Undara Lava Tubes

Eruption. 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 taking it further and further from the volcano. (Illustration courtesy of Australian Geographic)

Lava Tunnels. As the eruption slowed and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels.

Ancient roof collapses created deep, dark and moist depressions where fertile pockets of rainforest can now be seen.

Rainforest. Rainforest plants and animals thrive in this environment; each tube offers a rare insight into this unusual geological wonder.

World’s longest lava flow. The word Undara means ‘a long way’ in Aboriginal language. One of the lava flows from Undara extends over 160 kilometres (or 100 miles). This makes it one of the longest lava flows from a single volcano on our planet in modern geological time. The original tube formed by the flow extended for approximately 100 kilometres, and several sections are accessible.

Massive Lava Volume. It has been estimated that during the eruption, the Undara volcano spewed forth 23 cubic kilometres of lava covering 1,550 square kilometres. So far, 68 separate sections of cave have been identified from over 300 lava tube roof collapses.

Experience of a Lifetime. Most of our tours include the Lava Tubes, so take a look at our Tours & Packages section to find the experience of a lifetime.

Geology and Ecology. For more information about the geology and ecology of the Undara Lava Tubes, read Tunnels To A Wildlife Underworld, reprinted with the permission of the Australian Geo Magazine.

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