undara lava tubes tour times

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• Why the Undara Lava Tubes should be on your must-see list

Hannah Statham

Some adventures are off the beaten track and others, like the Undara Lava Tubes, are underneath it. You’ll need to dip below the earth’s surface, to explore these famous 190,000-year-old lava tunnels that point to an explosion when 23 cubic kilometres of lava flowed for 160 kilometres, carving a natural playground south-west of Cairns.

It might only be three and a half hours’ drive from Cairns, but the Undara Lava Tubes feels worlds away. Consider this a road trip to be savoured, because across 255 kilometres you’ll be swapping the reef and rainforest for outback savannah country – as mountains flanked with rainforest give way to termite mounds and sparse vegetation.

Allow ample time to chase waterfalls across the Atherton Tablelands as you make your way from Cairns to your final destination, Undara Volcanic National Park. Aim to arrive by sundown, taking extra care of the native wildlife who like to share the road too.

Where to stay?

Stay in a turn of the century rail carriage

Leave your camping equipment at home and opt for the swag tent village

When visiting one of Australia’s greatest geological wonders, you’ll want to stay close to the action. The Undara Experience is the only accommodation within the national park, offering a range of options from restored turn of the century rail carriages to camping (both BYO and tent city style), caravanning, well-appointed pioneer huts and homestead rooms.

No matter which style you choose, you’ll have access to the crowd-pleasing bush breakfast on offer at the Ringers Camp – an Aussie-fry up (think: bacon, eggs, snags cooked over the coals) and a piping hot cup of Billy Tea, all set to the backing vocals of the native birds.

How were the lava tubes formed?

Vine thickets have reclaimed some of the tubes

Welcome to the inner workings of a volcano that erupted 190,000 years ago, spilling enough lava to fill Sydney Harbour three times over. The tubes you see today were formed when this enormous volume of molten lava drained, leaving behind a series of hollow tubes, which mother nature has since landscaped with tools of her own – water, wind, and rain – giving the Undara Lava Tubes their spectacular colouration.

In parts of the lava tube system, rainforest has reclaimed this former volcano, with thick vine thickets sheltering the entrances to some of the tubes, giving the landscape incredible Jurassic qualities in photographs.

How to see the lava tubes?

The Archway Explorer Tour features stairs and boardwalks

Both tours offer highlights of the tubes

To see the geological wonders, you’ll need to join one of the Undara Experience’s Savannah Guides for a tour that delves into one of the world’s longest cave systems. Considering the name Undara translates to “the long way” in the local Indigenous language, you’d be right to wear comfortable walking shoes, regardless of the format you choose.

For an introduction to Undara’s Lava Tubes and a two-hour tour time, join the Archway Explorer , which covers some of the highlights of the system via boardwalks and stairs. This tour is the preferred-pick for tiny-travellers, those with accessible needs and / or travellers with a basic fitness level.

To explore more of the lava tube system, the Wind Tunnel Explorer guarantees adventure, taking you to three sections of the tubes across two hours. A moderate fitness level is required for this tour, with its uneven surfaces, some rock scrambling and lack of infrastructure to get you there. Either tour you choose, don’t expect to be submerged into total darkness. There are gaping holes in the tube system, which light up these cavernous caves.

What else is there to do?

See wildlife come alive at night on the Wildlife at Sunset tour

For a documentary of David Attenborough proportions, join the Undara Experience for their nightly Wildlife at Sunset tour. As dusk descends on the national park, you’ll visit the entrance of Barker’s Tube to watch thousands of microbats leave to feed for the night.

The volume of bats alone is impressive, but that’s only part of the experience. The real spectacle is their nightly dance with death – as these brave bats have to get past pythons and tree snakes who dangle like Medusa’s hair over the tube’s opening, to catch the microbats on their nightly mission.

Where to eat?

Toast bread on a fire at the Bush Breakfast

Enjoy traditional Billy Tea

Dine in a former railway carriage at the Fettler’s Iron Pot Bistro

In a nod to the Undara Experience’s outback location, the hospitality synonymous with the region, can be found in full swing here. Meet other travellers for the Bush Breakfast , which is served over the coals and washed down with freshly brewed billy tea each morning.

Both lunch and dinner are available at the Fettler’s Iron Pot Bistro, which takes pride of place in a former railway carriage. The menu at Fettler’s is as retro as the furnishings, serving up the likes of corned beef, Georgetown sausages and homemade desserts, including their crowd-pleasing chocolate volcano. In between main meal times, Saloon Car Bar, slings coffees, beers, wines and tea and cake to hungry (and thirsty) travellers.

What other walks are around?

The park is full of unique volcanic landscapes

Walk the rim of the Kalkani Crater

The underground lava tubes are only a fraction of this national park. Armed with a trail map, you can take your pick of the bushwalks through the park, which range from easy (2.5km) to more challenging hikes (12km). To really get a lay of the land, take the Kalkani Crater Walk which follows the line of the volcano and circuits the crater rim. The views are mesmerising – to take in the lava plains and other volcanic vents that point to a time when this was an active eruption zone, set aside an hour and a half for this 2.5 kilometre return walk. Did you know the park was once home to 164 volcanoes

Chasing more views where this came from? If you’re an experienced hiker and like long format walks, set aside six hours to take the 12 kilometre return hike to Rosella Plains Lookout via Atkinsons Lookout. This trail offers views of the McBride’s Volcanic Province, along with a variety of landscapes from lowlands, steep inclines that scale jump ups, and plenty of native vegetation in between.

Mark your diary for these events

Undara Rock and Blues

A rock music festival set to the backdrop of this ancient landscape? You’d have to see it to believe it. Save the date on or around ANZAC Day, for the annual Undara Outback Rock and Blues Music event, which takes over the national park for three days of country music.

Later in the year, the Rockabilly Rods and Rides Festival makes use of the natural, outdoor amphitheatre with live music and entertainment.

What are the locals like?

Meet other travellers at the nightly campfire

You can expect to meet a few friendly Undara locals during your stay here. The likes of rock wallabies, emus, birds, and eastern grey kangaroos are spotted here daily. Meet and greets are also easily facilitated with other two-legged guests – in the spirit of outback hospitality, the Undara Experience run a nightly communal campfire, which is free for all Undara guests from 7.30pm.

You only need read a few reviews of other travellers’ time here to see it’s the combination of geology, flora and fauna, and the friendly guests you meet a long the way, that cements the Undara Experience as a must-see attraction in Tropical North Queensland.

Tropical North Queensland has a calendar filled with exciting events for you to explore! See what’s coming up next.

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Awe-inspiring wonders

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Visiting the Undara Lava Tubes

The Undara Lava Tubes are a fascinating geological formation and one of the highlights of the Savannah Way in Far North Queensland.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and loves exploring different parts of Australia.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Travel Australia Today and has been a journalist for 20 years.

Here's what you need to know about visiting the Undara Lava Tubes in Far North Queensland, including:

• What to expect at Undara Volcanic National Park?
• Details about the Undara Experience
• The best tours of the Undara Lava Tubes
• The main walking trails at Undara
• Options for accommodation at Undara

It was 190,000 years ago that a massive volcano erupted here at Undara. The eruption was so enormous that enough lava was spewed out to fill Sydney Harbour almost 50 times! And it flowed so far, that it created the Undara Lava Tubes – the longest of their kind in the world.

These incredible rock formations are now the highlight of Undara Volcanic National Park in Far North Queensland, where visiting the Undara Lava Tubes can be done as either a side trip from Cairns or as part of a road trip along the Savannah Way.

