Naturaliste Island (Kampamantiya)

Guarding the mouth of the Hunter River is Naturaliste Island, which is often used as a landing point for helicopter excursions to the Mitchell Falls. The island offers spectacular views across the river system, the towering cliffs of Kampamantiya and the wild coastline of the Kimberley beyond. Note: The island is sometimes also spelt Naturalist Island or Naturalists Island.

Kampamantiya Island, also known as Naturaliste Island, sits in the north-eastern corner of Prince Frederick Harbour, near the mouth of the Hunter River. It’s a place of remarkable natural beauty and ecological diversity — a striking mix of rugged cliffs, rainforest pockets and pristine beaches.

To the Wunambal Gaambera people, this is a deeply significant part of their Uunguu Coast, where culture, story and Country remain closely intertwined.

Geologically, Kampamantiya is shaped by both Hart Dolerite and Wunaamin Miliwundi sandstone, two of the Kimberley’s most ancient rock formations. The dolerite appears mainly at the island’s south-eastern tip, while the sandstone dominates the remainder. This combination creates a varied terrain — from coarse, weathered ridges that support open savannah woodland, to the moist gullies and beach-backed hollows where monsoon rainforest flourishes.

Freshwater trickles through cracks in the sandstone, emerging as natural springs that sustain vegetation like Pandanus, tulip trees, and Terminalia species. These lush green corridors stand in contrast to the sunbaked cliffs above, offering vital refuge for wildlife. The island’s forest edges are home to birds such as the Gangala (scrub-fowl) and the brilliantly coloured rainbow pitta, often glimpsed darting among the undergrowth.

For visitors exploring the Kimberley by expedition ship, Kampamantiya is often a place of stillness and reflection. Cruise operators frequently make landings here for sunset drinks or nature walks, and it also serves as a landing point for helicopters coming to or from the Mitchell Plateau.