The Undara Experience

Monday the 14th of June we left Forsyath and headed for the Undara Lava Tubes, which is officially known as The Undara Experience. The Landcruiser started fine with its overnight charge. I got away early as I wanted to top up with fuel and put air in my tyres at Georgetown before hitting the main highway to Undara. I was also able to get a few supplies of bread, lettuce etc and still hit the highway close behind Jan & Ross. So we continued on from Georgetown to Mount Surprise where we stopped for a coffee. Then on to Undara Lava Tubes. We arrived before lunch and set up camp. I was hot and bothered from setting up (a bit more setting up than usual as we were here for three nights) so it was great to be able to go and cool off in the pool. Unfortunately for Jan and Ross they had to take off for Ravenshoe to get some necessary medication. After my swim I had lunch so it was pretty relaxing for me. This is our camping area, a nice bush camping place.

After lunch I had a look around what they call Lodge Central. This is a great place and they have their act together. The owners purchased a lot of railway They have done a great job and it is a slick operation.

I put a load of washing on and then did a couple of the walks that start from the lodge. I did the Atkinson Lookout and the Bluff Walk. I got to Atkinsons Lookout and was puzzled as to why the ‘Atkinson Lookout’ sign was covered in timber and rocks.

Anyway there were some beautiful views from that Lookout.

Here is a pano from Atkinson Lookout that is cool.

I then walked back and then further along to the Bluff. The Bluff is quite close to the Lodge. There are also great views of the plains and the cone shaped hill on its own is Kalkani Crater which is an old volcano. We were to walk up there on Wednesday.

Here is a pano from the Bluff.

I returned to camp and had another swim to cool off from my walk. It is so great to have that pool there. When you are doing the walks you know the pool is there and you look forward to it. Unfortunately not all the walks are available at the moment. The Swamp Walk, Circle View and Bush Walks are closed due to the massive growth of grass that has grown due to the big wet season. The wallabies that hang around the Lodge are very friendly. This one was here after my swim and the next morning, right at the back of my van. In the latter two shots the wallaby is very well camoflagued so you have to look hard to see it in its bent over shape.

Next morning, Tuesday the 15th June our tour of the Undara Lava Tubes commenced at 10.30am. Our tour guide, Murray, was an energetic guy with a great deal of passion for this environment and nature generally. You got the impression he was just wanting to give and give so that our experience of the place was so full. These Lava Tubes are formed when a volcano erupts and channels of molten lava flows. As the top cools and forms a crust the underneath flow continues and melts what is beneath and sinks lower and lower. Sometimes the upper crust collapses and you are left with depressions which lead to caves where the the top crust has stayed intact. Where the top crust has collapsed these depressions have formed vine thickets as the basalt rock absorbs so much moisture. It is like a rainforest in these depressions.

These Bottle trees contain huge amounts of water.

These photos of the ‘Archway’ show the top crust that has not collapsed.

Massive fig trees have formed and suck the oxygen out of some caves.

We went into a couple of caves. One of them still had water that had been pushed up from the sub artesian basin. The water recedes at a fast rate. We had to take our boots and socks off and walk through the water on the walkway to get to see the cave.

It had been a great tour. On return back to camp we looked at walks that were available to be done. I worked out that I would have time to do the 12km Rosella Plains Lookout loop. I went to the van and had lunch and then set out on the 12km trek. The information at Lodge Central about the various walks suggested that this walk was a three to four hour walk. Being pretty fit I figured on me taking three hours. I got to the start of the walk and saw information on the board that called it a half day walk which would take about 6 hours. I hoped that the former would be correct. The track follows an olden day Overland Telegraph track and one that the original pastoralist put in.

I reached a replica stockmans hut that celebrated the history of the pioneer pastoralists, Thomas and Charles Collins who established this area as a cattle station in 1862.

I continued on the walk and got to the Jump Up lookout. There were great views from there.

Then onto the Rosella Plains Lookout which was awesome, really awesome.

Here is a pano of that view.

Better still, here is a video. Onto Castle Rock. This rock does not need much explanation for how it got its name. A bit of explanation required on how it came to be there so that is provided.

Then there was this tree with the scar on it. This was done by aborigines to use the bark for some practical purpose.

So I completed my 12km Rosella Plains trek in 2 hours and 55 minutes. So much for the 6 hour advice. I needed another swim after that. The next morning we drove out to Kalkani Crater and walked to the top and around the rim. It was really terrific. Firstly we came to a board which talked about different volcanoes which you can see from the rim of Kalkani.

This is a view of the 100 Mile Swamp, ie it is 100 miles from the coast. You can normally walk along it but that was one of the walks that were cancelled due to the big wet season. I think it is still got water in it.

This is a view into the crusted base of Kalkani Crater.

These are views from the rim. In the second photo in the foreground you can see the ‘thicket’ vegetation which is a greener and lush. This was indicative of it being a lava tube which has had the top crust collapse. This was what I mentioned earlier when talking about our lava tube tour. There are a number of photos showing this.

We relaxed for the rest of the day. That night around the communal fire we chatted to a nice young couple from Tasmania who were touring around with a Hilux and roof top tent. We were able to give them a few tips. That completed our time at Undara.