Destination
Mitchell Falls & Plateau
Mitchell Falls & Plateau
The Wunambal people know the four-tiered Mitchell Falls as Punamiiunpuu, one of the Kimberley’s most iconic landmarks and a place of great cultural and spiritual significance.
Carved through sandstone by the Mitchell River, this faraway falls cascades 97 metres over four distinct tiers, each emerald pool flowing into the next.
In 2015, Western Australia’s state premier announced that the plateau, together with neighbouring Prince Regent and Lawley River National Parks, would soon be known as Kimberley National Park: a five million hectare slice of pristine wilderness that would eclipse the Northern Territory’s Kakadu as Australia’s biggest ever sanctuary, although the plan was scrapped once a new government was voted in a few years later.
Access to the Mitchell Plateau is via a long, corrugated and strictly 4WD-only gravel road. Alternatively, some of the cruise companies offer scenic helicopter flights over the Mitchell Falls as an optional extra to the cruise itinerary.
The Stunning Mitchell Falls
Rising from the rugged sandstone plateau of the Mitchell River National Park, the spectacular four-tiered waterfall of Mitchell Falls (Punamii-unpuu) cascades down dramatic red rock terraces, surrounded by lush pockets of rainforest and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. Remote, powerful, and utterly breathtaking, Mitchell Falls is a highlight of any Kimberley adventure—whether viewed from the air or explored on foot.
Fed by the Mitchell River, the falls tumble over four distinct tiers, each pool collecting crystal-clear water before spilling into the next. During the wet season, the sheer volume of water creates a thunderous spectacle, while in the dry season, the falls slow to reveal the intricate patterns of the sandstone cliffs and emerald pools. The surrounding landscape—carved over thousands of years —showcases the dramatic geology of the Kimberley, from rugged escarpments to tranquil rockholes lined with paperbark trees and pandanus palms.
Mitchell Falls sits within a protected national park, home to diverse wildlife and vegetation. You may spot short-eared rock wallabies, frill-necked lizards, and flocks of red-tailed black cockatoos as they sweep across the gorge. The remote location and pristine condition of the park make it one of the most unspoiled environments in northern Australia.
Indigenous Culture
The Mitchell Plateau is rich in Aboriginal history and culture. For the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners, this area holds deep spiritual significance. Ancient rock art, including Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) and Wandjina figures, can be found on rock shelters and cliff faces near the falls, telling stories that stretch back thousands of years.
Getting There via Cruise Ship
Access to the Mitchell Falls is an adventure in itself. Many visitors arrive via helicopter from nearby cruise vessels anchored along the coast, with scenic flights generally departing from Naturaliste Island. Scenic flights offer a breathtaking aerial perspective of the falls, surrounding gorges, and the expansive Mitchell Plateau.
The upper pools above the falls are safe for swimming—perfect for cooling off while taking in the spectacular surroundings.
