The ridge near the top of the falls was a great spot to stop for lunch.

East on Gibb River Road – Part 3

February 19, 2025

There seems to be an almost untouched beauty to the Gibb – it has so many wonderful and amazing places to explore.

One such spot up at the top of my list of destinations to visit prior to starting our trip was Mitchell Falls.

I don’t know whether it’s the remoteness, spectacular scenery or a little of both that makes it a popular destination for the more adventurous – which includes us.

The effort required to get there is considerable, so having the right gear is essential.

This way you can safely make it in and out without too much trouble.

Our plan to tackle Mitchell Falls was to leave the JB Scorpion caravan at the base camp in Munurru (King Edward River) campground and drive to the falls.

While it is possible to camp at Mitchell Falls, it is recommended that you do not take caravans in there.

On the hike into Mitchell Falls, there were several places you could explore the rock cliffs in search of Indigenous art.

Unfortunately, we didn’t take any extra camping gear, so our plan entailed driving into the camping area, walking to the falls and a helicopter ride back out.

We would then return to the van – a lot for one day, but it was our only option.

As it turned out, not taking the van in was the right decision.

The track was very narrow in parts, with sharp corners and several creeks that had average entry and exit angles.

It would probably be possible to do it, especially with a support vehicle, but why punish your gear when you don’t have to?

Mitchell Falls gibb

The four-tiered Mitchell Falls is an iconic Kimberley attraction and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia.

Also known as Punamii-Uunpuu to the Wunambal people, the falls were carved through sandstone by the waters of the Mitchell River, producing layers of mesmerising emerald-coloured pools from which the water tumbles from one to the next.

Experiencing the view of Mitchell Falls from a helicopter was very memorable.

Getting to the falls can be done either by helicopter, by walking or as we did, a bit of both.

The hike in was over very rough country but the track was well worn and easy to follow.

There was also plenty to see en route to Mitchell Falls, with several detours splitting up the 4km plus hike.

A mix of waterfalls, pools of water and Indigenous art can be seen by venturing off the main trail.

Mertens Falls is one such detour well worth the effort and at about 2.5km from the start of the hike, it is a good place to take a breather.

Though as we were on a schedule – due to having the helicopter flight to take us back out booked for a specific time – we didn’t venture into the water here.

Part of the reason we opted for the helicopter ride was to see these extraordinary falls from a different perspective – particularly as you’re not allowed to use drones in the national parks.

As you approach the falls, it’s possible to get a good glimpse.

We stopped here for a break and to take in the sheer beauty and remoteness of the place.

The final part of the hike crosses the Mitchell River, which can be very slippery and, depending on how much rain there’s been, the water can be flowing quite quickly.

A catch-22 situation because you want the water there so the falls are at their most picturesque, but that does make crossing much harder.

Thankfully, there were a few different pools to swim in at the top of the falls, and we are always keen for a freshwater dip when the opportunity arises.

The other side of the falls offers another view, which is more in line with a typical postcard photo.

It was then time to jump aboard our chopper and see more of the beautiful countryside.

If heading to the falls, I would highly recommend getting the helicopter ride one way at least.

We opted for a slightly longer ride back to see even more of this remote place.

The girls were keen for a helicopter ride over the falls.

El Questro

After a truly enjoyable time off grid on the Gibb, we were excited to be heading back to a more populated area, El Questro station.

In November 2022, the G’day Group, owners of El Questro, announced the signing of a deal that secured a 99-year lease on the El Questro property and returned 165,000 hectares of pastoral lease land to its Traditional Owners.

However, you are still able to stay at the property and it offers a mix of accommodation options, varying from remote camping to river-view rooms.

We opted for the powered campsite.

For the extra money, we often found it was worth getting a powered site because it would allow us to top up batteries and do a few loads of washing.