All posts tagged Undara

Wallaroo at Undara
Wild Life at Undara

Day 19: Undara to Karumba to Gregory

There were so much wildlife at Undara that couldn’t help myself taking some shots in the morning. Undara was a pleasant unplanned surprise.

Left Undara only knowing that I was heading West so I followed the Savannah Way pretty much all the way. Passed through a couple of towns and there were really not much there in that part of Queensland.  My goal was to get to as close to the border as possible then go south to get on the highway to N.T.

Normanton was where I was heading. Not a bad country town or should I say cowboy. There were many ‘Rodeo’ signs around town.

Karumba, another nice surprise. Nice town just on the Gulf of Carpentaria. First thing I noticed here was the forever changing clouds in the sky as I am a self-acclaimed ‘Cloud Chaser’. Then I found out this is where you can see the ‘Morning Glory’ phenomenon just before the wet season begins. For those of you don’t know what M.G. is; it is a cloud formation can only be seen on the Gulf of Carpentaria and Gulf of New Mexico. (Google it if you want to know more 🙂 ) …. It is rather ironic to think that I like clouds and my work is around cloud as well.

Anyway, spent a few hours there in Karumba and had a couple of sandwiches in the picnic area… fed the birds that were hanging around… It was time to move on.

Basically, just drove until I was tired then stop on the side somewhere overnight. And the little town I stopped and slept in was…. Gregory. It was the closest that I can get to Gregory for a while.

John @ Gregory, QLD


Images: Wildlife at Undara Experience

Day 18 (Part 2): Undara Volcanic National Park

OK, this one just going to be a quick update…

The lava tubes are lot bigger than everyone thought and it is quite spectacular. It is listed as one of the 100 things to do before you die, so I leave it up to you. This place, Undara Experience, is nestled with all these old train carriages which they have converted into cabins, bar and eating area. It is a rather interesting idea. There are also plenty of visitors with their caravans; some are pretty ‘lush’.

Just had myself a rib-eye and a cold beer. Bit of luxury for the journey 🙂 Tonight’s entertainment, apparently there is going to be an open camp fire, trivia and singing along. Will be interesting and hopefully I can get some people shots which I haven’t done any this trip yet.


Image: Undara Lava Tube

 

Day 18 (Part 1): Undara Volcanic National Park

So far, my favourite area is definitely the Atherton Tablelands region. IMHO, it is just breathtakingly beautiful. It is definitely an area that I would considered for our “retirement” one day. It was the only place so far in my journey that I would have stayed longer. However, I am keen to get to the centre so just have to come back with the family one day.

I am heading to Undara hoping to get on a tour to the longest continued lave tube in the world. On the way, stopped at Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland at 930m above sea level. There was this place called Windy Hill not long before Ravenshoe. I could understand where the name came about…. the wind was so strong that I could hardly held my camera steady. Windmills are the feature on the hills and there couldn’t be a better place for them.

Arrived at Undara shortly after midday and was glad that camping sites and tour are available. So booked myself in for the 3:30pm tour and a night of accommodation.

It is now 2:21pm and sitting here at the bar having a ‘Flat White’ and waiting for my tour; thought I would do a quick post. I will try to do a second post later on to tell you about the lave tube walk.

xox

John @ Undara Volcanic National Park, QLD


Image: Fruit Bat Falls at Cape York Peninsula