Mitchell River National Park Information

Mitchell River National Park Information

The remote and rugged 115,300 hectare Mitchell River National Park boasts the spectacular Mitchell Plateau, Mitchell Falls and Merton Falls, along with Surveyors Pool, the Mitchell and King Edward Rivers. It is also a significant Aboriginal heritage site.

The Mitchell Plateau is one of the most scenic and biologically important areas of the State. Small patches of rainforest grow around the margins of the plateau, where they are protected from fire and receive additional moisture. Open woodlands of grey box, white gum and other trees and shrubs grow around the valleys and creeks. Pandanus and paperbarks line the watercourses. Up to 50 mammal species, 220 bird species and 86 kinds of reptiles and amphibians may occur in the area, including the dangerous saltwater crocodile, death adder, king brown and taipan.

The turnoff to the Plateau is 162 kilometres from the Gibb River road and then a further 86 kilometres to the car park and camping area. Access to the Plateau from the Kalumburu Road is via the rough and steep Port Warrender Road, and three hours should be allowed to cover the 86 kilometre distance. A high clearance four wheel drive is essential and visitors should allow around three days to take in the sights.

The Mitchell Plateau has camping areas at King Edward River, Camp Creek, Mitchell Falls and Surveyors Pool. Distances from the King Edward River are; to King Edward camp site two and a half kilometres; to Mining Camp 57 kilometres; to Mitchell Falls Tourist Office 61 and a half kilometres; to airstrip 62 kilometres; to Camp Creek camp site 66 kilometres; to Surveyors Pool 81 kilometres.

It is important that no new tracks are blazed, and no damage is caused to the vegetation. Visitors to the Mitchell Plateau should be totally self sufficient. The last available fuel supply before reaching the plateau is located at Drysdale River Station. The use of four wheel drive vehicles in sound mechanical condition is recommended for this area. Essential spare mechanical items should be carried; there are no services available to the general public except in emergencies. A number of signs have been erected in the Mitchell Plateau area to assist in visitor safety and general information.

Take firewood into your proposed camp site, do not destroy vegetation in and around your chosen site. Rubbish that you carry in should be lighter and easier to carry out. A public rubbish disposal site is provided on the main access road to Camp Creek campsite. Your cooperation is sought in keeping the area clean.

Washing - A Kimberley bucket wash will preserve water clarity and quality in streams. Lather and rinse away from the water source, not in it.

Fires - Commonsense, safety and wind direction should decide the position of your fire.

Bushwalking - Bush walking in the Kimberley is undoubtedly the best way to appreciate the natural beauty of the terrain. In fact many of the notable natural features are only accessible by foot. Walk trails have been marked to Mitchell Falls and Surveyors Pool for your safety. Walking conditions are usually pleasant in the cooler month (June/July). However temperatures rise rapidly from the end of July onwards with daily maximum of almost always in the mid thirties and low forties. General hints for safe walking; walk in parties of two or more; wear comfortable stout walking shoes and thick woollen socks; carry sufficient water for your journey; keep your things together in a small rucksack to give you more freedom with your hands; take a small first aid kit, insect repellant and matches; carry a map of the area and a compass; inform someone of your intentions and your proposed time of return.

The King Edward River is the first major watercourse encountered on the Mitchell Plateau track and is therefore used extensively by visitors for overnight camping. After crossing the King Edward river, camping access to the river is gained some two kilometres along the road. Generally the campsite most favoured by visitors is an open flat area with little shade available. However the river provides good supply of permanent water. Firewood is scarce.

Camp Creek - Permanent water and relatively easy access. However, The area is now an Kandiwal Aboriginal Community and has no tourist access. To get to the old camp area would require having to go almost right through the community .......... a definite NO NO. However,After about eight kilometres you will descend into the open valley where you will be able to select your own campsite along the creek.

Mitchell Falls - Whilst camping is permitted in this area, the campground is at the Mitchell Falls car park which is three kilometres from the Falls where the road ends. CALM have put in toilets etc there and have almost finished expanding their ranger station and have had two full time rangers in residence for the dry season for the past several years.

A track terminates 12 kilometres from the turnoff at Mertens Creek. From here a walk of one to one and a half hours (round trip) takes you to Little Mertens Falls and allows time to explore and swim. Allow four to six hours round trip to Mitchell Falls so that time can be spent at the falls themselves. The walks are over rough country and caution should be taken near the many cliffs. The track is marked with yellow discs.

Surveyors Pool - Surveyors Pool is an isolated pool surrounded by six metre white bluffs of King Leopold sandstone. Access is not marked accurately on any current map series. The present access to Surveyors Pool is 24 kilometres north of the mining camp on the Port Warrender road. Access is a combination of driving six kilometres and walking four kilometres. It is possible to camp at the road terminus at the start of the walk however no water is available. Water bottles may be refilled at the pool. Allow six hours for the return trip.

Flora and Fauna - The most striking feature of the vegetation on the laterite plateau area is the predominance of the palm livistona eastonii amongst the open eucalpyt forest formation of woolleybutt, stringbark and Melville Island bloodwoods. Along valleys and creeklines the vegetation changes to an open woodland of eucalyptus tectifica (grey box) with a large number of other tree and shrub species including pandanus palms and melaleucas (paperbarks) along the watercourses. Small patches of vine thicket may be encountered on the escarpment slopes; it is though that they receive extra moisture from ground water. A large number of what are often considered as "rainforest" species occur in these thickets. The mammal population of the area is rich in its variety and it is possible that up to 50 species may occur in the area along with some two hundred species of birds and 86 species of reptiles and amphibians. Dangerous reptiles include the salt water crocodile, the taipan and the death adder.

Aboriginal Sites - All Aboriginal sites are protected under the West Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act of 1972-80. Should you come in contact with any of these sites please do not touch the art work or damage it in any way.

Minimum Impact Code - Protect native plants and animals; keep to the tracks; use existing camp sites; use a stove for cooking; if you must use a fire keep it small; remove your rubbish; do not pollute streams or rivers; show consideration for others.