A Day at Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau) and Punaami Unpuu (Mitchell Falls)

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Today (well not really today as I am posting this about a week and a half since we were there)we were the first flight into the falls so we had the place to ourselves for a while. The flight only takes 6 minutes, they do a couple of turns over the falls so you can get some pics from above. You have to see it from above to appreciate the vastness of this area.

We spent the best part of the morning taking in the sights and relaxing in the cool waters of the Mitchell River, and being entertained by the tour groups crossing the top of the falls.

It took best part of an hour and a half for the walk back and it was very hot so cooling off at Mertens Falls was a great bonus. Its a relatively easy walk through patches of rainforest and grasslands.

In 2000 the Mitchell Plateau was made a national park, area 115,300 hectares. It is really worth the effort to get here and would love to see it at its best in the west season.

Next stop Kalumburu

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Photos

Mitchell Falls
View of falls and plateau from helicopter

Mitchell Falls
Falls from helicopter. Just imagine it as one massive fall in the wet season!

Mitchell Falls
Arrival at the Mitchell Falls

Mitchell Falls
Falls taken from the ground

Mitchell Falls
Looking down the falls

Mitchell Falls
APT tour crossing!

Mitchell Falls
Bob thought it would be a good place to practice his Okarina

Mitchell Falls
The crossing above the falls

Mitchell Falls
Ron and Erica steady as she goes

Mitchell Falls
look no hands

Mitchell Falls
River above falls

Mitchell Falls
The water cascades over rocks at top of falls

Mitchell Falls
Ron and Bob taking advantage of the current to get a massage

Mitchell Falls
Me cooling off

Mitchell Falls
These amazing red rocks are polished smooth by the water. They look like someone has varnished them!

Mitchell Falls
Walking along the creek on the way back to camp

Mitchell Falls
Our last swimming hole before camp