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Superb train carriage accommodation
Inside the Lava tube is spectacular
The Outback and fascinating Undara LEN RUTLEDGE GOES ‘DOWN THE TUBE’ LAM, bang, biff, pow! I awake to unfamiliar sounds and cautiously pull up the blind. Oh, it’s just two kangaroos having a ‘friendly’ stand-up fight just outside my window. There’s nothing unusual about that at Undara. I’m rapidly discovering that very few things are considered unusual at Undara. The wildlife, the vegetation, the lava tubes and the railway carriage accommodation would all be considered very different elsewhere but here they are part of the amazing Undara Experience (www.undara.com.au ). I am in North Queensland revisiting one of the most fascinating Outback destinations easily accessible from the coastal cities.
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I first visited Undara with cattleman Gerry Collins back in the late 1980s when he had a dream to develop this unique area into a tourist attraction. At the time he was battling the Queensland Government for approvals and was trying to save his land from compulsory acquisition. In the end he succeeded with his dream and Queensland has a unique top quality experience for both local and international visitors. It is a wonderful destination from either Townsville or Cairns. It takes a while to sort out the Undara Experience. The whole package consists of accommodation, meals and facilities, tours and activities. You can cherry-pick bits and pieces but you will find that more is always better because this experience is very special.
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For accommodation, we choose the beautifully restored 100 year old railway carriages. These are set along the original Cobb & Co. coach road and are shaded by tall trees and a canopy roof. The rooms contain a very comfortable double bed, old railway seats ceiling fans, and a bathroom. The carriages are unique, comfortable and romantic. We love them. Other options are the permanent swag tents, some of which have their own kitchen, the caravan park and campground, and self-contained air-conditioned Pioneers Huts. After settling in we go exploring. We find the free tea and coffee that is always available and then relax in the deck chairs by the lagoon pool. This is perfect after the drive from Townsville. After recharging, we go on a self-guided bush walk.
There are nine tracks ranging from 1.5km to 12km return. We climb a nearby knoll and gaze over the plateau towards some of the 164 old volcanoes in the province. There is no sign of human occupation as far as we can see. We enquire about tours and are told about the Wildlife at Sunset trip that departs each day at around 5.30pm. Naturally we go on it.
As they emerge from the darkness We watch the sunset while enjoying sparkling wine and cheese and then are taken to the entrance of a lava tube at dusk to see pythons and tree snakes capturing a meal of micro bats as they emerge from the darkness in their thousands. Continued on page 23
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Terrigal
f o r
$
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1 5 9
includes a lakefront room, breakfast for two at our onsite restaurant Maccoa, bottle of James Estate Wine, and a cheese board. +
A D D A S E C O N D N I G H T with breakfast for only $129.00
Full terms & conditions apply. Valid to 28 September. $100 non-refundable deposit required at time off booking.
Call or go online with code NEWS to book.
THE CLAN TERRIGAL 1 Ocean View Drive, Terrigal NSW 2260 www.clan.com.au P 02 4384 1566 | E info@clan.com.au
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15% off meals When you dine in Maccoa as an in-house guest
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CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS DECEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021