UNDARA EXPERIENCE TO ATHERTON. Monday 13th May, 2019

We met at reception at 8.00am for our two hour Undara Lava Tube Experience. We were allowed to keep our van on site until 10.30am so just enough time for a quick coffee and then we would be on our way. We were taken in to the area by mini van to the site of the Lava Tubes. Above is our group of   ten walking towards the Archway Tour. This photo shows the change in the trees. To the right is the growth which you see around the park but to the left where the entrance to the cave is very lush and green because of the moisture in and around the caves.

All the walking is on boardwalks with some stairs. We are now about to enter under the archway tube.

Looking down under the archway. This arch is made of lava and shows the circle where the hot lava kept flowing. As it travels the outside of the lava solidifies (scoria) and the hot lave keeps flowing inside the hard crust.

Now down under the arch looking up to the entrance.

Looking up to the ceiling to the texture and all the different colours.



This is the floor under the arch. The rocks on the base of the cave is fallen granite from the roof of the tube.

After passing under the Arch Cave we entered into a lava cave. The guide shone her torch on the walls and she could find all sorts of shapes which all look like someone or something. Above is Snoopy.

Looking up at the ceiling of this cave more different colours and textures.

A different part of the ceiling. We could only see it when the guide shone her torch up to the roof otherwise it was pitch dark. No lights in these caves.

We have now turned around and are at the half way point inside the cave.

Just about out.

This is the entrance to the second Lava Cave. We had little bats flying around us in this one. When the guide aimed her torch up to the ceiling a few started to fly around. 

The ceiling of this cave.

Looking up again. Lovely colours.

Now on our way back out. Just remember there are no lights in these caves and all the light you see in the photos is just with one torch. The guide turned the torch off when we were right at the back of the cave and we couldn't see a thing.

Nearer the entrance.

We are now out and the guide brought us to this spot right over the top of the Tubes, to explain how standing here you wouldn't have any idea they were there below us. The land above just looked like the rest of the area where our camp is. The Tubes are three to five metres below the surface where we are standing and we are eighty metres from the entrance.

Back at camp looking through the camp as we walked back to "our spot" top right of this photo you can see the glamping tents  next to the campervan /caravan parks.

I think that I mentioned when it rains how I thought the ground would get wet and really muddy. But then I worked out after the guide had told us that what we see on the ground is all very fine granite stones like sand which would be very porous. Looking at it again it wasn't dirt, but more sandy.

We have now just left the National Park, (which I omitted to mention we were in) and took this photo just because I liked the colours. 🤔



Above and below back on the road heading North and now approaching rolling hills.



Driving over the hills which we haven't seen for nearly two weeks.

Stopped by this lilly pond just in a back road off the highway. For a cuppa!



Now settled in for the night, into a very nice well kept camp just before we reached Atherton. This would be the best camp so far one of the Big 4 group but you pay for it, but just a few more dollars, probably worth it.

We are sitting here now hearing about this cyclone that is approaching us, out of character for this time of year. The cloud base has closed in and it got dark very early this evening and a bit cooler. Just our luck. We were going to be at Port Douglas tomorrow but might have to hang out an extra day here up in the hills. The Atherton Tablelands. We are quite high (2700 ft) so any floodwater should flow away from us.!!! It has been a very interesting day. Quite a few stops to see various knick knacks. Plenty of history in this area with coal mining and very important industry around Herberton and reconstructed old villages with the very rustic appearances also. Another good point today has been that we are back online with both the telephone ☎️ and wifi 📱.