Hi Fodorites, I've been researching the OZ/NZ board for a couple weeks now. DH and I are headed there in Dec. 05/ Jan. 06.
The Undara Lava Tubes look really interesting, but is it just going to be way too hot to enjoy them in January?
I am looking at the "2 day Outback Experience" or the "Outback Day Tour" packages seen on www.undara.com.au under "Packages."
My concern is the heat and humidity, especially at night. Does anyone know if any of the accomodation has air conditioning? Or will it cool off at night?
I know our trip is very far away but I don't want to get excited about this beautiful location if it will not be worth our while to go there in the middle of summer.
Thanks in advance. Liz

Hi Liz - Daytime temperature at Undara in January will be hot at about a maximum of about 35C through the day. It cools down somewhat at night, and is cooler within the tubes, but the carriage accommodation is not airconditioned. Just overhead and side fans - no need for a blanket. Humidity won't be a problem - its well away from the North Queensland coastal humidity. But in Aussie outback/bush in summer you can expect flies.

My wife and I spend two nights out at Undarra a few years ago and really enjoyed it, not just for the lava tubes, but also for the walks and the abundant wildlife. Yes, Jan will be hot as Pat has indicated. Undarra is quite high in elevation, and coupled with the fact the inland humidity is not as high, I suspect the nights could be quite comfortable. We were there in June - heat was not a problem at all.

Thanks to both of you!
I didn't know it was at a higher elevation nor that the humidity should be lower there than the coast. It looks like a great place to visit.

Hi, tim & Liz,
I hope you make it to Undara - we were there five weeks ago, and it is truly an awesome place. As Pat said, it is a little cooler in the tubes. We only did a two hour tour unfortunately as we went out with a tour company.

Dotty-- if you could do it over, would you take the tour bus to Undara from Cairns, or drive yourself and stay overnight? Do you think the 2 hour-tour is long enough to appreciate the place? Any other details you can share about your experience?
We will have to decide whether it is worth it to spend 2 days at Undara or just the looong 1-day tour from Cairns.
Thanks again! Liz

Hi Tim and Liz - sorry to highjack question to Dotty, but I'm often asked this question and always recommend an overnight stay if time allows. the outback can be a magical experience at night - wait until you see the stars! It is a long drive from Cairns, especially in the height of summer. There is another way which I've done and that is fly on light aircraft from Cairns - Undara has a small landing strip (watch for kangaroos on it). It's a while since I've done it, wasn't too expensive - plane would make flight if they get 5 passengers. Undara would be able to give you up-to-date details. Flying over the tubes also gives you another perspective of how huge they are and you get a birds eye view of Tableland on the way.

Thanks Pat-- I will look into the flights. I appreciate your FNQ local knowledge!

Hi, Liz,
I would have said the same thing as Pat - although we did the day trip out with Tropic Wings, we wish we had had the time to stay overnight. You can go out with the tour company, stay the night or two, and then come back into Cairns with the Tour company.
The tubes themselves are fascinating. I was showing my dad the photos from the 'caves' in the weekend past, and he was amazed at the colours and patterns on the ceilings of the 'caves'. The Guides are full of knowledge and info, which of course they should be! The surrounding countryside was also interesting. Sadly we only saw a couple of kangaroos, and a few butterflies, but it was incredible. My recommendation? Go for as long as you can!!
Dot

Hi Liz -

My friend and I went to Undara from Cairns in Nov. 02. We ABSOLUTELY loved it. We had been to Melbourne, Tasmania, and Cairns and this was the first place where we were really in the outback. We stayed in a double railroad car which was fine and yes, would be warm during January. But, there are fans in most of the common areas.

The bus ride out there is a bit long but good for relaxing if you have been on the run for a week or so!

You take your meals in a common area where you can hear the kukabarra singing constantly. The food was excellent and I believe was always a buffet meal.

There are tons of kangaroos around so if you haven't seen one by this point, you will! There is a really nice pool which attracts them - only water for miles. There are some excellent hikes but you will definitely need to bring TONS of water with you - the manager wouldn't let us leave until we showed him our water bottles. The only complaint I would have is the flies. They can be horrible at times!! I ended up going into the library car which had a big fan and kept them away for a while.

The lava tubes themselves are quite fascinating. We stayed 2 nights so one night we went on the sunset tour. This was my favorite. We took a jeep-like vehicle through the bush looking for wildlife and then ended up at a rocky peak. We sat up there and had cheese & crackers & champagne while we watched the sunset. Then, our guide took us to one of the tube where we got to "witness" the exit of thousands of bats! (Glad to have had the champange!) I don't like bats but thought it was quite impressive - with their radar they don't even run into you.

Bottom line - Undara was fantastic and go for the 2 days!!

sygolfski- Thank you so much for adding your personal trip report to this post-- we are definitely planning on visiting the lava tubes!