Sat, 2nd July, 2022 Mitchell Campground, Mitchell River National Park, WA (Merten & Mitchell Falls etc)

Still overcast and cool. We had a relaxed start hoping the sun might come out.

Still no sun so we had an early cuppa then headed to the start of the walk at 10am. Others had said it wasn’t a hard walk compared to El Questro Gorge.

Few rocks to dodge then across Mertens Creek, then again.

Passed the track up to the lookout - will do that this afternoon.

Nice walk so far to Little Mertens Falls.

Walked down by the creek as it disappeared over the ledge.

Looking back up the carved out rock then over the ledge to the view.

The water appears to go under the rock and fall to the waterhole below.

We walked around a bit then onto the flat rock where we spotted a python. He moved on quickly.

The water was coming out from under the rock and fell a long way down to the pool below. There was another falls further along.

Continued along the track then down to check out an art site. I spotted the feet of this art then had to squat down to get a photo.

Worked our way down through the boulders and trees and found some more. Lots of different styles.

Further around was more which had paintings over the top of them. They were on an exposed wall. Nothing underneath or in other cave area as the surface was not smooth.

Continued around to high walls under the platform we were standing on above next to the falls. Zoomed in on some art up very high. They certainly did some rock scrambling to get up to paint these ones.

Then we walked around to stand under the shelf as the waterfall fell in front of us - pretty cool. Looking up to where it comes over the edge.

The other fall is further along.

Headed back out - there is a track going down the hill to the pool where you can swim. Might do that later when it is warmer. Continued along the track.

Bit of a scramble down to Mertens Creek again. This side arm of the creek is very blue.

Plenty of rocks but no big boulders to climb over so it was easy walking. Another art site on the wall across the creek.

Not far along we reached Big Mertens Falls that we have to cross. Big lagoon on the top side. Photos from top of falls then down gorge.

Walked towards the gorge for better waterfall photos. Climbed down onto a ledge for some too. Another couple were here too so they took a photo for us.

A tour group had arrived and walked across so we followed and the view was just as good from that side.

This is a photo from the cruise in April when others flew in to Mitchell Falls and flew over Big Mertens Falls.

Continued on to a lookout over the big lagoon of Big Mertens. We worked out the creek came into the lagoon to the left and filled this big waterhole which then goes over the waterfall. This then goes down the canyon and somewhere joins the Mitchell River though on the map we have it looks like it might only link up in flood time.

Not much further and we get our first view of the Mitchell River.

The helicopters are zooming overhead and land on the other side of the river. It sounds like we are in a combat zone.

We are on the upper side of the tiered waterfall - view upstream then over the rapids to where the water flows over the edge.

The motorbike chaps were having a rest and said we have to walk upstream then cross the river to get to the falls viewing area which is out on the rocks in the distance. We decided to walk to the top of the falls first. We made it.

Looking upstream then as it flows over the first tier onto the flat rocks then cascade down the next tier then disappears below. Shame we don’t have any blue sky but it still looks spectacular.

It was only 11.45am but we decided this was a great spot for lunch. Only took us 1.5 hours even with all the stops along the way.

Steve found a better spot when he took my photo. We had nice seats with back rests. You can a better perspective of the different falls and pools.

Zoomed in on some people climbing around to the viewing area on the far cliff face.

Walked back to the track then upstream to cross the river. The chopper is collecting some more passengers.

We have to walk across here where the poles are.

First we checked out where a group were swimming. The water from the falls caused a whirlpool and they went down with the current then got swept back up to the falls. Looks like fun. Looks like a group off a cruise boat - reminds me of us swimming in a remote creek in April on the cruise.

Changed into our wet shoes and headed across - bit chilly.

Headed back up towards the chopper area then around to the viewing area. Chatted with a couple off one of the cruise boats. They said some people off their ship missed out on getting a flight in too. Looks like another area water would come down during the wet season.

Looking back up it then down to where it would flow into the river beside the main falls.

First view of the bottom falls which continues on in the river and flows out into Walmesly Bay up north. Can just see the top tier from here.

The Peregrine Falcons are soaring over our heads even with all the helicopters zooming around. Continued around the rocks enjoying the different views as we go.

Down some rocks then between two boulders for the best view of all. Amazing. Well worth the road and walk to get here. 

And I did the best selfie photo yet - of the view, not us - my fringe doesn’t like having a hat on it.

A little bit is squirting out the side.

These are the photos from April when there was more water of course. Aerial photos are fabulous to give you the full perspective of the land. Luckily I had these to look at since we couldn’t get a flight.

Walked around the other side to look downstream. Climbed up on those rocks for another great view. Can’t see any visible sign of where Mertens Creek would come into this gorge.

Walked back to a rock we think Clive and Rebecca sat on for their photo when they flew in here from the cruise in April. Chatted with a couple of people from a ship - one lady must have been around 90 but she was doing very well with her walking sticks. She told Steve she was 108 when he asked how old she was.

Back across the river to have a swim. We are the only ones here. Steve in first - chilly but not too bad he said. The water whipped him down then around.

Then my turn. It was great fun though I got sucked under the first bit. It is shallow so you have too keep your feet up.

Steve tried the slippery side entrance.

Another couple joined us. Steve found a ledge to sit on under the waterfall. My turn.

A chopper was coming in to land which made a great photo.

Dried off and changed our shoes then headed back along the track. Last look back to where we were swimming.

Just one pretty flower on the way.

Followed the track back. Most people have headed back before us. Met a group coming down the track to have a dip at Little Mertens. One poor lady had had a fall and cut her elbow. As the day has stayed overcast we have no idea what the time is but we decided to head up to the lookout.

Wandered along the trail then started the climb up the hill. Met another couple, she was hobbling along after twisting her ankle.

Reached the small platform. Fabulous view and even better that we have been across to the falls that we can understand the lay of the land and compare it to the map. The left gorge is the falls and the lookout area is on the left of the green trees in the middle. The right gorge is the other hole we can see on the map but we don’t have access to. A helicopter came in to land at the falls landing area which helped us work out what was what. Scanned around then downstream to another big pool.

Walked up to the top platform that had seats and sat and chatted with the other couple while we enjoyed the view downstream to the big pool.

Blue sky appearing to the north as we headed back from the lookout! Maybe tomorrow will be brighter but it has been a wonderful day and we are so glad we made it here.

Back to camp by 4.30 though with the dark clouds it feels like 6.30. We have new neighbours from Sydney who hired a 4WD with two roof-top campers and they are having a wonderful time.

Poured our drinks and sat down for a while to rest our feet. Been a great day. The helicopters have stopped so it is peaceful again.

A map of where we we are etc.