Mitchell Falls - tow or not?

[MarDon]

Hi,

In early to mid June we will be on the Gibb River Road. I am fine tuning our itinerary now, and am getting confused about the Mitchell Falls and access. So any advice from those of you that have been would be great. I have read so much info online, but as usual, it is very conflicting!

We have a LC200 with a lift, snorkle, good new tyres etc. and are towing a Lifestyle Reconn, also with the lift. We have a Stone Stomper and plenty of mud flaps on the car and camper as extra protection from rocks, but it's not the rocks that are a concern. My concern is risking serious damage to the camper. Initially I was thinking that we would have no real problem towing the Reconn, taking it easy and carefully, and camping at the Mitchell Falls campground.

I am now reconsidering, and am thinking about staying at the King Edward River campground first night, getting up nice and early, leaving the Reconn at the campsite, and heading off to the falls for a day trip with the vehicle only. We are two fairly fit and healthy adults, no kids. Plan is to get the chopper up to the falls, then more casually walking back allowing time to explore a bit along the way.  Stay that second night again at King Edward River, then back out to the GRR the following morning. At this stage there are no plans to visit Kalumburu.

Is this a better/safer option? Will we have enough time to day trip it to the falls? Would the camper be secure left for the day at the King Edward River camp? I assume there will be plenty of people around.

Thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

[GeoffA]

Hi MarDon,

We were at Mitchell Falls a year ago. If I had my time again, I wouldn't bother staying there. The road from Dryadale River Station is pretty rough, and the road in from King Edward River is worse again. It has LOTS of corrugations. It can be fun if you enjoy that sort of thing (and I do), but be aware, it can take its' toll (and it did). I'm sure you'd be fine if you were to take it real slow.

The issue though, is that the camping at Mitchell Falls is very ordinary. Lots of noise and dust from the choppers coming and going ALL DAY. Strangely, the quiet camping area (non generator) is closest to the helipad.....

My advice would be to leave the Reconn at King Edward River and drive in for the day. It's a much nicer place to camp.....

 

[Jen, Sprogs n Him]

We were up there July last year as well.  We stayed at Munurru and left in the morning to go to the falls.
The drive was bumpy but no too bad. (Bungle bungle Rd is FAR worse)
We walked into the falls and took the helicopter out, so that we weren't stinking hot walking out.
Enough people around the campsite to feel safe enough, but obviously lock up.
Don't forget to book the helicopter now rather than later..
I think we left the campsite at about 8am and were swimming at the falls by 11am (stopping along the way)
Our helicopter was at 3pm and we were back at camp by 5 if I recall correctly .

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[Traveller]

We did the trip in June 2014 in a Patrol and towed a Kimberley camper. We did Drysdale Station to King Edward River on the first day and arrived about lunch time. The amenities were brand new and we had a huge site to ourselves (not that many people around). Had a great afternoon strolling along the river and going for a swim. Next day we drove, with the camper, to Mitchell Falls and stayed a few days. On the return trip we went from the Falls back to Drysdale Station arriving mid afternoon, and this included stopping for a good walk around the aboriginal art site near King Edward River. We also helicoptered into the Falls and walked out as this then lets you determine the amount of time you want to spend around the Falls and even swimming on the way back.

The roads for the whole trip were very corrugated, and one wasn't worse than the other. We didn't regret towing the trailer in as it afforded us more time at the Falls. Apart from 'loosening' up the Patrol a bit, the only issue we had was a shock absorber bush disintegrated on the trailer as we pulled into Drysdale Station. We managed to buy another one that was a bit too big, but after a bit of whittling, was pushed in and it lasted us for the remainder of the trip. I would recommend carrying spare ones as they are light, cheap, and small, but can severely put a dent in your trip if they collapse and you haven't another one.

