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Nestled in the heart of Queensland’s rugged outback lies a hidden wonder that you wouldn’t expect to find in Australia – the Undara Lava Tubes.
Formed thousands of years ago by a colossal volcanic eruption, these ancient tubes lurk underground, weaving beneath the earth’s surface, and while Australia is not known for volcanic history, it’s astounding that it has one of the world’s largest underground cave tunnels formed by lava.
Visiting the Undara Lava Tubes in Outback Queensland was one of the more interesting places we’ve explored on our trip around Australia.
I didn’t know much about Australia’s volcanic history before, but now I’m wiser. I was fascinated and impressed with this off-the-beaten-path experience in in Tropical North Queensland, and just had to share my tips for visiting it.
Here’s what to see and do there, how to get there, and tips for visiting Undara Lava Tubes!
About Undara Lava Tubes
The Undara Lava Tube System in Tropical North Queensland are a fascinating geological formation resulting from a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred approximately 190,000 years ago.
As molten lava flowed from the massive Undara volcano, it created an extensive network of lava caves, which are considered to be one of the world’s longest cave systems.
The tubes were formed when the outer layer of lava cooled and solidified, while the molten lava continued to flow beneath, eventually draining away and leaving behind hollow tunnels.
The caves lie inside a national park, which can only be accessed by guided tour. The park is not only worth visiting for the caves, but the surrounding landscape features a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with the tubes serving as a unique habitat for various species, including micro bats that roost within the cool, dark environments of Barkers Cave.
To learn more about the geography of the area, you can also take bush walks through the region to see the remains of the volcano and walk around Kalkani Crater rim, which uniquely acts as a natural wind tunnel and is still shaping the environment around it.
How to Get to Undara Lava Tubes
Undara Lava Tubes is part of the Undara Lava National Park, which is home to 164 volcanoes, cones and vents. They are nestled about a four hour drive along the Savannah Way, west of Cairns.
To reach the Undara Lava Tubes,…
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