July 4th Sunday
Undara Lava Tubes Resort, Queensland

Surveying the country from the top of the Bluff.

Before the lava tubes tour we went on a short bush walk up to the bluff then back on the pioneer track. Fabulous view from up on the bluff and of course Roy had to climb the highest rock closest to the edge.

Termites encasing a small tree

Where are we? Undara

A relatively recent development, and a very enjoyable visit.

Over to the waiting area for the tour and we’re loaded up onto a series of 3 mini buses and taken to the lava tubes. Murray the driver gave us a very interesting history of the place both human and geological. At the drop off place we were assigned to Liz who gave us an engaging and informed tour of the lava tubes. They are only visible from the air as they support some remnant rainforest which was full of bird life and rainforest vegetation including the bottle tree; no relation of the boab.

Looks like the lost city through the lava tube entrance

First sighting of the lava tubes after walking down a wooden stairway was like seeing the lost world from Jurassic park. A huge arch way of stone through which we could see more rainforest framed by the lava tube. We went a distance into the tube where it became quite dark. Liz took us to two other lava tubes. 

The tour group amazed by first site of the lava tubes

Knowledgeable guide Liz Fisher

Looking out from the second lava tube.

The last one sometimes has issues with dangerous levels of carbon dioxide but not today. As we went further in it got darker and there was water on the ground under the walkway. Sadly too dark to appreciate any reflections that we could see momentarily with Liz’s torch on the walls which were quite colourful from all the minerals being reached out over the years. There were also some micro bats in this cave but not a colony. Very tiny, about half the size of a mouse.

Sometimes the water can get quite deep in the tubes and the tours require getting quite wet. Not today though.

After returning to camp we made lunch and used the wifi  reception to book some accommodation in Emerald for tomorrow and then went for another bush walk. This time we took the pioneer track to the swamp track and back via the other end of the bluff track. 

Found some lovely bottlebrush

and pretty face wallabies

Roy took a rest on a fallen branch by a picturesque billabong, but foolishly didn't choose one strong enough for two and ended up in the mud.

A beautiful spot for walking to

This branch didn't support 2!

Walking tracks

Back to the room for coffee, rest and pack up.

What we saw:

• Bottle tree Brachychiton
• Rock wallaby morning walk
• Wallaroos on bus trip
• Eastern horseshoe bat in lava tubes
• Lava tubes experience
• Bus with Murray
• Tour with Liz Fisher
• Pretty face wallaby in camp.
• Mob of eastern grey kangaroos on the swamp.
• Spoonbill, ibis, blue winged kookaburra. White faced heron, green insect eating bird small, noisy friar bird, crow
• Myriad of butterflies. Mostly black and white with an occasional brown.

No postcard of any sort available to send to Mum, but Roy aquired a new book on snakes