As you approach Undara Volcanic National Park, there’s nothing at first that gives away the tumultuous geothermal activity that occurred here eons ago. The savannah woodland of grevillea and eucalyptus is the same as anywhere else in this part of Outback Queensland.

It’s when you take one of the tours deeper into the park that the lava tubes are revealed.

I didn’t really have an image of them in my head beforehand, and I was quite surprised when I saw them in person. Despite what the name might suggest, they’re not small pipes that you might need to crawl through – they are more like enormous caverns that a couple of double-decker buses could drive through side by side.

The lava from the volcano 190,000 years ago created several lava flows, with the biggest about 160 kilometres long, and the next longest about 90 kilometres. Although each would’ve been a single tube at one point, lots of sections have collapsed over the years. That’s why the bits you visit these days look more like caves.

A very quick geology lesson

Geology is not the most exciting topic, but it’s worth understanding how the Undara Lava Tubes were formed if you’re planning to see them (although, of course, the guides will explain this as well).

The short version is that when the Undara Volcano erupted 190,000 years ago, all the lava that was spewing out of it had to go somewhere, and it flowed into channels formed from old watercourses.

As it flowed along, the lava started to cool down from the outside first, so the edges of this river of fire solidified and formed a crust. This crust actually insulated everything inside it, keeping the rest of the molten lava hot enough to continue flowing along its path, which is why they are so long.

The eruption continued for about three weeks, with more lava strengthening the walls and the ceiling of these tubes, until they were strong enough to stand on their own – and withstand the tests of time.

What remained when the volcano settled down were the Undara Lava Tubes.

Where are the Undara Lava Tubes?

The Undara Lava Tubes are in the Outback of Far North Queensland, within Undara Volcanic National Park. They are about 3.5 hours’ drive from Cairns or 5 hours’ drive from Townsville.

The Undara Lava Tubes are on the Savannah Way, a popular driving route between Cairns and Broome.

How long are the Undara Lava Tubes?

There were several different flows that formed the lava tubes. The longest of the Undara Lava Tubes is about 160 kilometres long, and the next biggest is about 90 kilometres long.

Can you walk the Undara Lava Tubes yourself?

You can visit the Undara Lava Tubes – but not by yourself. The only way to see the tubes and to walk through them is with a guided tour. There are two companies that offer guided tours to the Undara Lava Tubes (and I’ve got that information further down).

Although there are a few things to do within Undara Volcanic National Park, it’s the Undara Lava Tubes that are the highlight. You can only visit them with a guided tour, and there are just two companies that offer that – Undara Experience and Bedrock Village , both of which also provide accommodation.

Bedrock Village is about 40 minutes’ drive away, whereas Undara Experience is right in the park – and I’ll go through the benefits of each option shortly.

The other main activity here is hiking, and there are a few routes to choose from – some with spectacular views from the top of the hills.

If you’ve got time, it’s certainly worth spending at least 24 hours here so you can take at least one of the tours (and possibly even a second one), enjoy a hike or two, and relax amongst the beautiful landscapes.

Undara Volcanic National Park

Although the Undara Lava Tubes once stretched out for huge distances, the sections that you can visit today are within the Undara Volcanic National Park.

I always like to give a bit of information about the specifics of each national park – but, in this case, there’s not much of the park that you can access on your own, so it’s pretty straightforward.

There are only a few things to do in Undara Volcanic National Park. The first is to visit the Undara Lava Tubes, the second is the Kalkani Crater rim walk, and the third are some walks around the Undara Experience. I’ll go through each of these in detail shortly.

There’s no entry fee for Undara Volcanic National Park and access is easy. Although some of the roads are gravel, they are fine for any type of vehicle, even if it’s been raining.

There’s food and drink available at the Undara Experience, although it’s wise to bring some snacks and water with you, in case of emergency (especially if you’re going to do some of the walks).

Pets are not allowed in the national park, so if you’re travelling with a dog, you’ll need to choose one of the accommodation options back on the highway.

Undara Experience

Undara Experience is not the only company that has tourism offerings for visitors at Undara Volcanic National Park – but it is the main one, and it’s the only one actually based here. (I’ll have more on the alternatives shortly).

Right in the heart of the national park, Undara Experience has a range of accommodation options, including sites for tents, powered sites for campervans, cabins, and even rooms in converted heritage train carriages.

When it comes to food, Undara Experience has a huge bar and restaurant area in a semi-outdoor setting sheltered by a large roof that evokes the shape of the lava tubes.

And in the mornings it runs a ‘bush breakfast’ a short walk away, where the tea and coffee is brewed over a fire and you’ll make your own toast over the coals (but, don’t worry, you don’t need to cook the bacon and eggs yourself).

Undara Experience is also one of two operators that are allowed to run tours to the the lava tubes – and that’s the reason you come here, right? You don’t have to be staying at the accommodation to take the tours, but it makes sense to do that, unless you’re planning to just stop for a couple of hours on a day of driving.

Undara Lava Tubes tours

You can’t see the lava tubes without a tour – and you can’t even get close enough to ‘kind of’ see them – so you’ll need to choose at least one tour when you’re here.

Undara Experience is one of the two main operators and its tours leave from its headquarters in the national park, just a short drive from the geological sites.

There are three tour options to choose from:

• Wind Tunnel Explorer: If you only have time for one tour, then this is the one I would suggest. It’s two hours long and takes you to three different sections of the lava tube. You’ll go into the caverns for the best views and learn plenty about the geology of the site.
• Archway Explorer: This tour is also two hours long but goes to some different parts of the park, in particular The Archway which is a short section of tube open at both ends. This tour is easier so I would recommend it for less mobile visitors. Although you could do both tours, the commentary will be quite similar.
• Wildlife at Sunset: If you are keen to do two tours, I would recommend doing this one as the second option. It’s focused more on the animals and the plants of the park – and you’re sure to spot a few wallabies and kangaroos along the way. The tour includes drinks on a hilltop for sunset (with stunning views) but the highlight is going into one of the caves after dark as all the bats fly out!

The other local operator that has permission to take tours to the Undara Lava Tubes is Bedrock Village, and the thing I like about their offerings is that it’s something a bit different to Undara Experience, so you do have a legitimate choice.

The Bedrock Village tours are slightly more expensive – but that’s because they include a lot more, such as meals and a walk around the Kalkani Crater (although you can do that without a guide).

Here are the two tours the Bedrock Village offers, both of which leave from their site back on the highway at Mount Surprise.

• Full-day tour: This tour is actually a great way to see everything and makes for a fun day out. It starts with a walk around Kalkani Crater, which is inside the national park, followed by visits to several sections of Undara Lava Tubes. There’s morning and afternoon tea included, as well as a lunch!
• Morning tour: The morning tour is basically just a shorter version of the full-day tour. You’ll also have the walk at Kalkani Crater and see a few sections of the lava tubes. But it moves a bit faster and only morning tea is included, because you’ll be back by lunchtime.

When it comes to choosing the best Undara tour, I would just suggest going for the one that suits your schedule and accommodation choice, because you’ll see pretty much the same things with either operator.

Undara walking trails

Aside from the Undara Lava Tubes, one of the other main things to do at Undara are some walks – and there are a few lovely ones to choose from.

I think the best walk is the Kalkani Crater rim walk . It leads you up to the top of a volcanic crater and then the path does a loop around the rim. The ascent is not particularly steep and the whole walk is 3.8 kilometres in total. The average walker will be able to do it in about an hour.

