Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
MITCHELL FALLS & DRYSDALE RIVER
In the Dry, Kalumburu Rd is normally navigable as far as
Drysdale River Station
( 08-9161 4326;
www.drysdaleriver.com.au
;
sites $10-15, d $150; 8am-5pm Apr-Dec) , 59km from the GRR, where fuel,
meals and accommodation are available, and you can check ongoing conditions. Scenic flights to Mitchell Falls
operate April to September (from $400 per person).
The Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau) turn-off is 160km from the GRR, and within 6km a deep, rocky ford crosses
the King Edward River, formidable early in the season. Another 2km brings pleasant, shady
Munurru Camp-
ground
(adult/child $7/2) , with excellent nearby rock art. Many people prefer to camp here and visit Mitchell
Falls as a day trip. From the Kalumburu Rd it's a rough 87km, past lookouts and forests of
livistona
palms to the
dusty camping ground at
Mitchell River National Park
(entry per vehicle $11, camping adult/child $7/2) .
Leave early if walking to
Mitchell Falls
(Punamii-unpuu). The easy trail (8.6km return) meanders through spi-
nifex, woodlands and gorge country, dotted with Wandjina and Gwion Gwion rock-art sites, secluded waterholes,
lizards, wallabies and brolga. The falls are stunning, whether trickling in the Dry, or raging in the Wet (when only
visible from the air). You can swim in the long pool above the falls, but swimming in the lower pools is strictly
forbidden because of their cultural importance to the Wunambal people. Most people will complete the walk in
three hours.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Devonian Reef National Parks
Three national parks with three stunning gorges were once part of a western 'great barrier
reef' in the Devonian era, 350 million years ago. Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek Na-
tional Parks are accessed via Fairfield Leopold Downs Rd (linking the Great Northern
Hwy with the Gibb River Rd), while Geikie Gorge National Park is just northeast of
Fitzroy Crossing.
The walls of beautiful
Windjana Gorge
(per car $11)
soar 100m above the Lennard River,
which surges in the Wet but is a series of pools in the Dry. Scores of freshwater crocodiles
lurk along the banks. Bring plenty of water for the 7km return walk from the
campground
(per person $10)
.
Sick of the sun? Then cool down underground at
Tunnel Creek
(per car $11, no camping)
, which
cuts through a spur of the Napier Range for almost 1km. It was famously the hideout of
rebel Jandamarra. In the Dry, the full length is walkable by wading partly through knee-
deep water; watch out for bats and take good footwear and a strong torch. Aboriginal
paintings exist at both ends and a two-hour
tour
(
08-9191 5355;
www.bungoolee.com.au
; adult/
child $50/20)
is available.
