The bird calls also bring John Cornell to mind. Delaney says, “I kept thinking about John, who I was last here with, who passed away five years ago,” adding that his presence feels close, especially when she spots a kookaburra feather.

Crocodile Dundee, released in 1986, remains Australia’s highest‑grossing film, earning US$328 million worldwide. Its modest $8.8 million budget was raised by about 2,500 individual investors, many ordinary Australians.

Four years after Cornell’s death, Delaney co‑wrote and directed the documentary Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee, which offers behind‑the‑scenes insight into the original production.

Delaney describes Kakadu as a place you “feel” rather than simply visit, noting the vast sky, unique smells and sounds. Revisiting the iconic locations lets her blend nostalgia with personal reflection, showing how a landscape can hold both public history and private emotion.