Your idea of leaving the camper at King Edward River was done by several people we met and cannot be faulted apart from making it a long day, but very doable. I couldn't recommend one choice over the other as they both have pros and cons. We also met people at Drysdale that were so worried by the thought of the roads that they took a flight over the Falls from Drysdale and were content with that. On arriving back and pushing our fillings back in our teeth, the bloke at Drysdale told us that they were grading the Falls Road the next week (bu**er). Maybe talk to the locals at Drysdale as you are going up to get an idea of road conditions. For us, the road to Drysdale from the Gibb was in the same condition all the way to King Edward River turnoff, so this will give you an idea. The Falls road has a reputation for being a bit rougher than the Kalumburu Road (though as said before they were pretty close for us), so if you get to KE River and have had enough of dragging the trailer then leave it, otherwise consider towing it further. Whatever you choose I am sure you will love the trip.

Kalumburu Road


King Edward River camp


Mitchell River camp

[Bennlexx]

We did the trip three years ago, Prado 150 towing an Aussie Swag.  We stayed at Drysdale (Miners Pool), King Edward River and Mitchell Falls  (ramblings on our blog at http://alexandjill.blogspot.com.au/search/label/2013%20-%20WA%20Part%2010%20Mitchell%20Plateau if you're interested).  Wouldn't change a thing and would certainly take the camper into Mitchell Falls again.  We stayed two nights.  As mentioned by Traveller it's nice to have the time to do things without needing to rush.  The road in from King Edward River was no worse than the Kalumburu Road south of Drysdale.  Of course, we might have struck it in "good" condition. 

[MarDon]

Thanks everyone for the reply's and advice.

So I'm thinking we will probably amend our itinerary to camp away from the falls and do a day trip in. We're quite used to corrugations, as we spend time each year in the cape, and that sure can be corrugated. We will be taking as many spares for both car and camper that we can!  Thanks for the photo's Traveller.

Jen, Sprogs and Him, we plan on driving into the Bungle Bungle to stay for 3 nights. Having read that the road, although rough, is suitable and open for off road single axle campers & vans, I wasn't overly concerned about this road, should we be?? Our camper is a fully Australian built, quality off road crossover style. It is tough, but not as tough as the Cape York Hard floor we've previously camped with, just hoping we don't regret our decision to go to a crossover.

GeoffA, thanks for supporting our thoughts,  it sounds like if we do go on in to the falls with the camper, just take it easy and expect corrugations. I was imagining massive washouts, having to rebuild bits of road to get through, rocks and boulders to get over, that sort of thing! Perhaps being a bit dramatic.

I will check out your blog Bennlexx, thanks for the link!

Ultimately we might speak to others along the way and make a last minute decision as to exactly where to camp, depending on current conditions.

Also, seriously, how early should we be booking the chopper?? Like everyone travelling, it's so hard to stick to an exact timeframe!

[Jen, Sprogs n Him]

Hi MarDon
You will be fine in your crossover :-)
I can't find my notes but I'm pretty sure it was a 75km road in which took around 2hrs. Averaging 30-40kph...
We have a Disco 3 towing a Pioneer hard floor.
The biggest problem with that road is the barrage of off road tour busses flogging through...
We stayed at the Kurrijong campsite which is further away from the busses.  Was pretty quiet and a short walk up the hill for sunset views.
In regards to the helicopter bookings. ..we booked late June for mid July and only scraped in with our 3pm booking.
We were on school holidays so on a tight itenary anyway so I made it work lol.


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[pank]

Hi Mardon,
Agree with others. Camp at King Edward River and day trip to the falls.
Apart from a couple of short rocky sections of road that can catch you by surprise if your not looking, the rest of the road in was no worse than the Kalumbaru rd when we were there 2 years ago. (the rocks are not big, but you could damage a tyre if you hit one the wrong way)

Book the chopper as early as you can, from Drysdale may still be ok. (earlier if you can)
We walked up on the day, and got the last 2 seats on that day. (cutting it a bit fine)

We found King Edward River very relaxing and stayed an extra night to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Enjoy the falls, they are spectacular.

