Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's body returned to his home base on the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday night following his death in a freak accident in far north Queensland.



Mr Irwin, 44, died after being stabbed in the heart by a stingray barb while snorkelling off Port Douglas on Monday.



There was no sign of Mr Irwin's American-born wife Terri, who returned to the Sunshine Coast on Monday night after cutting short a trek in Tasmania when she learned of her husband's shock death.



Mrs Irwin is believed to be at the family's home at Australia Zoo in the Sunshine Coast hinterland with the couple's children Bindi, eight, and Bob, two.



I think this tragic accident has rocked Australia & fans worldwide, we have lost a great Australian Ambassator & a true Aussie bloke.