Covering 115,000 hectares of rugged wilderness, the Mitchell River National Park is home to the spectacular Mitchell Plateau, Mitchell and Merton Falls, Surveyors Pool, the King Edward and Mitchell Rivers.
The Mitchell River National Park is also known as the Ngauwudu Management Area and makes up part of the traditional lands of three groups of Aboriginal people: the Worrora, Wunambal-Gaambera and Ngarinyin.
The Mitchell Falls are known to the Aboriginal people of the area as Punamii-unpuu and Surveyor's Pool is known as Aunauyu.
The area is a significant Aboriginal heritage site and also of biological importance. The environment hosts a range of landscapes – from swamps through to woodlands and rainforest – all home to diverse wildlife. The Darngarna (Livistona palm) is of special significance to the area, due to the age of the species – some of the palms are up to 280 years old.
The Mitchell River and its tributaries have carved and formed spectacular gorges and waterfalls throughout the limestone that borders the Mitchell Plateau.
Location: the Mitchell River National Park is located in one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of Australia – 350 kilometres north-east of Derby or 270 kilometres north-west of Wyndham. Before visiting the area, check out the entry requirements:
- Obtain the relevant permits to enter Aboriginal land.
- A high clearance four wheel drive is recommended for travel in this area.
- There are limited supplies and medical facilities in this area.
Australia’s North West
Derby Visitor Centre