Microbats and Night Tigers

The image to the right was taken by our TV cameraman, Greg Bluett last month.

This shows the incredible volume of bats that emerge from the Lava Tube,

And just how close our Savannah Guides get you to the action!!

PUT YOURSELF IN THE WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY THIS SUMMER!!.

A fascinating event takes place at Undara each evening between December and March. Something that simply has to be witnessed at least once in a lifetime. For those captivated by the natural world and the wonders of wildlife, this is an absolute must.

Each evening around dusk, Undara’s population of microbats - estimated at around 250,000 in total - fly out from deep within the lava tubes to search the volcanic landscape for insects.

As they emerge, snakes hanging in trees at the entrance to the tubes strike out to capture the bats as they fly past. And they have to strike quickly: the bats’ sophisticated “radar”, or echolocation system, enables them to change direction instantly to avoid any object in their path - including humans, so you can get as close as you like with no fear of collision.

The brown tree snakes, known as “night tigers”, are completely uninterested in us - yet deadly to the tiny bats, the prey they lie in wait for each night.

Visitors can choose to go right to the entrance to the cave or watch from a distance if the combination of bats, snakes and caves is just a little too daunting.

But we recommend setting aside any misgivings and getting right into the midst of the action.

Here’s an extract from a vivid description of the experience published by Australian Traveller magazine:

So you’re asking yourself, “Why would I want to go anywhere near this?” To hear [Savannah Guide] Tim Morgan tell it, “it’s a case of why wouldn’t you?”

In his words, you’ll see a “spaghetti necktie of snakes” and “feel the breeze from the movement of thousands of bats”.

It’s a truly unique experience, and for that reason alone it’s worth setting your fears aside.

This extraordinary sight can only be seen during the summer months and only on Undara’s Wildlife at Sunset Tour.

We take you to Barkers Cave, one of the bats’ favourite haunts, and wait for the action to begin. The challenge is to get a good, close-up photo of the snakes and bats. We’ve published some on this page, and we’d love to receive more from our guests.

To find out more about the Undara microbats, have a read of Tunnels to a Wildlife Underworld.