Crystal Creek camp site (Mitchell Plateau

Hi Eric

You can send Dave a Member Message with your email details, or send him an email. Just click on the "View Members Rig & Profile" link below his pic, and you'll see what I mean.

Cheers
John

Yep - agree with Eric. We were up the Mitchel Plateau at the same time, and also camped near the helicopters (love the smell of avgas in the morning ....) and no flies to worry us either. Great camp spot.
Jack

I was up in Mitchell Falls campsite Mid September. The March flies were a bit annoying - are these 'SandFlies' in someone else's language???

Eric,
I was interested to read that CALM are now charging camp fees at the Mitchell Falls campground (where the helicopters are). We camped there this year for 3 nights in late June and in July for 4 nights in 2004 and have never paid any fees.
When did this come in and what are the fees they are charging?
Mish

DEC are introducing camping fees to the Mitchell River campsite effective from 1st April 2007 for the general public. $6.50 (adult), and $2(child) per night.
Tourist operators fees will be effective from 1st April 2008.
Any track info and any DEC related issues within WA you access this through their website or a link through our 4WD Association which has a link to DEC, www.wa4wda.com.au
Eric

Hi Eric,

I would enjoy any information you have on the areas. I have been lucky enough to have my parents even send me hours of DVD footage from the there last visit up there this year. Any way points/tracks for OZEXPLORER would be great as I run it on my PDA GPS. You can contact me via the Member Message button or e-mail. I am currently unable to gain access to my standard e-mail account (until x-mas) due to work and travel.

Cheers mate

Dave

Been early 90's since I was last there. The sign at the edge of the plateau, before you descended to Crystal Creek, said "To Crystal Creek - crododiles and sandflies abound".
I took the sign at its word and camped back at the Mitchel Falls campsite, tho I did visit Crystal Creek on a day drive.
Was the track out to Walsh Point driveable when you were there? It was a nice place to visit, with middens, and also crocs to greet you.

My recollection of the last visit to the Mitchell Falls campsite ('92) was the helicopter (which had taken over the best campsite, and fuel drums everywhere) starting up at 6am and warming the motor for 15 minutes each day. With us camping 100 metres away, its presence was noted. I hope things have changed, as our first visit to the Falls campsite in '90 was one of peace and tranquility on Myrten Creek. The second visit made up my mind that I wouldn't go back if the helicopter was staying. I know these copters have their place in these areas, but, for example, the copter at the Bungles is located well away from the campsite, and does not fly over the camp.
Gerry

The helicopter now has a permanent site at Michell Falls and is not far from the camping site. We have to put up with the helicopter noise. Mitchell Falls is usually not bad for sand flies cause you are away from the mangroves as opposed to Crystal Creek which is surrounded by mangroves. For those that don't know the difference between sand flies and march flies, sand flies are the very small black buggers and you don't know they have been on you till the next day when you start scratching. March flies are the big buggers that bite you and you will know straight away, you can at least see them but don't have any lasting effects after they bite that I know of. the sand flies bites will last for up to 2 weeks
Cheers

Thanks for the information guys. I suppose I was getting my hopes up. I was hoping that the sand flies might have been a seasonal thing. After all your responses, I think I will strike it from our camping roster and check it out on a day trip. Is there anywhere else around the area for bush camping, somewhere away from helicopters and such????

Does the land handover sound like it might be in the near future or is it a "one day" affair where no-one will really know until it happens. Hopefully access along the track wont be affect. Thanks for the heads up mate.

Dave