Undara Lava Tubes

[Hodgies]

Hi all,

 Just wanting some info good/bad on the Undara Lava Tubes.

We are heading there in July and was hoping to get some thoughts. We will be camping in our trailer.
Our thoughts are for 2 nights.

Many thanks

[cassgazz]

We stayed there a couple of years ago, and found it quite enjoyable.
I think it was when we were there, we also went and did a walk around the Kalkani Crater.

Undara Lava Tubes are quite fascinating, with the tour guides being quite knowledgeable.
The camping area was also good, and they also have after dark activities.

[Rumpig]

Undura is a spot I've read many varying accounts about, some people love the place and find it fascinating, whilst others like myself weren't all that overwhelmed by the place. The set up they have out there is first class IMHO (more glamping then camping though), just not sure why, but the place didn't do much for me. Atleast I can say I've been there and been in the tunnels atleast now.

[TOPNDR]

I've been to Opera In The Outback there for the past 7 years and always found it enjoyable.

[Matto]

Hi Hodgies,

We've been out there a few times, and always enjoyed it. Once, following some really heavy rain, the tubes were all flooded - it was amazing to walk down through the crystal clear water inside. Do the longer tour, you get a lot more out of it. Also consider doing the night tour to see the snakes catching the bats. As Cassgazz has said, the volcano walk is very much worthwhile.

In July it may get quite cold out there at night, so be ready for that. It should still be quite warm during the day.

TOPNDR - I've not made it out to Opera in the Outback yet, but have always wanted to. Worthwhile? Busy?

Good luck!
Matt

[fazza81]

We went there about 4 years ago now, driving down from Cooktown I mentioned to the missus you should call and book our tour as we wanted to go on the morning tour. Nah I will just do it when we get there, here we go I thought.  Driving arrived after touring the tablelands at around 6pm to find the tours fully booked for the next day, oh well we will just stay the night and look around ourselves.  Book a onsite "tent" when we walked in it was 2 teepee shaped fiberglass things with a small covered walkway between the 2 both full of mossies, righto patientes wearing thin, sat on the bed and dam me if it was not a 50 year old chain mess style base. THATS IT we are off back to reception to get a refund.  I spent the next 8 hours driving down the Kennedy "highway" now that is an experience at night time on a one lane highway with b-triples and fours coming the other way got to townsville at 2am.


Thats my point of view - maybe skewed a tounch 

[Mallory Black]

it was a friend of my late mum in law who figured out what they actually were.
Prior to that they were thought of as just an odd shaped cave system but they are way older than first thought.

[peanut2]

I think it is one of those places that you should see at least once.  We went out there about 15 years ago, it was mostly dirt, corrugated road for most of the way.  We arrive and are the only car out there, everyone else in a 4wd.  It was September and about 45deg in the shade.  Went and did the tour, had lunch (took out a loan for this) and thought about staying, but the heat had us back in the air conditioned car and back on the road.  To this day, we still remember how hot it was, and all that rough dirt road we drove, and that we would probably never go back, so we were glad we had done it once.  Saying that, it was still an interesting place to see.

Peanut

[Kris]

We dropped in in July 2011 after our Cape trip.  Was overwhelmed by the tourists everywhere and couldn't make much of the tours.  As we were a big group we pulled the pin and continued on, much to the other half's dismay.

So during our recent Nth Qld tour last Sept, we made a point to return.  Booked everything on the phone- the person on the other end was helpful and described the various tours and what was suitable for the kids.  We had an unpowered site (just make sure they know it's a CT, as some sites were slopey and small), and nearly had the whole area to ourselves.  Powered though was quite full.  The kids had a ball riding their bikes around.  It was warm, maybe 35deg.  The pool was great. 

We enjoyed the tour- it really is quite amazing.

[Rumpig]

Undura is a spot I've read many varying accounts about, some people love the place and find it fascinating, whilst others like myself weren't all that overwhelmed by the place. The set up they have out there is first class IMHO (more glamping then camping though), just not sure why, but the place didn't do much for me. Atleast I can say I've been there and been in the tunnels atleast now.

i probably should have mentioned it was 2006 when we were out there, so likely to have changed some since our visit. as said by fazza81, good idea to book ahead for the tours, as even back in 2006 they booked out well in advance, so if you just drop in you may not be able to do the tours.

[Hodgies]

Thanks everyone for your replys,

As I had thought with their reviews, very mixed. Have decided to give it a crack staying 1 night and we will prebook the afternoon/night
 tours.

This will be our first night up that way doing the gulf so don't want to spend too long there.

Definately helps with inside info.

Cheers

[TOPNDR]

2wd is no issue, it's bitumen for all but the last few km.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the Opera, and done two lava tube tours, the first one on our first visit, and the last in 2013 when my 70+ year old sister-in-law joined us, and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

Personally I think it's worth it. Either that or I'm a dill for going 7 years straight!