The longest walk in the national park is the Rosella Plains lookout trail and it leaves from the Undara Experience. It’s a loop walk that is 12 kilometres in total and takes at least 4 hours. The trail leads you though granite country, with some wonderful views of the rocky outcrops and lots of colourful flora along the way.

From the Undara Experience, there are a few other shorter walks you can do, including The Bluff (2.3 kilometres as a loop) or The Bush Walk (5.8 kilometres as a loop), or the Flat Rock Track (8.6 kilometres return).

Each of these walks have similar landscapes, although the Flat Rock Trail also takes you closer to some swamp areas where you might see a bit more birdlife.

With all of them, you can just go along as far as you want and then come back, if you don’t have time for the whole walk. But I think it’s worth seeing some of this gorgeous country – particularly around sunset or sunrise.

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation at the Undara Lava Tubes, there are a few options, with sites for campervans/camping or normal rooms.

As I’ve already mentioned, the main place to stay at the Undara Lava Tubes is the Undara Experience , a large complex right in the park that has a range of accommodation, plus a great restaurant and bar.

The Undara Experience is certainly the easiest option and the location gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of the walks right from your accommodation, without having to drive to the start of the trails. The tours that are run here are also very good.

The main downside is that you’ll pay more for the convenience, with unpowered camping sites starting at $35 and rooms in the railway carriages from $190. The bush breakfast, a wonderful experience where your tea or coffee will be brewed over a campfire, is $27.50.

If you’re not worried about price, the Undara Experience would be my strong recommendation.

Bedrock Village

The other main option for accommodation for people visiting the Undara Lava Tubes is Bedrock Village . It’s back on the main highway, about 40 minutes’ drive away.

Just like Undara Experience, Bedrock Village has tent sites, van sites, and cabins. The accommodation is a bit more basic, as are the facilities, but the main difference is that they’re about half the price!

Staying at Bedrock Village also means that you’re not in the national park itself so it is a fair drive to go in and see the sights. But if you’re just going to do one of Bedrock’s tours, then that’s not such a problem. And for anyone towing a large caravan, for example, being able to stay on the highway can be an advantage.

Other options

There aren’t many other options in the area, but there a couple of alternatives to consider.

The Mt Surprise Tourist Park has a selection of accommodation, including campsites, powered sites, and motel rooms. Everything is relatively rustic, but there’s a charm to this kind of place.

Another option closer to Cairns is Pinnarendi Station , which has sites for caravans and camping. It’s only about 30 minutes’ drive to Undara, so it’s easy to use as a base to visit the lava tubes.

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Undara Volcanic National Park Tropical North Queensland

Photo credit: © Tourism Tropical North Qld

Visiting Undara safely

Sunset over Undara Volcanic National Park

Photo credit: Eleanor Collins © Queensland Government

Getting there and getting around

• Undara Volcanic National Park map (PDF, 202.3KB)

Undara Volcanic National Park is about 300km by road south-west of Cairns. From Cairns, drive south along the Bruce Highway to Gordonvale. Turn right and follow the signs to the Atherton Tablelands, up the Gillies Range. The range road is 19km long and very winding. Once at the top of the range, continue on to Ravenshoe and then follow the signs to Mount Garnet. Continue towards Mount Surprise, passing through Forty Mile Scrub National Park (Savannah Way). The turn-off to Undara is 17km along the Gulf Developmental Road. Travel a further 6km to a fork in the road. Discovery Resort—Undara is 9km along the road on the right-hand side. To reach the Kalkani day-use area, turn left at the fork and travel 6km on an all-weather gravel road. All roads are suitable for conventional vehicles although the roads can be corrugated.

If travelling from Townsville head west along the Hervey Range Road for approximately 130km, then turn right onto the Gregory Developmental Road. Travel a further 174km through Greenvale to the Lynd Junction. From here, take the Kennedy Highway towards Mount Garnet and turn left at the Gulf Developmental Road (Savannah Way). Continue on as above.

See the Department of Transport and Main Roads for information about road and travel conditions. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Access to the lava tubes is only available by guided tour. Book your guided tours through Discovery Resorts—Undara or Discovery Parks—Mount Surprise . Concealed holes where the tubes have collapsed, a confusing landscape, and high carbon dioxide levels in some tubes, make the lava tube area dangerous for visitors without an experienced guide. The Kalkani Crater rim is accessible to the public without a tour guide.

For more information see the tourism information links and park alerts .

Wheelchair accessibility

The Kalkani day-use area has wheelchair-accessible toilets. Road Cave has ramps and a lift that can be accessed as part of a guided tour booked through Discovery Resorts–Undara or Discovery Parks–Mount Surprise. For more information, see the tourism information links .

Staying safe

Make safety a priority when visiting this national park.

• Wear sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing and sturdy footwear.
• Always carry water and try to walk in the cooler part of the day.
• Take a track map from Discovery Resorts–Undara on all walks and stay on the walking tracks and trails provided.
• Walk in daylight hours only.
• In an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000).
• Mobile phone coverage is unreliable in most of the park.

For more information, please read the general guidelines on safety in parks and forests .

Before you visit

Essentials to bring.

Preparation is key to a safe and enjoyable visit. Make sure you bring:

• drinking water
• sunscreen, enclosed footwear, hat and sunglasses
• insect repellent and suitable clothing to protect against insect bites
• rubbish bags.

Opening hours

Undara Volcanic National Park is open 24 hours a day. Temporary seasonal closures may be encountered. In very wet periods, sections of caves may be flooded and closed to visitors. Access to the lava tubes is only by guided tour booked through Discovery Resorts–Undara or Discovery Parks–Mount Surprise . To protect breeding bats, access to the Wind Tunnel Complex and Barkers Cave is restricted from November–February. See park alerts for up-to-date information.

Permits and fees

Permits are required for commercial or organised events . View permits and fees for further information.

Domestic animals are not permitted in Undara Volcanic National Park.

Climate and weather

The weather at Undara Volcanic National Park is hot, humid and can be very wet from late October through to late March. September and early October are generally dry and hot. The drier, cooler months of April to August are considered the preferred time to visit. For more information see the tourism information links .

Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology .

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Mount Surprise, Mount Garnet and Discovery Resorts–Undara. For more information, see the tourism information links .

Park alerts

• Smoke Alert, Undara Volcanic National Park 16–26 April 2024

View all park alerts

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Far North Escapes

Undara Tours

Explore th e Undara Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge on an all-inclusive One or two Day 4WD tour of outback Queensland and discover the beauty of this unique landscape. Travel in a small group on our one or two-day Undara Tours, which include a unique style railway carriage and an insight into the history and unique Queensland outback. Have a group of friends and family? ask us about a private charter option! This is a unique travel opportunity in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Private 1 Day Undara Tour

$ 1,065.00 AUD

Explore the natural landscapes of rolling savannah plains with the award-winning Undara Lava Tubes. Walk around the Kalkani Volcano Crater and see amazing views of the Undara lava Tube line in the Gulf Savahhna Country. Adventure through Undara volcanic national park and let our Far North Escapes guides show you one of Australia's geological wonders.

Undara Lava Tubes Tours

These strange lava tube formations beneath the land are now acclaimed as one of the longest lava tube systems known in the world today. As guests of the Undara lava tube experience, you will be able to explore the remains of the earth's longest flow of lava that originated from a single volcano. The eruption caused lava to flow over 90kms north and 160kms northwest. With different tour options catering to all levels of fitness and physical abilities, Undara Lava Tubes truly is an experience you will never forget.

