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Undara Lava Tubes



The Undara Lava Tubes near the small town of Mount Surprise 275 km south-west of Cairns, are one of Australia’s great geological wonders. They are the largest, longest and most accessible lava tubes on earth. The tubes contain creatures previously unknown to science, including two species of insect-eating bats. Unique blind insects and colourless shrimps and beetles have evolved without need for the sense of sight or colour camouflage in the black basalt tubes. Two new snail varieties are among the 24 cave-adapted species thus far discovered.

Undara volcano erupted 190,000 years ago and spewed 23 cubic kilometres of molten lava onto the surrounding country. Streams of sulphurous lava flowed over the land, spilling out like boiling treacle into various creek beds and other depressions. The surface soon cooled and crusted but the molten lava inside continued to flow, leaving behind the huge hollow pipes … the unique lava tubes.



In 1993 the Queensland Government proclaimed the area as the Undara Volcanic National Park. The Undara Lava Lodge offers unique accommodation in turn-of-the-century carriages, as well as other accommodation options to suit all budgets.

Several of the tubes, or “caves” as they are often called now, are open to the public (others are still the subject of scientific research) but only on guided tours conducted by Lodge owner Gerry Collins or one of the friendly and knowledgeable guides who are all members of the Savannah Guides Organisation.

The park is also home to a wonderful kaleidoscope of bird life, of which over 150 species have been recorded. Barkers tube has become the bats’ favoured “maternity and baby nursery”.






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