Australia’s Northern Territory
Canoeing on the Katherine River, which flows through Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park. The river runs through the 13 flaming red-walled gorges that make up the Katherine Gorge of Nitmiluk Park, and past the namesake town of Katherine. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Mick Jerram, owner of Gecko Canoeing and Trekking, left, and the writer’s daughter, Sofia, 13, canoe through a lonely stretch of the Katherine River. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
A pelican comes to rest on the Katherine River. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Mick Jerram cooks up a gourmet meal in true Outback style by the Katherine River. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Wildman Wilderness Lodge, located in Mary River National Park, is about as fancy as it gets in the Outback, with tent bungalows that can accommodate 60 people, queen beds, bathtubs, a swimming pool and fine wines. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
One of the pastimes at Wildman Wilderness Lodge is a quad bike ride through the surrounding grassland. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Wildman guide Darren, a member of the traditional land owner clan, leads bush walks to teach native uses for plants and minerals. Here he explains the medicinal uses of a termite mound to the writer’s children. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
The view from a tent cabin at the Venture North camp in the the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the remote Cobourg Peninsula. Other than guests at this eco-luxe bush camp, there is no one else around for miles. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Hugh Gange, a founder of Venture North camp, cooks up mud crabs caught only hours before. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
Part of the beauty of staying at Venture North camp is that guests can gather their own food. Guides do the cooking. Here, tuna sashimi caught the same day and oysters harvested by the writer’s children an hour before being served. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
The view from the sundowner outdoor cocktail lounge at Venture North camp. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
A guide holds a fish caught off the Cobourg Peninsula. Fish practically jump into boats in this part of Australia. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
The Cobourg Peninsula at the very top of Australia’s Northern Territory is home to some very large saltwater crocodiles. Swimming is impossible. (Amanda Jones / For The Times)
