View source for Mitchell River National Park (Western Australia)

{{for|the national park in Victoria|Mitchell River National Park (Victoria)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = protected
| name                   = Mitchell River National Park
| state                  = wa
| iucn_category          = II
| image                  = 067 Mitchell Falls Mitchell River NP VIII-2013.jpg
| caption                = Mitchell Falls
| image_alt              =
| local_map              = yes
| zoom                   = 8
| coordinates            = {{coord|14|48|24|S|125|42|29|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief                 = yes
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| map_alt                =
| nearest_town_or_city   = [[Wyndham, Western Australia|Wyndham]]
| area                   = 1153.25
| area_footnotes         = <ref name=ParkAreas>{{cite journal|year=2010 |title=Department of Environment and Conservation 2009–2010 Annual Report |journal=Annual Report |page=48 |publisher=Department of Environment and Conservation |issn=1835-114X |url=http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111124319/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/ |archivedate=11 January 2011 }}</ref>
| established            = 2000
| established_footnotes  =
| visitation_num         =
| visitation_year        =
| visitation_footnotes   =
| managing_authorities   = [[Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia)|Department of Parks and Wildlife]]
| url                    = https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/mitchell-river
}}
'''Mitchell River National Park''' is a national park in the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]] region of [[Western Australia]], {{convert|2140|km|mi|0}} northeast of [[Perth]]. The park adjoins the northern boundary of the [[Prince Regent National Park]]. The nearest towns are [[Derby, Western Australia|Derby]], {{convert|350|km|mi|0}} to the southwest, as well as [[Wyndham, Western Australia|Wyndham]], {{convert|270|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} to the southeast. Created in 2000, the park covers an area of over {{convert|1150|km2|abbr=on}} on the '''Mitchell Plateau''' ('''Ngauwudu''').
The two main features of the park are '''Mitchell Falls''' (a waterfall on the [[Mitchell River (Western Australia)|Mitchell River]]) and '''Surveyors Pool''' (or '''Aunauyu'''). It lies in the traditional lands of the [[Wunambal]], an [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal Australian]] people. The park is known for distinctive plants such as a species of [[Livistona|fan palm]]; it is home to several significant and [[threatened species]], including the tiny [[rock wallaby]] known as the [[monjon]] and the [[black grasswren]].
A new '''Kimberley National Park''', which would encompass Mitchell River National Park, [[Prince Regent National Park]] and [[Lawley River National Park]], was in the early stages of planning around 2015 by [[Colin Barnett]]'s government, when permits to mine [[bauxite]] on the plateau were terminated, but since then ({{as of|lc=yes|2020|11}}) these plans have not been furthered.
==History==
[[File:Aboriginal Rock Art, Little Mertens Falls, Mitchell River National Park, Kimberley, 1of3.png|thumb|Rock art in Mitchell River National Park]]
The plateau's wildlife has remained unchanged for close to 50,000 years.<ref name=pew/>
Ngauwudu is the Wunambal people's name for the Mitchell Plateau. Wunambal people have lived in the area for many thousands of years, practising their culture based on [[Wandjina]] (to whom they refer as Gulingi) and [[Wunggurr]] lore and law. The Wunambal form part of a [[cultural bloc]] of Aboriginal peoples known as [[Wanjina Wunggurr]].<ref name=derby>{{cite web | title=Mitchell Plateau | website=Derby Tourism | url=https://www.derbytourism.com.au/about-the-area/gibb-river-road/mitchell-plateau | access-date=11 November 2020 | archive-date=11 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111081658/https://www.derbytourism.com.au/about-the-area/gibb-river-road/mitchell-plateau | url-status=dead }}</ref>
European explorers reached the region in 1921,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kenneally |first=Kevin |date=2022-05-27 |title=WILLIAM ROBERT EASTON AND THE SEARCH FOR A NEW KIMBERLEY PORT THE 1921 KIMBERLEY EXPLORING EXPEDITION: |url=https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/nulungu_talkingheads/2022/schedule/13 |journal=Talking Heads Seminar Series}}</ref> led by surveyor William Easton, who named the Mitchell River after then [[Premier of Western Australia]], [[James Mitchell (Australian politician)|James Mitchell]].<ref name=derby/>
In 1965 a mining company called Amax Bauxite set up a camp on the plateau.<ref name=derby/>
