Discover impressive river scenery beneath the canopy of fan palms, majestic cascading waterfalls, and rugged landscapes with spell-binding gorges that continue to be part of the Wunambal peoples' living culture. This remote national park is sure to impress!
Mitchell River National Park is located in The Kimberley Western Australia. It is only accessible with a 4WD as the roads aren’t sealed and can be difficult to navigate. From the Gibb River Road take Kalumburu Road followed by Port Warrender Road to arrive at the Mitchell Falls carpark.
You can also access Mitchell Falls on an extended coach tour or experience it from the air on a small aircraft or helicopter scenic flight with Kimberley Air or Broome Aviation. The park is home to more than 220 bird species, 50 species of mammal and 86 species of reptiles and amphibians. The park hosts vast habitats of rainforest, gum trees and paperbark trees, not to mention the quantity of water with mangroves and swamps. The Livistona Palms in the Mitchell Plateau are believed to be up to 300 years old!
Mitchell Falls, Mitchell River National Park. Image by Tourism WA
Mitchell Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Australia. The track to Mitchell Falls starts at Mertens Creek where you can swim beneath an impressive gallery of the Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock paintings, from here you can walk to Little Mertens Falls, an oasis where there is a natural spa above a ledge which sends a curtain of water flowing in front of a gaping cave below which is decorated with Aboriginal Art dating back thousands of years. Mertens Gorge and Mitchell Falls are next where you take in the panoramic views. The best time to see the falls is February- March as they are at their peak water capacity. The other main attraction in the park, Surveyors Pool, lies further north.
The Punamii-Uunpuu Trail is a moderate – advanced 8.6 kilometres walk from the campground to Mitchell Falls. Along the way, you will discover Mertens Gorge and Little Mertens Falls along with the chance to visit Aboriginal rock art sites and learn about their significance. There are also a few great swimming holes along the path to take a dip and take in the surroundings. Join others on an impressive day trek to the falls or extend your experience with an overnight stay with Kingfisher Tours. There are basic camping facilities throughout the park with access from the Gibb River Road between Derby and Wyndham.
Region: North West, Kimberley
Nearest town: Wyndham, 270km
Established: 2000
Area: 1150km2
Highlights: Aboriginal Rock Art, Mitchell Falls, Mertens Gorge, Surveyors Pool
Experiences: Camping, Swimming, Walking, Hiking, 4WD