Mitchell River National Park (Western Australia)


Mitchell River National Park is a national park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, northeast of Perth. The park adjoins the northern boundary of the Prince Regent National Park. The nearest towns are Derby which is to the southwest and Wyndham which is to the southeast. Access to the park is achieved by 4WD only along the Mitchell Plateau Track from the Kalumburu Road.
The two main features of the park are Mitchell Falls and Surveyors Pool.

Environment

The park is biologically significant and contains over 50 species of mammal, 220 birds and 86 amphibians and reptiles, including the Saltwater Crocodile, King Brown snake and Taipan. The park is part of the Prince Regent and Mitchell River Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance for a range of bird species, especially those restricted to tropical savanna habitats.

History and management

The park is located within the Ngauwudu Management Area. The park was formed in 2000 without the consent of the traditional owners or following proper procedure under the Native Title Act. It seems that Native Title has not been determined yet over this area, which falls into the Wanjina Wunggurr Uungguu but on adjacent country. The Department of Parks and Wildlife is in a cooperative management arrangement with the Kandijwal Community. Three groups of Aboriginal people have traditional lands within the park: Worrora, Wunambal-Gaambera and Ngarinyin.