Day 10 – Sun, 11 Jul at Undara Volcanic NP

Today was a rest from riding as we are camped here for another night. We rose early and to a beautiful sunny day – probably around 28C with a cool breeze.

We checked at reception and the only way we can see the lava tubes is by an organised tour. We thought this was a bit rich, but later understood why. The NP is a closed park only accessible by licensed operators. QNP maintain all the infrastructure – roads, walks, paths, fencing, etc – and the tour operators, such as the Undara Experience (where we are staying), look after the tourists.

The lava tubes are quite fragile and also dangerous. The walls can fall in, floors can be suspect and some tubes can have high levels of CO2. So I can appreciate the need for restrictions of access.

So we booked onto a 4 hour afternoon tour, and headed off for a bush walk around the lodge. This took us up the the Bluff for views back over the grounds and 180 vistas. Then we walked down to the swamp where we found water birds, kangaroos grazing and along the trail a 1.5m snake (not sure what type but as far as I am concerned all snakes are poisonous and should be avoided at all costs).

We returned and had lunch in the camp and then headed on our tour. Well these lava tubes were sensational. Developed about 190,000 years ago when the Undara Volcano erupted – not in a sudden explosion, but in a continuous lava flow from within the earth.

As the lava flowed over the valleys, creeks, etc the outer flows cooled and solidified and the inner cores continued to flow. This created the tubes. One such tube runs almost 2km. We walked down, into, along and out through the tubes. Some were closed because they were too dangerous or simply inaccessible.  We scoured 4 tubes and the rich colours of the various minerals could be seen. In one tube the roots of the plants growing above were visible from the tube ceiling some 10m above us.

Tonight is another wonderful night around the camp fire with a balmy breeze blowing, having a cuppa under the stars. What a way to enjoy life – bring it on.

PS. Oh, Rod just got back with our washing and has a laundry tip – make sure you empty your pockets of all tissues (and this also includes all paperwork from the campground) before you wash your clothes. He pities the next guy to use the washer as they too will have socks, grungies, etc getting the Undara Experience.He recons nothing he had has pockets but I am uncertain of this (you see I am the one writing the blog so I have editorial discretion over all commentary herein).