12 Ways to explore Punamii-Uunpuu (Mitchell Falls)
By Julia D’Orazio
A visit to Mitchell Falls is always going to be an adventurous one. Western Australia’s iconic natural beauty spot is remote and encircled by wilderness, making the spectacular four-tiered falls only accessible by multi-day 4WD or scenic flight.
If you plan to be in Broome or Kununurra or travelling along the legendary Gibb River Road, add visiting Mitchell Falls to your Kimberley getaway with these epic tours.
Please note: Some 4WD operators can be booked more than a year in advance so get in quick!
From Broome: by land
1. APT
Hit the outback road in luxury with APT. The 15-day Kimberley Complete and 17-day Kimberley and Top End trip* journey through 19 destinations, including Mitchell Falls. Guests can expect to be treated with stays at exclusive wilderness lodges, locally inspired dining and experiences exclusively designed for APT guests, such as a private session in the outback’s favourite natural hot bath, Zebebee Springs.
APT also offers Kimberley cruises with optional helicopter rides to Mitchell Falls.
*The trip ends in Darwin and can be done in reverse.
2. Outback Spirit
See the best of what the Kimberley has to offer with Outback Spirit. The Australian-owned and operated tour company offers fully accommodated, multi-day trips on its unique 4WD buses.
See Mitchell Falls and many other regional highlights on these tours: Exquisite Kimberley Adventure – 16 days, Kimberley Delights – 18 days, Kimberley & Top End – 18 days, Jewels of the Kimberley – 13 days.
3. Outback Horizons
Experience a once in a lifetime adventure with Outback Horizons. The small group and private charter tours offer 12 and 15-day Kimberley tours, either accommodated or camping (tents and camping gear included). Tours include home-cooked meals and transportation in 4WD vehicles – four-seat Land Cruisers, 10-seat 4WD commuters and 16 seat 4WD coasters. Private charters are also available.
4. Kimberley Safari Tours
Sleep to nature’s soundtrack on a multi-day guided camping adventure in the Kimberley. Each Kimberley Safari Tours’ Outback Tour (15 days) and Adventurer Tour (16 days) includes transport on a 4WD air-conditioned bus, camping equipment, park fees, and most meals.
5. Kimberley Wild Expeditions
Hit the dirt road along a 14 day Kimberley Trail tour with Kimberley Wild Expeditions. The 4WD adventure journeys along the Gibb River Road, and visits the West Kimberley Gorges, the Mitchell Plateau and El Questro Wilderness Park. It also includes strapping on the hiking boots to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Purnululu National Park, home of the famous Bungle Bungle range and getting wet’n’wild at Lake Argyle.
From Broome: by air
6. Broome Aviation
You’ll have your eyes glued to the window on this full day of sightseeing with Broome Aviation. Departing ex Broome, the tour journeys over Kimberley’s most famous waterfalls, Horizontal Falls and Mitchell Falls. The scene-stealing moments don’t stop there with flybys over Cable Beach, Buccaneer Archipelago, Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges (formerly known as the King Leopold Ranges), Prince Regent River, The King Cascade Falls and Montgomery Reef.
The tour makes two stops with a morning tea at the remote Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge and a guided tour at Australia’s oldest family-owned-and-operated pearl farm at Cygnet Bay.
7. Air Kimberley
Enjoy a full day of adventure with Air Kimberley on the Mitchell Falls Explorer (dry season). Operating May to September, the scenic tour flies over Australia’s largest tidal movements at King Sound, zooming by Harding Range and Prince Regent River before landing at Mitchell Plateau. From here, Kingfisher Tours will lead the way, driving on dirt roads for a 4WD adventure through ancient wilderness before embarking on the 4.5km Punamii-unpuu hiking trail to Mitchell Falls. Reward yourself with a refreshing swim before taking a scenic helicopter flight with HeliSpirit over the falls and Mertens Gorge before flying back to Broome.
It is still possible to enjoy the grandeur of Mitchell Falls in the wet season. Tours include flying over King Sound, Harding Range, King Cascade on the Prince Regent River before arriving at Mitchell Plateau.
Enjoy refreshments before embarking on the ultimate flyover, sighting Mitchell Falls, Kuri Bay, Camden Sounds, Montgomery Reef and onto the Horizontal Falls. The flight continues across the Buccaneer Archipelago before stopping at Cape Leveque to see a vivid display of soaring red rock formations, white coastal sands, and crystal-clear waters. The last leg of the journey includes seeing the Dampier Peninsula’s beaches, bays, and famous sands of Cable Beach.
From Kununurra : by air
8. Aviair
See the best of the Kimberley in a day with Aviair. The full day Mitchell Falls Discoverer tour combines scenic and helicopter flights for a sweeping overview of the region, including King George Falls Carlton Hill Station, Wyndham and the Cambridge Gulf and the patterned mud flats near Wyndham.
Arrive at Mitchell Plateau airstrip to take a helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls Campground. It is optional to embark on a 4.5km hike or see the falls in style, continuing the journey over the falls.
9. Kimberley Air Tours
Kimberley Air Tours offers two tours to visit the mighty Mitchell Falls. Get a bird’s eye view for a half-day scenic flight on the Mitchell Falls Coastal Adventure. Or embrace adventures in the air and on land on full day Mitchell Falls Hike & Heli Adventure.
10. Kingfisher Tours
Enjoy a bird’s eye view, then get up close and personal with Mitchell Falls on an exciting hike and heli adventure with Kingfisher Tours. The locally owned Indigenous-led tour company offers two full day tours departing from Mitchell Falls campground, hiking along the 4.5-kilometre Punamii-unpuu trail, then enjoying the falls before landing on top to enjoy views of the gorge below. Plus, if you’re driving to the Mitchell Falls, you can join Kingfisher for the day trek from the campground airstrip, including a one-way heli transfer.
11. HeliSpirit
See the Mitchell Falls in style on board a luxury helicopter ride. Short scenic flights and transfers depart from Mitchell Falls Campground, with scenic flights also from El Questro.
Explore further on a five-day luxury heli safari with HeliSpirit. To include the Mitchell Falls, choose the Kimberley Coast or Family Safari itineraries.
Want to see more of Australia’s top end? Add the NT Luxury Helicopter trip to your airborne adventure.
From Kununurra : by land
12. Kimberley Dreaming
Want to drive your own car along the Gibb River Road? Go on a 13-day tag-along 4×4 adventure with Kimberley Dreaming. The tour visits regional highlights including Mitchell Falls, and is a great way to explore at your own pace with new friends.
To uncover more about this remote, rugged and glorious part of the Kimberley, see our destination page for the Mitchell Plateau.
Start planning your Kimberley holiday with amazing deals and experiences now
GOT QUESTIONS? LET’S CHAT.
We’re a super friendly bunch in the Kimberley and always happy to help with sharing a local insight of where to go and what to see. Please get in touch if you have questions we can help answer.
join our AUSTRALIA’S NORTH WEST ‘KIMBERLEY FRIENDS’ mailing list for even more inspiration and fab deals