Undara Cave Tours

The lava tubes at Undara are a rare sight. They were created during a volcanic eruption many thousands of years ago when a major volcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a rocky river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the volcano and thus creating the present-day Undara lava tubes.

Undara Experience Tours

If you're looking for a great way to see the country, there's no better option than the Savannah Way. You'll be able to fit it all in and arrive at Undara by mid morning after a few interesting stops on the way. The further inland you travel, the sparser both the landscape and the population become so be sure to travel prepared with a full tank of petrol, extra water, and a good map. Some fun and notable places to stop along the way including the Henry Ross lookout on the way to Kuranda, the Peanut Place for some yummy samples, and the Herberton Historical Village where you will feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Undara Resort

The Undara Experience has five different styles of overnight accommodation available. The most unique style is the beautifully restored turn of the century railway carriages. There is a stunning little swimming pool that is the perfect place to cool down and refresh after your long journey to the outback Undara Lava Tubes.

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Visiting the Undara Lava Tubes, QLD

For families travelling around Tropical North Queensland, a few days exploring the Undara Lava Tubes is an absolute must!  Located in the Undara Volcanic National Park , this unique natural wonder will have you walking in the path of an ancient volcano, through lava caves, now hidden under the remnants of a dry rainforest.

The best way to experience the Undara caves is by staying at least two nights at the Undara Experience .  This amazing property has a range of accommodation options and is also where the various Undara lava tube tours commence. So to help you plan your own family trip to this exciting part of Queensland I’ve put together this guide which contains all the information you’ll need.

As well as covering all the information about the Undara lava caves , this guide also covers how to get to Undara, information on the Undara accommodation options and of course all the details on the different Undara lava tubes tour options.

So let’s get started and plan your family trip to Undara National Park !

You can also check out our video on  YouTube here , which shows you all of the highlights from our recent stay.

Planning a trip to Queensland? Have any questions? Join our Queensland Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

Page Contents

• 1 How to get to the Undara Volcanic National Park Queensland
• 2.1.1 Pioneer Huts
• 2.1.2 Railway Carriage 
• 2.1.3 Homesteads
• 2.2.1 Swags Tent Village (Glamping)
• 2.2.2 Camping
• 2.2.3 Undara Caravan Park
• 3.1 Archway Explorer
• 3.2 Wind Tunnel Explorer
• 3.3 Wildlife at Sunset
• 4.1 Swimming Pool
• 4.2 Bushwalking and Bike Tracks
• 4.3 Dining Options
• 4.4 Nightly Campfire
• 5 Undara Lava Tubes to Cobbold Gorge
• 6 Undara Experience – Our Verdict

How to get to the Undara Volcanic National Park Queensland

Tropical North Queensland brings us another outback wonder – Undara Queensland , set in the Gulf Savannah country.

The good news – Undara is easily accessible by vehicles, whether that be car, 4WD or Motorhome. The great news is that all the roads are sealed. Whilst some stretches of road are narrow or single line and you will have to pull off the road if a Road Train is coming (these can be up to 50 metres long) – all in all, it is a relatively painless drive with kids.

Driving, it will take between 3.5 to 4 hours from Cairns to Undara Lava Tubes and from 4 to 5.5 hours from Townsville to Undara Lava Tubes.

Undara Accommodation

If you want to experience the Undara Lava Tubes, accommodation is available at the gateway to the National Park, ensuring you have maximum time to explore this fascinating natural wonder with a trained Savannah Guide.

With accommodation catering to various lifestyles and budgets, you will find something to suit your family. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the friendly hospitality of both the staff and the native Australian animals – including kangaroos, wallabies and kookaburras right on your doorstep.

Cabins and Rooms

If you prefer to sleep indoors, with the comforts from home, then the following cabins and rooms accommodation near Undara Lava tubes , could be right for you and your family.

Pioneer Huts

For premium accommodation, you can’t go past the Pioneer Huts. Sleeping up to 3 people in King/Twin bedding and sofa bed, these are for the smaller families out there. 

Amenities include air-con, tea & coffee facilities and a small fridge. Whilst the private verandah is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy an alfresco meal whilst you spot the wildlife amongst the Savannah Woodlands.  

Railway Carriage 

Want to sleep in award-winning accommodation? The Undara train accommodation has won both Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for ‘Unique Accommodation’!

These railway carriages aren’t all squishy and graffiti-ridden like the carriages on your morning commute may be. No, these beautifully resorted carriages can accommodate up to 4 guests in Queen/Twin bedding and sofa bed. There is also tea & coffee making facilities and a small fridge for convenience. Shaded by tall trees and surrounded by native wildlife, this sure is a unique place to stay, that both kids and adults will enjoy!

The Homesteads are the latest addition to the accommodation options at Undara. With King/Twin bedding and sofa bed, tea & coffee making facilities and a small fridge – this is really all the basic necessities any family needs.

The Homesteads got their name as they are dedicated to six of the original pioneering homesteads in the Undara region, the name is another way history is brought to life at the Undara National Park accommodation .

Undara Camping

If your family’s accommodation preference is more of the outdoorsy style, Undara Lava Tubes camping has you covered. Whether you want to roll out a swag, pitch a tent, pop your camper top or something in between… where your tent is already set up #glamping – then have a read below for all your options.

Swags Tent Village (Glamping)

If you want a taste of Undara camping , but don’t want to rough it… then the Swags Tent Village could be what you’re after. These permanent tents are set up with the comforts of home, such as beds (4 singles in the Quad Tent | double and 2 singles in the Family Tent), all linen, electric light, window screens, fridge, sink and powerpoint. Close to the amenities block and camp kitchen, families can gather after a day of exploring the Undara Lava Tubes QLD and swap stories as the kids play with their new friends. Quad and Family Swags start from $131 per night.

If your family is keen for camping near Undara Lava Tubes , the Undara campsite has 15 drive-up sites to fit tents, small vehicles and camper trailers. The Undara camping sites are located beneath shady trees, so you’ll enjoy the cool breeze as you spot abundant wildlife. And conveniently located close to the amenities block, meaning middle of the night toilet trips are as painless as possible. Undara camping prices start from $17.50 per adult and $8.75 per child.

Undara Caravan Park

The Undara caravan park has 58 powered van sites and 25 unpowered van sites. Settle in amongst the other travellers where you can rejuvenate in the peace and quiet, surrounded by natural bush. For anything your motorhome is not equipped with, the amenities block is located close by at the Undara resort caravan park . Powered sites start from $19.95 per adult and $10.50 per child (unpowered sites pricing is the same as camping pricing).

Undara Lava Tubes Tours

The Undara Lava Tubes Queensland are believed to be the longest of their kind out of the 23 countries in the world who also have Lava Tubes. The tubes were created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago. The flowing lava lasted a long time, which allowed the outer edge to cool, whilst the interior kept flowing – which is how the tubes were formed. There are a few Undara tours to discover the tubes, we’ve highlighted the top 3 below.

Archway Explorer

To give you a taste of the Lava Tubes Undara , the Archway Explorer is a great introduction. This 2-hour tour by your experienced Savannah guide takes in the Lava Tubes along with other interesting environmental, geological and historical features of the region. The walk is on boardwalks and stairs with handrails, and an easy fitness level is required – meaning most kids should be capable… let’s be honest, they’ll probably be running ahead of everyone. Remember to bring, hat, suncream, torch, water, and wear enclosed shoes. 

