An Undara Experience

Bedroom

Dining Room

Breakfast room



Pale headed parrot


Tuesday was a quiet day, catching up on laundry and housework. Fortunately, the very hot day had cooled down somewhat by the time we played bowls in the evening; Himself and his team played well, winning themselves $10 each.

Wednesday morning we were up bright and early for our long drive to the Undara Lava Tubes and an overnight stay in a converted railway carriage. For the third time in ten days, we made the slow, windy climb up the Kuranda Range and then headed to Yungaburra again. As we had missed seeing the Avenue of Honour last Saturday, this was our first priority – and well worth the detour. This memorial to the defence service personnel who have served in Afghanistan, and in particular those who sacrificed their lives, was only opened a few weeks ago. It was also touching to see a memorial in honour of the service dogs which were killed in action.

The rich chocolate/red soil, lush farmlands and rain forest pockets of the Atherton Tablelands soon gave way to the dry savannah typical of the inland and far north Queensland. The bush was quite beautiful in its own way, with orange and yellow grevilleas and some wattle in flower. We stopped for lunch at Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland, eating in an old café which looked like it dated from the 1920/30s, and still had many of the original fittings.

Our arrival at Undara for our “Undara Experience” quickly became just that – an experience! I had booked by telephone a couple of weeks ago, agreeing that Wednesday, 31st July, would suit us. I also rang back to confirm and make tour and meal reservations and, unfortunately, didn’t read the confirmation email carefully enough. When we attempted to check in, we discovered that our reservation had been entered into the computer for the 1st, not the 31st. Much angst! Fortunately, there was one room with en-suite (a must have) still available. We have a quarter of a railway carriage, with a bed, a carriage seat, overhead luggage racks and a small ensuite. Cat wasn’t exactly thrilled at the thought he may have to sleep in the rack. Nor do we have a key to our room, as “they” found that sometimes the keys became stuck in locks, so now the doors are left unlocked. Which means that valuable have to be taken to the car each time we go out – or carry them with us, which isn’t exactly convenient. We have been assured that the expensive “bush breakfast” half a kilometre away in the bush is well worth it.