Volcanic relic
Age-old history: The Undara Lava Tubes were created about 190,000 years ago when a local volcano erupted.
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, creating the spectacular caverns we see today.
The word Undara means "a long way" in Aboriginal language. The tubes are approximately 100km long, making them one of the longest continuous lava flows in the modern history of our planet.
The Undara tubes are located half a day's drive west from Cairns and are accessable from a number of different transport options, including by air, a historic train ride or scenic coach transfer.
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