Location : Undara Lava Tubes

Opening Hours : Tours depart 10.30 am daily

Price : $63 Adults | $30 Kids 

Wind Tunnel Explorer

If you’re after a bit of adventure, the Wind Tunnel Explorer tour is what you’re after. You will be visiting up to 3 sections of the Lava Tube where you will be scrambling over rocks with no boardwalks and limited handrails – so you will need a moderate fitness level. And think about whether your kids will be able to manage, as a guide, the tour is not recommended for kids under 5 years. Allow 2-hours to complete.

Opening Hours : Tours depart 8am, 10.30am, 1pm daily (between April – September) 

Wildlife at Sunset

There are so many parts to this tour – from the wildlife, to the wine, to the bats… let’s start from the, start. Enjoy a big sky sunset as you experience iconic Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, cockatoos, lorikeets and other wild creatures in their natural environment. You will be sipping on sparkling wine (kids can have the juice) and indulging in cheese, as your Savannah Guide unlocks the secrets of this timeless land.

At dusk, you’ll head over to the entrance of a Lava Tube where your eyes will bulge at the thousands of microbats as they emerge from the darkness to eat, attracting pythons and brown tree snakes that hang from the trees and strike out, trying to catch the bats… this is a nature experience the whole family will never forget! Moderate fitness level is required with boardwalks, steps and a short uneven climb.

Opening Hours : Tours depart between 5pm to 6pm 

Undara Experience Facilities and Activities

Whilst the Lava Tubes are the main attractions, the Undara resort facilities and activities are certainly worth a mention. With a sparkling billabong pool, scrumptious dining options, communal campfires and walking/biking tracks to experience the Savannah country – check them out below.

Swimming Pool

The pool is in harmony with the outback natural surrounds…being a billabong style with a waterfall cascading feature. This freshwater pool allows you to cool off, as you take a dip and then relax on the chairs and lounges. Kids will enjoy the shallow paddle area.

Bushwalking and Bike Tracks

Walking or biking the tracks at Undara will let you experience nature in its purest form, as well as stunning vistas over the volcanic landscape. You will be supplied with a trail map which pinpoints where to spot wildflowers and birds… a bit of ‘eye-spy’ for the family.

There are 9 tracks at Undara, ranging from 1.5km to 12km with the majority graded easy. We’ve listed the top 3 below, which are also suitable for biking.

Bluff Lookout : Walk to the Bluff for amazing views of the lava plains and volcanoes at sunset.

1.5 km | 25 minutes return | Easy.

Bluff Circuit : Keep following the Bluff trail and you’ll pass through forest and skirt a swamp, meeting wildlife as you go.

2.3 km | 40 mins return | Easy

Flat Rock Circle View: Skirts the 100 mile Swamp to Flat Rock – a flat granite rock that has small water holes on top. Along the swamp are many small pools of water that attract lots of birds. Circle View is a granite knoll that gives you 360 degree views across the lava plains to distant volcanic cones.

8.6 km | 2.5 hrs return | Easy

Dining Options

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken care of, all offered with that warm outback hospitality. ‘Bush Breakfast’ is at the Ringers’ Camp where you will find billy tea, freshly brewed coffee and toast cooked on the coals of the campfire… how Aussie is that?! The ‘Fettlers’s Iron Pot Bistro’ is a licensed bistro offering authentic country cooking for lunch and dinner. And the ‘Saloon Car Bar’ will get you caffeinated with freshly ground espresso coffee and relaxed with a range of Australian and imported beers, wines and spirits – open for lunch and dinner.

Nightly Campfire

Get to know your fellow travellers with a truly outback experience, at a nightly campfire. All guests and visitors to Undara are welcome each evening at 7.30 pm to the communal campfire. This free experience allows you to enjoy some country serenity as the kids make new friends and spin their own yarns.

Feeling peckish? In need of a snack? The small onsite shop has a range of basic food suppliers and snacks, including cold drinks. It’s open 7 days a week.

Undara Lava Tubes to Cobbold Gorge

While visiting Undara I highly recommend heading to the Cobbold Gorge before or after your stay.  It’s only a 3 hour drive from the Undara Lava Tubes to Cobbold Gorge and it’s well worth the effort.

Click here for more information about staying at the Cobbold Gorge Village.

Undara Experience – Our Verdict

This is a truly one of a kind experience. The ancient Lava Tubes were the highlight, of course, and they were spectacular! Such a rare phenomenon to be walking along tubes that were created by an erupting volcano, we absolutely loved it!

Undara itself is pretty magical. The rolling Savannah plains, the variety (and abundance) of the native flora, the inquisitive native wildlife… and then of course the friendly outback hospitality, and the facilities themselves were top notch. 

If you’re looking to travel somewhere off the beaten path, literally, we would highly recommend Undara.

To see how we spent our few days in Undara Gorge– click here .  This will take you to our detailed itinerary which shows you day by day how we spent just over 2 weeks exploring the dinosaur trail in outback Queensland.

___________________________________________________________________

Hopefully you found this guide to Undara helpful. We also have other Tropical North Queensland guides here or Outback Queensland guides here .  You can also read this guide to camping at Undara here .

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Undara Lava Tube Tours

How To See the Spectacular Undara Lava Tubes from Cairns

Seeing the Undara Lava Tubes on an Outback Experience   Tour is a unique travel opportunity in Cairns Far North Queensland Australia.

Located approximately four hours southeast of Cairns city it definitely is the accessible Australian outback. Undara National Park is home to the world famous Undara Lava Tubes . Over 190 000 years ago, Mother Nature created one of the rarest and most interesting natural attractions in the world – the Undara Lava Tubes.

These strange lava tube formations beneath the land are now acclaimed as one of the longest lava tube systems known in the world today. As guests of the Undara lava tube experience, you will be able to explore the remains of the earth's longest flow of lava that originated from a single volcano. The eruption caused lava to flow over 90kms north and 160kms northwest.

With different tour options catering to all levels of fitness and physical abilities, Undara Lava Tubes truly is an experience you will never forget. Explore the Undara Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge on an all inclusive 4 Day 4WD tour of outback Queensland and discover the beauty of this unique landscape.  Travelling in a small group (max 12) this personalised tour is fully accommodated and includes an insight to the history and unique Queensland outback.  Have a group of friends and family? - ask us about a private charter option!

The 4 day all inclusive Undara Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge  tour will leave you with great memories of such a unique landscape of Undarra and outback Queensland.  

Ask our local reservations team for more private charter tours to see Undara National Park. 

Book your seat on our overnight road tours to Undara and Cobbold Gorge.

The Undara Lava Tubes

The word Undara means 'a long way' in Aboriginal language. The Undara Lava Tubes were created when a major volcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a rocky river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the volcano and thus creating the present day Undara lava tubes.

As the eruption slowed and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels. Ancient roof collapses created deep, dark and moist sections where fertile pockets of rainforest can now be seen. On the sunset tour from the top of the hill you climb, you are actually able to see these darker pockets of rainforest that are growing on top of the ancient Undara lava tubes.

Rainforest plants and animals thrive in this environment. Due to the fact that Undara is a national park and the Undara lava tubes are so old, the only way they are accessible to the public is through a tour with an accredited guide from Undara Lava Tube Experience.

