Gulf Savannah Visitor Guide

Australia’s Adventure Drive - www.savannahway.com.au 19 Etheridge Shire Enterprise SAVANNAH GUIDES Undara Volcanic National Park Situated on the McBride Volcanic Province, the Undara Volcanic National Park is 40 km east of Mount Surprise, with evidence of volcanic activity from 164 craters. One of the most recent and major eruptions 190,000 years ago produced 23 cubic kilometres of lava, most of which flowed down the western side of the Great Divide. This flow created a geological phenomenon now known as the Undara Lava Tubes. The tubes acted as conduits distributing lava over 100 km from the crater, the longest flow in the world from a single volcano. Access to the lava tubes is only through the Savannah Guides Enterprises Undara Experience (at the National Park) and Bedrock Village Caravan Park (in Mount Surprise, 55 kilometres). At Undara Experience are some great walking and cycling tracks to the Kalkarni Crater Rim Walk, the Bluff Lookout and along the historic telegraph line towards Cardwell. The Wildlife at Sunset Tour is an incredible experience, watching thousands of insectivorous microbats emerge from a lava tube while being hunted by dangling snakes and swooping falcons. Undara Experience Phone: (07) 4097 1900 Email: res@undara.com.au www.undara.com.au Restored railway carriage accommodation, swag tent village, camping and caravan sites, licensed bar and bistro, camp kitchens, tours. Reservations essential, and please note as this is a national park animals are not permitted. Mount Surprise Mount Surprise is a railway town on the old Cairns to Forsayth Railway line and is the first Gulf Savannah town encountered by visitors approaching from the east. It is the centre for gem fossicking with topaz, quartz, spinel, garnet, cairngorm and aquamarine to be found. Mount Surprise sits on the edge of the immense Undara lava field caused by ancient volcanic eruptions in the McBride Plateau. The surrounding country is flat, wooded savannah grasslands with isolated hills. Undara Outback Rock and Blues Mt Surprise fossicking