Can you swim at mitchell falls

Later you'll reboard the helicopter for the transfer back to the airstrip where your scenic flight departs for Kununurra. On the return flight you will take in the Cockburn Ranges and El Questro wilderness area returning to Kununurra around 3. This is a truly special Kimberley experience. To find out more or to simply get inspired, get in touch with one of our travel designers.

The top third of Western Australia including Broome and the Kimberley experiences a warm dry season from April to October and a hot humid summer wet season generally from November to March. Also known as Punamii-Uunpuu to the Wunambal people, the falls were carved through sandstone by the waters of the Mitchell River, producing layers of mesmerising emerald water pools from which the waters tumble from one to the next.

These impressive waterfalls can be viewed by air, or get up close and walk the track to the falls. Whichever way you choose, your visit to Mitchell Falls will be an unforgettable experience. A great time to see the falls at its peak water capacity is with a scenic flight in February and March. Fixed wing scenic flights operate year round from Kununurra, with seasonal scenic flight tours from Drysdale River Station and helicopter tours from the campgrounds within the national park.

A number of extended coach tours to the Kimberley include Mitchell Falls as part of their itineraries, and on some Kimberley cruise itineraries, guests may also take a helicopter trip over the falls.

The Punamii-Uunpuu walking trail to the Mitchell Falls departs from the trailhead at the campground, where visitors will also find useful rock art and trail notes. Your hike begins with the crossing of the pretty Mertens Creek.

This is the place where you will flop into the water for a relaxing soak in the evening. From here it's only about 15 minutes to get to Little Mertens Falls. We'll get there later. Little Mertens Falls isn't little at all! It drops quite a way, so be careful near the edge. You can walk across the top of the falls to the other side.

There are many rock ledges, pools and rapids, shady spots to sit down and just listen to the water, and natural spas to cool down in. It's a great place to hang out for an hour or two. We did so on the first day, as we had arrived in the afternoon and weren't going to walk any further. If you stay on the right side of the river and just follow the main track you will, soon after climbing down a small rock face, see a path to your left. Follow it and it will take you to a cave underneath the falls.

On the cliff face here you will find some beautiful ancient Bradshaw paintings. I am not allowed to show you photos of the paintings. Further in the walls are covered with delicate rock ferns. The dripping moisture has given the rocks are lovely pattern. And all the while the falls are thundering from above. It's easy to see why this place was of spiritual significance to the creators of the rock art.

Once you leave Mertens Falls behind and continue your way towards Mitchell Falls the path leads you through a shady patch of rainforest. When it opens up again you soon hear the creek to your left as there are more rapids. If you leave the path and climb over the rock slabs down to the creek you find another irresistible swimming pool.

And if you look up you see another big rock slab covered in Bradshaws. On a hot day I'd stop here for a swim on the way in and back.

It's a lovely spot, so peaceful. I could sit here forever. Now these falls are big, though not as big as the Mitchell Falls. If you walk along the top of the falls to the far right you get the best view of them. But be extremely careful here, it's a looong way down The gorge below is narrow and dramatic , and impossible to capture in a good photo.

Not much light enters the bottom, but at the top of the falls the sun was blazing even though it was only early in the morning.

This is the view of the gorge from the other side, after crossing over the top of it. You can also see people standing near the edge on the other side of the falls:. To get to Mitchell Falls you need to make your way across the top of Mertens Gorge and continue on the other side. The walk gets more difficult now. It's very rocky terrain, big boulders to climb over, clumps of spiky spinifex, loose gravel What month into the dry season will obviously determine how much water is here.

You will also run the risk of falling over and getting completely soaked. Hiking poles could help for this section. The whole area has untouched beauty, and the hike is well worth the trip. Swimming is not permitted below the falls, however, there are some swimming spots along the trail itself. Furthermore, you need to take care when hiking in different areas, particularly when close to cliff edges. The camping spots are well spread out and basic facilities.

There are toilets, but no showers, and you can access filtered drinking water from the taps or upstream in Mertens Creek. The high season is during winter from May to October, and Rangers will be around then. In low season you will find the area less accessible by four-wheel drive and roads covered in water. They contained 2 single beds and a basic shower and toilet. The area can get cool in the evenings, so make sure you bring layers.

Additionally, they have open-air dining and included meals, as well as a bar. The price is expensive, but a great alternative to convenience and creature comforts.

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Read on for more details about the hike and exploring Mitchell Falls. About Mitchell's Plateau. Where is Mitchell Falls.