Once inside the tubes, it feels as if you have stepped into another world! While in most caves you expect to find stalactites and stalagmites, Undara is unique in that the majority of the tube walls are smooth. This is down to the way the hot magma flowed and cooled through the tubes creating a smooth surface.

Something you will notice growing along the grounds and hanging down from the lava tubes ceilings are different types of tree roots creating intricate patterns along walls of the lava tubes as the roots look for water. When spending time in Cairns The Undara lava tubes are an amazing natural wonder that needs to be seen to be believed

Journey to Undara Lava Tubes

There is plenty to see along the way to Undara. By departing early morning, you'll be able to fit it all in and arrive at Undara by mid morning after a few interesting stops on the way. The Savannah Way is the road taken to Undara and it is fully sealed and safe for driving both 4WD and non 4WD vehicles.

The further inland you travel, the sparser both the landscape and the population become so be sure to travel prepared with a full tank of petrol, extra water, and a good map. Some fun and notable places to stop along the way including the Henry Ross lookout on the way to Kuranda, the Peanut Place for some yummy samples, and the Herberton Historical Village where you will feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Accommodation at Undara

There are five different types of overnight accommodation available at the Undara Experience. The most unique style is the beautifully restored turn of the century railway carriages which can sleep up to six people.

There is also dormitory style accommodation at the Wilderness Lodge, 'swags' or large permanent tents, the Safari Shelter which is a reserved campground for those with their own tent and the outback caravan park which have both powered and unpowered sites.

All these sites are situated close to amenities with both hot and cold water, individual campfire pits and free gas barbeques.

There is a stunning little swimming pool that is the perfect place to cool down and refresh after your long journey to the outback Undara Lava Tubes.

Tours sightseeing Undara Wildlife at Sunset Tour

The Undara sunset tour departs daily, all year round. Starting out with a short ride on a 24 seat minibus into Undara National Park, your incredibly entertaining and informative guide will talk about all the different Australian wildlife that call Undara National Park home including wallabies, snakes, and owls. Your destination is a small, rocky hill that is the prefect height for the purpose of this tour – a spectacular outback sunset. Once you have reached the top of the hill, your guide sets up a little snack of cheese, crackers and fresh fruit just before popping the bubbly beverage.

Enjoy a chilled glass of Australian bubbles while taking in one of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see. The rugged, barren landscape of the outback and the seemingly never ending sky creates a sunset that must be seen to be believed.

At dusk, all those nocturnal animals that live in around the Undara lava tubes come out to play and your guide will take you to the entrance of one of those lava tubes to see the tiny insect eating bats emerge from the darkness. This is truly a once in a lifetime nature experience.

Dinner and Campfire

Dinner at Undara is served at the Fettlers Iron Pot Bistro which is open for lunch and dinner and looks like a converted railway station in the outback. With something on the menu for everyone, you'll be sure to sample some delicious fare before moving onto the free evening campfire activities. Just behind the dining area is a large campfire site, so grab a 'billy tea', come on down and enjoy the Undara campfire stories and activities conducted by the Savannah guides.

Undara Bush Breakfast

Enjoy the world famous bush breakfast which is served daily at the Ringers Camp, located just a short walk from the main dining area. In a truly unique outdoor setting, start the day off right with a hot breakfast cooked right before your very eyes.

Undara Volcano Valley Tour

Access to the Undara National Park is by guided tour only and the experienced Savannah guides are more than eager to share with you the history of this magnificent natural wonder. Multiple departure times give you flexibility to enjoy the region at your own pace.

The Volcano Valley tour requires a moderate level of fitness as there are some boardwalks, unleveled walking tracks and short uneven climbs. This particular tour visits a rocky bluff and four unique sections of the wondrous Undara lave tubes. It also includes morning and afternoon tea and ideally you should allow four hours to complete this walk.

The Undara experience is like nothing else on offer in Cairns Far North Queensland Australia and if you've got the time, it is definitely a must do. Take a day or two to explore one of Mother Nature's most intriguing occurrences at Undara National Park.

What to Bring

Comfortable hiking clothes Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots CameraSunscreen and Insect Repellant Refillable bottle of water

Access to the restricted Undara National Park Personalized small group tours Evening Campfire activities Air conditioned coach transfers between lodge and walk departure points Individual campfire sites Gas barbeques Swimming pool

Great fun for all the family. A real intriguing Australian outback tour. Can be done in a day with a real early start but we highly recommend you stay overnight to get the full outback and native wildlife experience.

How To Get To Undara Lava Tubes National Park - Road Tours - Flying Tours

The road to Undara is a fully sealed and serviced road nowadays but is narrow in sections and carries a lot of road trains so keep alert as they travel very fast. You may also come across wildlife such as Kangaroos or roaming cattle.

Undara is 275 kilometres South West of Cairns and travel time is around four hours by car. Easiest road to take is the Kennedy Highway which you access at Smithfield on your way to Kuranda and head to Herberton and then follow the signs to Ravenshoe.

The next township is Mount Garnet and there you will see a sign that says Undara Lava Lodge in 45 kilometres. Once you are through the Forty Mile Scrub National Park follow the signs to Undara Head towards Mt Surprise and and the Undara turnoff goes through the Whitewater Cattle Station so make sure you watch out for those big beasts as they are as solid as a rock.

See here  for more information on a private charter to Undara Lava Tubes and outback Queensland from Cairns.

Interested in seeing Cape York take a look at flights and tours here.

And for more overnight outback Queensland tours from Cairns have a look at Cooktown, Cape York and Darwin tours which include a visit to Undara Lava Tubes.

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When staying at Hamilton Island in Whitsundays you simply cannot miss a trip to Whitehaven Beach  

Staying at Airlie Beach and wondering how to get to Whitehaven Beach? 

What is there to do on Fitzroy Island? What is the best place to snorkel on Fitzroy Island? The Tour Specialists answer all your FAQ's in this blog. 

Is Green Island family friendly? How to get to Green Island? What is there to do on Green Island? In this blog we will tell you all things to do Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef. 

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1300 231 118 Intl +61 7 4059 59 59

Office Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm AEST

Barrier Reef Time: 06:07

• Telephone 07 4041 0122
• Email [email protected]
• Address 41 Hannam Street, Cairns QLD 4870

Outback Explorer 4 Day Undara & Cobbold Gorge Tour

Undara tour & cobbold gorge – 4 day/3 night all inclusive tour.

Experience the unique Australian Outback and visit the Award Winning Attractions of The Undara Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge on this Fully Inclusive 4 Day / 3 Night  Tour. Spend a night at Bedrock Village and 2 nights at Cobbold Gorge, with all accommodations, meals and experiences included.

