Destination Guides > Australia > Queensland > Outback Queensland > Undara Volcanic National Park
Undara Volcanic National Park
Located around four hours inland from Cairns, this small national park is best known for its extensive lava tube system, which is one of the world’s longest.
The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife and you’ll see plenty of birds and the odd kangaroo or wallaby around the lodge.
Accommodation
Undara Wilderness Lodge
Savannah Way, via Mt Surprise
Tel (07) 4097 1411
Sights
Lava Tubes
The Undara Lava Tubes (tel (07) 4097 1411) were formed by a major volcanic eruption around 190,000 years ago. As the top layer of lava cooled, the magma continuted to flow below creating the lava tubes. One of the lava flows is over 160km-long.
Entry to the lava tubes is by guided tour with two-hour ($45), four-hour ($80) and full day tours ($125) departing from Undara Lodge.
Hiking
There are several relatively short hiking trails in the national park. These include the Atkinsons lookout trail (3.8km; 1½ hours) that goes from the Undara Lava Lodge to a large granite slab that offers views to the Granites and Racecourse Hill.
Kalakani Crater rim walk (2½ km; 1½ hours) climbs the saddle of the Kalkani Crater and then follows the rim where you can see the lava plains and volcanic vents.
The Rosella Plains lookout track (12km; 6 hours) starts out following the original telegraph line and then passes through a granite landscape with rosella bushes. If you’re short on time – or energy – it is possible to just do the first section of the track (3km; 2 hours).
