently make headlines with a noticeably new look: Dying her signature blonde locks dark.

Irwin explained in the original 2002 interview accompanying the shoot that she’d return to her life in the bush with Steve later that day, where she’d have an afternoon swim in a muddy dam.

‘‘This morning haute couture, this afternoon bathing in brown water,’’ she said.

‘‘But that’s what I love about my life, it’s so unpredictable. I mean I love doing this, I love playing dress-ups — I’m a girl after all — but you know, I’ll be glad to get back to the bush with Steve, there’s work to be done.’’