We left the roof vents and a couple of windows ajar last night but much to our surprise, we were still hot with the doona removed for most of the night. At some undetermined time, it rained but not enough to force us to close the vents.
We had to use our on-board facilities, so we didn’t waste time in walking to the toilets located within the camp site boundary. As we had remained hitched, there was little to do before our departure.
With only 200 kilometers to travel, the decision was made for group members to travel independently. This decision was also reinforced with some members shopping and refuelling during the journey. As for us, we refuelled at Atherton and then stopped for an early lunch and milk purchase at Ravenshoe.
We arrived at the Undara Lava Tubes just after midday after a relaxed and quick drive. Our venue is the Discovery Resorts, Undara (Mt Surprise).
It did not take long to settle on our site which is a long walk from the two amenities blocks.
We had a very quiet afternoon doing puzzles (She) and writing this blog (He). We have not yet attempted to connect television with the transmitted some 85 kilometers away.
Some members of our group enjoyed a happy hour in the parks bar where a 20% discount was offered between 3pm and 5pm.
At 5pm, we were joined by several members of our group for the sunset tour at the lava tubes. We were taken by bus to a hill that overlooks the Undara National Park and the remains of the volcanic activity. As the sun set in the far distance, we enjoyed bubbly and cheese platters before returning to the bus and driving to a lava tube to watch the resident bats leave for their evening meals. The lava tube was said to contain up to 40,000 bats and we probably watched most of them leave. As we stood inside the lava tube, the tube was illuminated with bright light so we could see the bats flying. It was almost impossible to photograph but several videos She took captured the movement of the bats.
We returned to our caravan and cooked sausages for our evening meal. With no television, the evening was spent of the computers.
We left the air conditioning running whilst we were away, and we were amazed that the caravan is warmer than outside. The temperature has started to drop, and we will need to think about a change in clothing type as we move inland and then to the south.