Undara Lava Tubes The Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000 years ago when a major volcano in the McBride volcanic province erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dry river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the volcano. As the eruption slowed and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels. Ancient roof collapses created deep, dark and moist depressions where fertile pockets of rainforest can now be seen. Rainforest plants and animals thrive in this environment; each tube offers a rare insight into this unusual geological wonder. The word Undara means 'a long way' in the Aboriginal language, and one of the lava flows from Undara extends 160 kilometres (or 100 miles) making it the longest lava flow from a single volcano on our planet. The original tube formed by the flow extended for approximately 100 kilometres, and several sections are accessible. During the eruption cycle, the Undara volcano spewed forth 23 cubic kilometres of lava covering 1550 square kilometres. So far, 68 separate sections of cave have been identified from over 300 lava tube roof collapses. About The Lava Lodge A scenic 4 hour drive inland from the Great Barrier Reef coast brings you to the Undara Lava Lodge. The lodge is situated 275 kilometres from Cairns on sealed roads (all except the last 7 kilometres), all driveable by conventional vehicle. Set on the eastern edge of the Gulf Savannah, Undara is 2,500 feet above sea level and enjoys over 300 days a year sunshine. With minimal humidity, the climate is very pleasant with warmer days and cooler evenings. Neither hotel nor resort, the Undara Lava Lodge is a wilderness experience totally in contrast to today's modern accommodation. At Undara Experience, guests revisit a bygone era with authentic turn-of-the-century railway carriages that have been beautifully restored and now rest under tall shady gum trees alongside an old teamsters trail. At night, a campfire crackles nearby - after dinner is the perfect time to take part in fireside tales and sing-a-longs. Each morning, you can enjoy a true Aussie breakfast surrounded by the birds and the bush at the Ringers' Camp. Charming, compact, comfortable, and with shared amenities, the carriage compartments evoke the glamour of great train journeys of long ago. You'll discover the siding decks are the perfect place to observe the wildlife, or relax and simply absorb the sounds of the bush. The Lodge serves regional cuisine from the Fettler's Iron Pot Bistro and guests can dine under the Outback stars or inside the nostalgic dining carriages. Complement your dining experience with a classic Australian wine from our quality selection. There's also the very special Swags Tent Village where you only need to bring your own swag (bedding). Undara's Swags Tents are comfortable 'off-the-ground' tents with full head room, lighting and of course ... beds!  Next to Swags is Undara's newest facility, the Wilderness Lodge. Catering for up to 48 guests in dormitory style accommodation with bunks, the Wilderness Lodge has a separate and central communal cooking area with gas barbecue facilities. It's ideal for students or other educational study groups