28 Nov 08 Undara Lava Tubes

Undara Volcanic National Park is a pleasant four hour drive (275 kilometers) south west of Cairns (also accessible by train and coach).  Undara boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine each year with little humidity and cool evenings, but the main attraction for visitors found here is not the climate but the Undara Lava Tubes.

The Lava Tubes were formed about 190,000 years ago when Mt. Undara erupted and oozed an estimated 23 billion cubic meters of lava over the plains of the Atherton Tablelands.  The molten lava traveled along the river bed for about 2 or 3 weeks where it formed a large cylindrical tunnel 100 kilometers long.  One continuous branch is up to 28 kilometers long, possibly the longest tube in the world and similar to the lunar ridges on the moon.  Time has seen weaker sections collapse and become covered with heavy vegetation and deciduous rain forest.  This, in turn, has left huge caves, some 21 meters wide and 10 meters high – heaven on earth for bats.

Undara captures the spirit and the essence of the ancient Australian outback, dwarfed by its magnitude it wraps itself around you and fills you full of wonder.

Old railway carriage accommodation, a lodge, a camping village and places to eat and have a drink, plus picnic areas and toilets all go to make a stay at Undara inviting.  Visitors can climb the volcano, bush walk and bird watch (over 120 species of birds including the endangered Red Goshawk).  However, a guided tour must be taken to inspect the lava tube.  A one day, or half day trek here is fun, participants are allowed to climb down into the tubes and take a glimpse at vulcanology, ecology, botany and bat life.  This is a fantastic experience, one of the wonders of Australia.