So a BIG thank you to everybody involved, the staff, the judges, TTNQ and of course our customers, and we hope to see you out at the lodge again soon.

With all the preparation it’s almost the calm before the storm. Thinking of which it’s time to check the forecast and with a sigh that is almost audible in Townsville it looks like Mother Nature will smile upon us. And even the moon is going to be up and bright for the evening finales!

So we head out of Cairns tomorrow morning stopping at Coffee Works on the way to pick up some of those chocolate covered coffee beans everyone is raving about  to serve up during the wine tasting in the afternoon. Together with the complimentary cheese platter its going to make for a great warm up for the singing.

But there’s plenty to be done before then, get everyone out to the Lodge, set up the AV equipment, meet the Sopranos, the list is long.

Stay tuned for my live blog update as the weekend progresses.

The series runs until November so be sure to follow their progress as the rains chase them west.

Head to http://www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/interactive/twointhetopend/ep1/ to download or watch Episode 1.

Thanks Tim Flannery and John Doyle for dropping by!

Not since 1991 have large amounts of water collected in the lava tubes in the Undara Volcanic National Park, 275km south west of Cairns in the Gulf Savannah. Water up to a metre deep is collecting in the largest accessible tube, Stephenson’s and the 100 mile swamp, (100 miles west of Cardwell) is almost full for the first time in 17 years.

Kaye Stevens, Undara Experience’s Senior Savannah Guide, says that the national park has come alive with with birdlife, reptiles, kangaroos and other marsupials as well as having the vine thicket (remnant rainforest) species in the lava tube roof collapses looking at its best.

Undara Experience at present is conducting special 2 hour tours which will take people to the entrance of Stephenson’s Cave to see the massive volume of water winding through the lava tube system. The Savannah Guides will also give people the opportunity to view inside a lava tube, named Collin’s Roadcave, which has escaped flooding and remains dry.

The access road to Undara Experience is now fully sealed and open to conventional vehicles. For the latest on road conditions, Undara recommends travelers review the RACQ road report for the area, available through the RACQ website.

Just some of Gerry’s major achievements:

• Established Undara Experience in 1990, a very successful tourism operation which attracts over 40,000 international, national and regional visitors each year and provides exployment for some 40 workers full, part-time and casual workers. Undara Experience has won over 25 tourism awards since it’s inception including an Australian Tourism Award.
• Has played a key role in the development of the highly successful Savannah Guides organisation.
• Gerry was a committee member of the Far Nth Qld Amateur Turf Club for 40 years.
• Gerry was the Outback Director for Tourism Tropical Nth Queensland for 13 years, 3 years as Chairman of Tourism Tropical Tablelands and has been the Patron to the Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund for 16 years.

Gerry continues to be involved in both the pastrol & tourism industries sharing his extensive knowledge.

On behalf of the entire team at Undara Experience, congratulations Gerry and thank your for your vision, your leadership and for the significant contribution you’ve made in Tropical North Queensland, and in particular the Gulf Savannah.

The Undara Experience group is looking forward to showing visitors the amazing sight of thousands of micro-bats leaving the caves at dusk in their search for insects to eat. Green season will be officially launched in Cairns by Tourism Minister Desley Boyle. The launch will be held at the Undara sales and marketing office at 142 Buchan St at 4pm on Friday. The Undara Experience aims to raise awareness of Undara’s wildlife among tourists from northern Europe in order to increase customer numbers in the November to March low season.

Article appeared in the Cairns Post – Wednesday 5th December 2007

The PublicityShip Hidden Jewel Awards panel of judges are drawn from across the tourism industry: Escorted holiday operator, AAT Kings, is known for supporting small, independent tourism businesses, and CEO, Les Cox, is delighted to be involved with the Awards.

National consumer travel magazine, Australian Traveller, also prides itself on supporting independent tourism businesses with editorial that doesn’t depend on advertising or hosted famils.

Channel Nine is providing a judge from its popular Postcards series, which again seeks out new and hidden gems to bring to a wider audience.

The judging panel was chaired by Jane Hammond Foster, former travel magazine editor and now manager of PublicityShip.

During the evenings from now until March, Undara’s population of Micro Bats, thousands of them each weighing only a few 100 grams fly out from deep within the Lava Tubes searching the volcanic landscape to go looking for food.

As they emerge, incredible snakes called the “Night Tigers”, harmless to us, hang from the entrance of the tube and strike out to capture and eat the bats as they fly past.

This extraordinary site can only be seen during the summer months and only on UNDARA’S FAMOUS WILDLIFE AT SUNSET TOUR.

Call Undara Reservations on 1800 990 992 or email Undara Experience

It simply must be seen to be believed.