The park was formed in 2000 without the consent of the [[traditional owners]] or following proper procedure under the ''[[Native Title Act 1993]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1046/j.1442-8903.2001.00073.x| last1=Horstman| first1= M. | last2= Wightman| first2= G. |year= 2001| title= ''Karparti'' ecology: Recognition of Aboriginal ecological knowledge and its application to management in north-western Australia| journal= Ecological Management & Restoration| volume= 2| number= 2| pages= 99–109| doi-access= }}</ref>
{{as of|2020}} the park encompasses over {{convert|1150|km2|abbr=on}} of the Mitchell Plateau.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mitchell Falls & the Mitchell River National Park | website=Australia's North West | url=https://www.australiasnorthwest.com/explore/kimberley/mitchell-plateau/mitchell-falls-mitchell-river-national-park | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
==Management and future plans==
The park area falls into the [[Uunguu]] (Wunambal Gaambera) area of the [[Wanjina Wunggurr]] peoples.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://klc.org.au/native-title/wanjina-wunggurr-uungguu/| publisher=Kimberley Land Council| title=Native title-Wanjina Wunggurr Uungguu| website=klc.org.au| accessdate=19 February 2011| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216034030/http://klc.org.au/native-title/wanjina-wunggurr-uungguu/| archivedate=16 February 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref> In May 2011, native title was eventually determined for the Wunambal Gaambera people, represented by the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation [[RNTBC]]. The first stage of the Uunguu [[Indigenous Protected Area]] (IPA) encompassing {{convert|343,700|ha}} hectares was created at this time, with the second stage declared in 2015. The IPA covers {{convert|759,806|ha}} {{as of|lc=yes|2020}}. The WGAC works in partnership with [[Bush Heritage Australia]], a [[Non-governmental organization|non-government organisation]] working to preserve the environment.<ref name=bush>{{cite web | title=Wunambal Gaambera Partnership | website=Bush Heritage Australia | url=https://www.bushheritage.org.au/places-we-protect/western-australia/wunambal-gaambera | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
The WA [[Parks and Wildlife Service]] manages the park jointly with the Wunambal Gaambera.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/mitchell-river|title=Mitchell River National Park|website=[[Parks and Wildlife Service]]|access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
In March 2015, the [[Government of Western Australia]] agreed on a ban on mining with both [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto]] and [[Alcoa Australia]], which would allow protection over an area of {{convert|1,750|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Holland 2015">{{cite web | last=Holland | first=Steve | title=Miners agree on new national park for WA's Kimberley region, Australia's biggest | website=WAtoday | date=24 March 2015 | url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/miners-agree-on-new-national-park-for-was-kimberley-region-australias-biggest-20150324-1m6h8q.html | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> The government had started on negotiations with traditional owners with a view to creating a huge [[protected area]] which would lie next to the already-planned [[Great Kimberley Marine Park]].<ref name=pew/> A new huge Kimberley National Park had been planned (based on a 2013 election commitment)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2017/01/New-national-park-for-the-north-Kimberley.aspx|title=New national park for the north Kimberley|first=Albert|last=Jacob|publisher=[[Government of Western Australia]]|date=30 January 2017|access-date=11 November 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111130207/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2017/01/New-national-park-for-the-north-Kimberley.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> to cover more than {{convert|20,000|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and would include the Prince Regent National Park and the Lawley River National Park].<ref name="Holland 2015"/> Rio Tinto committed to {{AUD|750,000}} worth of spending on land rehabilitation where drilling had already occurred.<ref>{{cite news | title=Australia's biggest national park to be created in WA's Kimberley as mining companies relinquish tenement | website=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=24 March 2015 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-24/australias-biggest-national-park-to-be-created-in-wa/6344732 | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> However, {{as of|2020|lc=yes}}, with a change of government in 2017, the plan for the new park has not as yet advanced.<ref>{{cite web | title=Plan for Our Parks | website=[[Parks and Wildlife Service]]|publisher=[[Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions]] (WA) | url=https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-service/plan-for-our-parks | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Plan for Our Parks regions in focus | website=Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | url=https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/parks-and-wildlife-service/plan-for-our-parks/regions | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
