Undara Volcanic National Park

Undara Volcanic National Park is a protected area in northern Queensland, Australia, centred on a network of basalt lava tubes formed during late Pleistocene volcanism. The tubes are a distinctive geological feature of the region and a focus for conservation and tourism.

The park’s main attraction is the Undara lava tubes, large tunnel-like passages formed when surface lava cooled and the molten interior flowed away. Guided walks and tours allow access to several of the more stable tube entrances and chambers, and the site is used for education about volcanology and geology.

Wildlife and vegetation around the tubes include dry tropical woodland species and wildlife adapted to the local climate; birds, reptiles and bat colonies inhabit sheltered areas around the tubes and in adjacent habitat. Visitor facilities include an interpretation area and organized tours operated from a nearby visitor centre and private accommodation providers.

The lava tubes were formed by extensive basaltic flows during the late Pleistocene (often cited at roughly 190,000 years ago) when large volumes of fluid lava traveled across the landscape and left hollow tubes. Over time the area has been recognised for its scientific and educational value and brought under formal protection and park management.

The park sits in inland north Queensland near the small settlement of Mount Surprise and is accessed from the regional road network. It lies on the Atherton Tablelands side of the Gulf Country region and is reached by road from towns in Far North Queensland.

• Access: Guided cave tours are the standard way to see the tubes because many sections are fragile and require a guide for safe access.
• Geology: The lava flow that created the tubes formed in the late Pleistocene and the system is among the longest known lava-tube networks on Earth.

What to See #

• Undara lava tubes: Network of lava tubes carved by basaltic lava from the Undara flow; several large accessible passages formed when the surface crust cooled and the molten interior drained away.
• Visitor centre and tours: Visitor facilities and guided tours run by private operators and the park service, with marked trails and interpretive walks leading to several tube entrances.