Please note this tour is not suitable for children under 4, unless on a Private Charter. Tour is available from Cairns & Northern Beaches

• Outback Savannah Country
• Undara Lava Tubes National Park
• Archway Explorer Tour of the Lava Tubes
• Spectacular Cobbold Gorge Cruise
• Tropical Fruit Tasting
• Small Group Tour
• Atherton Tablelands
• All Meals included
• One night stay at Bedrock Village
• Two nights’ stay at Cobbold Gorge Village

• Meals: Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Bedrock Village, Ensuite

After collection from your Cairns Hotel at approximately 7:30am we head for the Outback Savannah country west of Cairns. We make our way up the Gilles Highway and on to the Volcanic Crater, Lake Barrine, for the Tea House’s famous scones with spectacular views over the lake and its’ rim covered by Rainforest. We then make our way through the fertile Atherton Tablelands and its agricultural diversity to Ravenshoe, “Queensland’s Highest town”. After time to explore the Town, we head to nearby Millstream Falls before travelling through the Forty Mile Scrub National Park and on to our destination for the first night, Bedrock Village.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
• Accommodation:  Cobbold Gorge Village, Ensuite

Enjoy an early breakfast in the before we depart on our way to experience the Undara Lava Tubes. Today is full of excitement as your experienced Guide takes you on an informative tour of the fascinating lava tubes. The outer surface of molten lava solidified leaving these unusual tunnel-like formations, set high in the savannah country around the vast cattle properties. These volcanic lava tubes are said to have been formed around 190,000+ years ago when a staggering 23 cubic kilometres of lava flowed into a riverbed and kept flowing for 160km, making it the longest lava flow from a single volcano in the whole world. The flow left behind huge caves or tubes with some over 21m wide and up to 10m high. This is genuinely an unforgettable geological tour with diverse and unique flora and fauna. Leaving Undara Lava Tubes National Park for Cobbold Gorge we travel on along the Gulf Development Road to Mount Surprise and on to Einasleigh. We call in at this old outback pub for a basic lunch at the Einasleigh Hotel, with some spare time to view the Copperfield Gorge just across the road. Then we continue to Forsayth, the end of the line for the Savannahlander train. Enjoy a drink (own cost) by the bar at this newly refurbished outback Aussie pub before travelling on thru the outback to Cobbold Gorge. Staying at Cobbold Gorge Village for two nights, we can star gaze as we sit around the nightly prepared campfire and have a yarn with other travelers. Enjoy meals at MacDonald’s licensed bar and bistro which provide good quality home-style meals accompanied by a good beverage offering.

• Accommodation: Cobbold Gorge Village, Ensuite

After enjoying a big breakfast, we then head out on our exploration of the geological wonder we have all travelled to see, the Cobbold Gorge. Enjoy all of the activities on offer in this wild unadulterated countryside. Discover the uniqueness of this amazing gorge with its majestic, polished shear walls on our awe-inspiring boat cruise as we punt quietly along the gorge on our silent boat tour in search of fresh water crocodiles and other native Australian wildlife. Your guide will enlighten you with their local knowledge of the local indigenous tribes, past pioneers and the current stories of the families that call Robinhood Cattle Station home. Add on options available include helicopter scenic flights over Robinhood Cattle Station, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking on the lake time permitting and at added cost if required to yourself. There is a lovely swimming pool, hiking trails and other recreational activities for guests to enjoy at Cobbold Gorge as well as laundry facilities for you to freshen up your clothes.

• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After leaving Cobbold Gorge we re-join the Golf Development Road at Georgetown where we visit the Information Centre for an opportunity to take in the districts Gem and Gold Mining, and local history. Gold fossicking is still popular with the major find being the 858g Providence Nugget on display. Then on our way back through the Atherton Tablelands, we have time to take in points of interest before heading down the Kuranda Range and back to Cairns. Add on attractions as time permits: Innot Hot Springs, The Crater, Herberton’s Historic Village or Gallos chocolate and cheese. Return to your Cairns City Hotel before 6pm.

All rates are in Australian dollars and include GST. Conditions: Discovery Tours Australia  reserves the right to amend this itinerary due to any unforseen circumstances and accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged property, lunch destination may be changed without notice, cancellation fees apply.

Departing Cairns City & Northern Beaches

• Departure 7am – Returns 6.00pm approximately.
• Please note that Single Travelers must book a “single” rate as we don’t offer shared rooms with other single travelers.

Please note

• This tour is not suitable for children under 4, unless on a Private Charter.
• The Child Price is for ages 4 – 14.

Terms and Conditions

• Download a copy of our Terms & Conditions

What's Included

• Small group- offering unrivalled, friendly and personalised service.
• Transfers – from and to your accommodation.
• Interpretation – friendly, knowledgeable guides explain our unique flora and fauna.
• Modern 4WD vehicle.
• All meals as stated in the itinerary.
• Accommodation as stated in the itinerary.
• National Park and Site Fees.
• Attractions as stated in the itinerary.
• Atherton Tablelands.
• Mount Garnet.
• Undara Lava Tubes.
• Mount Surprise.
• Copperfield Gorge.
• Cobbold Gorge.
• Georgetown.

WHAT TO BRING

• Small Overnight Style Soft Bag (No Hard cases or Suitcases)
• Swimmers & towel, if you wish to swim anywhere during our trip. Accommodation has pools.
• Lightweight clothing (shorts & t-shirts are fine).
• Jacket for cooler evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Hat, sunscreen & insect repellent.
• Water & water bottle.
• Your camera.
• Cash / cards for purchases of beverages and souvenirs.

All Inclusive Price

from $ 2,730

Get in touch

Contact us to get more information about our great tours.

Tour Details

24 hour reservations 1300 321 019, best rate guaranteed, locally owned operated.

© Discovery Tours 2024 / Articles / Some Photo(s) courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Website created by RJ New Designs

The Undara Experience: Lava Tubes, Micro-Bats and Sleeping in Trains

The Undara Experience

Table of Contents

Venture into Outback Australia with the Undara Experience, in Tropical North Queensland. Explore the oldest lava tubes on the planet, sleep in refurbished train carriages and enjoy bush walks surrounded by wildlife.

Located 260km south-west of Cairns (or a 3.5 hour drive), the Undara Experience is located in the Undara National Park, a private enterprise operated by the Collins family, the earliest white settlers in this locality whose cattle have grazed in the area since 1862.

The Undara Experience was created to showcase the lava tubes located on the Collins’ family property in 1987, protecting the formations for future generations by developing a sustainable visitor experience.

Visitors to Undara can stay on the property in a range of accomodations that suit all budgets and preferences. To see the lava tubes, visitors must book into a tour, which ensures the numbers passing through the tubes are kept to a sustainable number and keep the ecological impact to a minimum.

Like many visitors to Undara, we arrived at the property in the early afternoon to check into our accommodation. We stayed in the rail carriage rooms, which are all restored turn-of-the-century Queensland Railway Carriages.

For a truly unique experience, the rail carriages cannot be beat.

There is a swimming pool on the property for some cooling down and several bush walks to take if you are after some exercise and wildlife spotting. We saw plenty of wildlife around the swimming pool as well as in the bush.

The star attraction is, of course, the lava tubes, which are 190 million years old. Over 300 roof collapses have been detected from the air, which should equal 300 caves – however only 69 have been discovered, and leaving the majority as yet unexplored. David Attenborough, upon visiting Undara, proclaimed it to be one of the most unexplored geological features on earth.

Tours at the Undara Experience

There are three tours offered by the Undara Experience, of which we enjoyed two – the Big Sky Sunset Iconic Australian Wildlife and Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour.

Big Sky Sunset Iconic Australian Wildlife

This tour takes visitors by mini bus through the bush to enjoy the sunset over the bush with sparkling wine and cheese and a highly knowledgable guide to point out the iconic wildlife easily spotted along the way, as well as the history of the land. We saw plenty of pretty face/ whip tail kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and wallaroos as they came out at dusk.

After the sunset, visitors are taken to the mouth of a lava tube to witness one of the most memorable experiences imaginable – thousands of tiny insect-eating micro-bats emerge from the darkness to find food. Waiting for them at the entrance are pythons and brown tree snakes hoping to catch a meal. Up to half a million micro-bats swarm out of the tubes each night to hunt for insect, returning at dawn.

Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour

This is the the ultimate tour of Undara’s lava tubes. It’s takes two hours to complete and runs from mid-March to October – bookings essential. The tour picks up visitors in a mini bus and drives them to the lava tubes, through the arid, red landscape into the lush rainforest that has grown out of the mouths of the lava tubes.

Each tour visits up to three sections of lava tubes, which are easily accessible however do contain staircases that need to be descended and ascended again. An accessible lava tube with a chair lift is available for those who cannot use stairs.

The Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour was an experience was breathtaking. There was something very “Indiana Jones” about descending down into the lava tubes through a collapsed roof, where a lush forrest of greenery has sprung up, and greeted by swarms of tiny Common Australian crow butterflies and yellow greasies butterflies. Birds, insects, butterflies that live in the collapsed section can be found nowhere else in the region.

Wind Tunnel Explorer

This tour takes two hours to complete and runs between April and September. A tour for the adventurous, it allows visitors to explore the lava tubes in their rawest form – by scrambling over rocks with less infrastructure. Expect uneven surfaces, not suitable for children under five.

Families at Undara

Kids are very welcome at Undara. Lover of trains, caves and wildlife all find their way to this magical place and enjoy its wildness. While there are no specific family tours, the guides tailor their talks to the visitors present.

Food at Undara

There is a restaurant in the main settlement serving dinner each night. The food is hearty and wholesome and a welcome end to the day.

Breakfast is served over campfire, a traditional billy tea with a choice of hot and cold food.

Where to stay at Undara

There are several options for staying on the property.

Railway Carriage Accommodation

Stay in a beautifully restored railway carriage. Each carriage has its own bathroom. There is an accessible carriage available. 

Pioneer Huts Accommodation

The pioneer huts are modern cabins each with their own bathroom, private verandah and air conditioning. 

Swags Tent Village Accommodation

Glamp in the bush in one of these large, permanent tents, which are close to a central amenities block. There is an undercover camp kitchen available for use with hot and cold water, free gas barbecue, fridge, gas hot plates, picnic tables and chairs. 

Safari Shelter

The large campground area is perfect for groups with their own tents, vans and motor homes. It has a separate amenities block available, access for mobility impaired guests and a dedicated undercover camp kitchen with hot and cold water, free gas barbecue, picnic tables and a private campfire.

Motorhome, Caravan Park and Camping

There are 11 drive-up camp sites (tents, small vehicles and camper trailers), 38 powered van sites (22 drive-through, 16 reverse-in) and 26 un-powered van sites available in this are, with individual campfire pits/barbecues on some sites and firewood available for purchase. This section of the property is surrounded by bush, and located close to amenities blocks.

Find more things to do in and around Cairns .

Undara Experience Undara Volcanic Park, Savannah Way QLD undara.com.au

I was hosted during my time at Undara by Tourism Tropical North Queensland . Get more info on things to do in Queensland here.

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Activities and Attractions

Whether you’re here to explore the lava tubes or are into hiking, biking or wildlife spotting, there’s activities for all ages at Discovery Resorts – Undara

There are plenty of activities at Undara to keep you as busy or as relaxed as you like. The surrounding Undara area offers many walking and hiking trails, opportunities to meet local, furry wildlife (from a distance, of course), and spot many bird species native to outback Queensland. Unwind at the end of a busy day around the communal campfire as you swap stories from the day’s adventures with travellers alike.

Experience Undara’s incredible lava tube systems through the Archway explorer and the Wind Tunnel explorer tours. Please note, you can only view the lava tube systems through a guided tour with an experienced Undara tour guide; we recommend booking this in advance. As the tours are sometimes over difficult terrain, please contact us for assistance with arranging accessible tours.

Important Notice: Please book your tours at time of booking your accommodation as tours often sell out. Only tours with availability left will appear. Breakfast and Dinner bookings are recommended.

• Archway Explorer Lava Tube Tour

A not to be missed, leisurely 2-hour tour with an experienced Undara guide. Experience the oldest lava tube system on Earth in Undara Volcanic National Park.

• Wind Tunnel Explorer Tour

Lace up your boots as an experienced Undara guide takes you deep into the volcanic lava tube systems.

• Wildlife At Sunset Tour

Meet the locals with the chance to spot an array of local wildlife. Enjoy a refreshing drink watching the sun dip below the horizon over the volcanic plains and catch the microbats leaving their cave to feed at dusk.

• Bush Breakfast

An outback experience you won’t want to miss is the Undara bush breaky, served daily at the Ringers’ Camp.

• Outback Rock and Blues Festival

Get grooving at the outback’s biggest “little” festival, running over three days every year at Discovery Resorts – Undara. There’s a wide variety of entertainment across the jam-packed event schedule that will have you singing along in no time.

• Hikes and Trails

There’s an abundance of walking tracks and trails around Undara, accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Walk one of the many bush trails that lead to the ultimate panoramic views over the volcanic landscape below.

• Discovery Resorts - Undara
• Accommodation
• About The Property

Advertisement

Ancient humans lived inside a lava tube in the Arabian desert

Underground tunnels created by lava flows provided humans with shelter for thousands of years beneath the hot desert landscape of Saudi Arabia

By James Woodford

17 April 2024

Researchers exploring the Umm Jirsan lava tube system in Saudi Arabia

Green Arabia Project

Archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation within lava tubes for the first time, in the deserts of northern Saudi Arabia.

Lava tubes are caves that form during a volcanic eruption. The surface of a river of lava cools and solidifies, while hot molten rock continues to flow beneath it. Eventually, lava drains out of the tube, leaving behind a tunnel.

World's first tunnel to a magma chamber could unleash unlimited energy

Mathew Stewart at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, and his colleagues excavated a trench inside Umm Jirsan. At 1.5 kilometres in length, it is the biggest lava tube in Saudi Arabia. The researchers discovered animal bones, stone tools and pottery stretching back at least 7000 years and possibly as much as 10,000 years.

Stewart and his team have worked in the region for more than 15 years and have previously found numerous stone structures on the surface, confirming human habitation. However, the desert’s hot, arid climate has caused organic material to break down, making it difficult to date.

On the surface, the landscape is a “hot, dry and flat basalt desert”, says Stewart. “But when you are down in the lava tube, it’s much cooler. It’s very sheltered and it would have been a great place of refuge.”

Sign up to our Our Human Story newsletter

Keep up with advances in archaeology and evolution with our monthly newsletter.

“It’s transforming our understanding of the prehistory of the Arabian peninsula,” he says.

In parts of the underground network at Umm Jirsan, the researchers also found human bones, but these are thought to have been dragged in by hyenas.

In other lava tubes nearby, Stewart and his colleagues found rock art, including representations of domestic sheep and goats that would have been made by “cultural contemporaries” of the groups using the lava tubes as a refuge, he says.

How did Paranthropus, the last of the ape-people, survive for so long?

Paranthropus was an ape-like hominin that lived on in a world dominated by big-brained early humans. Recent archaeological discoveries, like stone tools, are revealing how they lived

Mike Morley at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, describes the lava tubes as being like “prefabricated activity spaces”.

“As a scientist who works primarily in caves, I am excited that we have another type of cave system being used by past human populations,” says Morley. “These finds represent a treasure trove of archaeological information for Arabia, a massive region that has only recently been investigated systematically for prehistoric archaeology.”

Lava tubes have also been suggested as possible places for humans to shelter on the moon and Mars .

Journal reference:

PLoS One DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299292

• archaeology /
• ancient humans

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