==Flora and fauna==
The Mitchell Plateau, according to [[The Pew Charitable Trusts|Pew Outback]], "is the only part of mainland Australia where no native species extinctions have occurred".<ref name=pew/>
The park is biologically significant and contains over 50 species of mammal, 220 birds and 86 [[amphibian]]s and reptiles, including the [[saltwater crocodile]], [[Pseudechis australis|king brown snake]] and [[taipan]].<ref name=bird/>
There are [[mangrove]]s, [[swamp]]s, [[woodland]]s as well as patches of [[tropical rainforest]]. A species of [[Livistona]] palm [[endemic]] to the north Kimberley, ''[[Livistona eastonii]]'',<ref name=pew>{{cite web | title=The Jewel of the Kimberley Western Australias Mitchell Plateau Protected | website=The Pew Charitable Trusts | date=14 April 2015 | url=http://pew.org/1GiaGNx | access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> may grow up to {{convert|18|m}} and some are as old as 280 years.<ref name=derby/>
The [[monjon]] (a small [[rock wallaby]]) and the [[rough-scaled python]] live in [[sandstone]] areas of the plateau.<ref name=derby/> Other important species include the [[dugong]], [[flatback turtle]], [[northern quoll]], [[scaly-tailed possum]], and the [[golden-backed tree rat]].<ref name=bush/>
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 [[Kimberley tropical savanna|tropical savanna habitats]].<ref name=bird>{{cite web|url=http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |title=IBA: Prince Regent and Mitchell River |accessdate=22 September 2011 |publisher=Birds Australia |website=birdata.com.au |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102341/http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |archivedate=6 July 2011 }}</ref> It is home to the near [[threatened species]], the [[black grasswren]], which nests in sandstone crevices.<ref name=derby/>
==Access==
The Mitchell Plateau track, off the Kalumburu Road ({{convert|172|km|abbr=on}} north of the [[Gibb River Road]] junction, is accessible by [[4WD]] only. There is an [[airstrip]].<ref name=derby/>
== Climate ==
Mitchell River National Park has a [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Aw]]) with warm temperatures present year round. The wet season typically runs from November through March and is very rainy. The following climate data is for Mitchell Plateau.
{{Weather box|location = Mitchell Plateau
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 40.9
|Feb record high C = 38.1
|Mar record high C = 37.3
|Apr record high C = 40.0
|May record high C = 37.3
|Jun record high C = 33.5
|Jul record high C = 34.7
|Aug record high C = 37.3
|Sep record high C = 39.4
|Oct record high C = 40.5
|Nov record high C = 42.3
|Dec record high C = 39.7
|year record high C =
|Jan high C = 32.5
|Feb high C = 32.1
|Mar high C = 32.7
|Apr high C = 33.2
|May high C = 31.7
|Jun high C = 29.6
|Jul high C = 30.1
|Aug high C = 32.5
|Sep high C = 34.5
|Oct high C = 35.7
|Nov high C = 36.0
|Dec high C = 34.5
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 27.6
|Feb mean C = 27.3
|Mar mean C = 27.3
|Apr mean C = 25.9
|May mean C = 23.2
|Jun mean C = 20.4
|Jul mean C = 19.9
|Aug mean C = 22.6
|Sep mean C = 25.4
|Oct mean C = 27.8
|Nov mean C = 29.2
|Dec mean C = 28.7
|Jan low C = 22.8
|Feb low C = 22.6
|Mar low C = 21.9
|Apr low C = 18.6
|May low C = 14.8
|Jun low C = 11.2
|Jul low C = 9.7
|Aug low C = 12.7
|Sep low C = 16.4
|Oct low C = 20.0
|Nov low C = 22.4
|Dec low C = 23.0
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = 17.9
|Feb record low C = 18.4
|Mar record low C = 16.5
|Apr record low C = 9.4
|May record low C = 5.2
|Jun record low C = 1.5
|Jul record low C = 1.7
|Aug record low C = 4.2
|Sep record low C = 7.5
|Oct record low C = 9.0
|Nov record low C = 15.6
|Dec record low C = 18.2
|year record low C =
|rain colour =
|Jan rain mm = 378.6
|Feb rain mm = 367.5
|Mar rain mm = 320.4
|Apr rain mm = 41.0
|May rain mm = 31.5
|Jun rain mm = 8.4
|Jul rain mm = 16.4
|Aug rain mm = 1.3
|Sep rain mm = 11.8
|Oct rain mm = 52.0
|Nov rain mm = 126.9
|Dec rain mm = 182.1
|Jan rain days = 19.6
|Feb rain days = 19.6
|Mar rain days = 17.8
|Apr rain days = 5.4
|May rain days = 2.2
|Jun rain days = 0.7
|Jul rain days = 0.6
|Aug rain days = 0.3
|Sep rain days = 1.7
|Oct rain days = 4.7
|Nov rain days = 10.3
|Dec rain days = 13.9
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_001012.shtml |title=Climate statistics for Australian locations: Monthly climate statistics |website=www.bom.gov.au}}</ref>}}
==See also==
* [[List of protected areas of Western Australia]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{National Parks of Western Australia}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:National parks of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Kimberley (Western Australia)]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2000]]
[[Category:Kimberley tropical savanna]]