[GeoffA]

.....
Also, seriously, how early should we be booking the chopper?? Like everyone travelling, it's so hard to stick to an exact timeframe!

We were there at the end of May. We just rocked up and got 2 seats without a problem. Others seemed to be doing the same.

We flew out, and walked back. Don't know if that helped.

 

[Traveller]

We were there at the end of May. We just rocked up and got 2 seats without a problem. Others seemed to be doing the same.

We flew out, and walked back. Don't know if that helped.

 

We basically did the same thing in early June. As we were camping there, we booked for the following day and had heaps of options. The guy taking our booking recommended flying in and walking out (which we agreed with after doing it) and I believe this is the less popular trip so is easier to book. The walk out is not tough at all, especially after walking in and out of all the other gorges in the Kimberley, and as I said, there is great swimming at Little Martens Falls.

MarDon, The road is nowhere near needing to be rebuilt, just corrugated. We tried driving at about 40 - 50 kph from Drysdale and were shaken around a lot. We then pushed up to about 70 kph and found it much smoother. I don't normally advocate 'riding on top' but I sure the fourby would have shaken to death travelling at 40.

[Jen, Sprogs n Him]

Yes I think you are right, I believe there would be more options helicoptering in than out.
We had 6 kids with us and figured they may be too tired to walk out at a reasonable pace lol

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[Bird]

sorry.. I dunno how anyone can enjoy hour after hour of corrugations... ****in hate the things

[McGirr]

sorry.. I dunno how anyone can enjoy hour after hour of corrugations... ****in hate the things

Mate you will never get to the best places in Australia 

Mark

[speewa158]

sorry.. I dunno how anyone can enjoy hour after hour of corrugations... ****in hate the things

lts not the office chair , its exploring Aus , you don't have to enjoy it but its an experience 

[JCAT]

Mardon, we did it in 2014. Towed our Lifestyle Extenda Elite up to Mitchell Falls and it didn't have an issue.

As others have said, the Kalumburu Road is full of corrugations up to King Edward River.

We separated the drive by driving from Home Valley to Drysdale and stayed at Miners Pool. Then up to King Edward River which was in our opinion our best campsite for the trip. Then we went up to Mitchell Falls with the camper for 2 nights. Towing the camper took us 3 hours to do the 70 odd k's.

We booked the chopper ride (flying out) first thing in the morning and didn't have an issue.

The trip back down the hill was an hour quicker as the grader had started coming through.

Our trip report
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=12917.150

Page 7 if you can't find it

[Darren253]

We towed a Complete Campsite Exodus 14 with a 200 into the falls without an issue. The road from the Gibb to Drysdale and then to King Edward River was far worst in my opinion.
The road into the falls is far more windy with bumps and dips rather than endless corrugation. We were glad to have our base station setup there and have a good nights rest and an early walk into the falls, chopper out (We had a 3yr old).
It all individual choice bit i ran 28PSI in the rear wheels and 25 in the front and found it best around 60-70kph providing the road was wide and clear enough to do so.

We towed the Exodus all the way to Kalumburu and that did cost me a stone guard from the ARB bulbar and sheered the light force mounts (7year old plastic though) but the Exodus was fine.

[MADCOW]

I'd agree with Darren We left our camper at Drysdale and drove in with a tent. Surprisingly we watched a Bushtracker caravan come in at 9.00pm. The awning was ripped off and a couple of dents in the top corners. They caught a chopper into the falls and were gone by lunchtime. You've just gotta wonder eh? I'd be towing my camper in or at the very least leave at teh King Edward River and day trip or overnight it from there. We spent 3 nights exploring the area.

[speewa158]

The road in to the falls has no $ value in creating income to the counsel . So as such it gets Bugger All funding  . The main road is going to a community that has supplies trucked in so it of value . Any spare $ left over from the main road can be spent on maintance , hence the road in is stuffed .