Shiny clean and smelling like freshly picked geraniums, Innot Springs and the Atherton Tablelands became a fading memory in the rear vision mirror as we descended into the Gulf Savannah. A slight deviation from our southerly bearing, we headed west about 20 kilometres west to visit the famous Undara Lava Tubes.

The Undara Lava Tubes, part of the Undara Volcanic National Park in Queensland’s Gulf Savannah, are among the longest and best-preserved lava tube systems on Earth. Formed approximately 190,000 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption from the Undara Volcano, these tubes stretch across the landscape like an underground highway carved by molten rock. As the surface cooled while lava continued to flow beneath, it left behind a vast network of hollow tunnels.

Access to the Undara Lava Tubes is restricted to guided tours to protect their delicate ecosystem and ensure visitor safety from dangerous gases, carbon dioxide in particular.

This much hyped and slickly marketed natural attraction is certainly worth a visit, especially if you are passing by. Within the National Park,” Discovery Parks**” operates a caravan park and onsite accommodation as well as a very substantial restaurant and bar complex.

Coming Up: Jack’s old stomping ground!

**Discovery Parks is a network of holiday parks owned by the G’day Group, an Australian company that is majority-owned by the Australian Retirement Trust and led by founder and CEO Grant Wilckens.