Where is it? In Undara Volcanic National Park, four hours' drive southwest of Cairns, amid thousands of square kilometres of savannah woodlands.
What's so different about it? Billed as Australia's accessible Outback, Undara offers the chance to explore the great outdoors while retaining some of the comforts of home. It is run by the Collins family, whose forebears settled in Undara in the 1860s. They aim to preserve this unique land for future generations, so ecotourism is the keyword.
Luxurious or basic? It's both. Guests can stay in one of 25 rooms inside a series of restored antique railway carriages that nestle beneath gum trees. For a more back-to-nature experience, they can rent one of 25 comfortable, permanent tents offering twin, triple or family accommodation complete with beds, bedding and kitchenettes.
What's the ambience like? A laidback Aussie vibe with genuine Outback hospitality: it's a delight to enjoy a sundown beer on the deck while families of kangaroos hop past and kookaburras perch in the trees overhead. If you want to relax, fire up the barbecue and watch the world go by. If not, there are plenty of hiking options and a variety of tours and activities to take you into the wilderness.
What else is there to do? From bushwalking to bird-watching, Undara is a nature lover's haven. It is renowned for its lava tubes, created more than 190,000 years ago when the Undara volcano erupted, leaving huge, dark tubes that are home to plants and animals. Guided tours take guests down into the tubes.
At sunset, drive into bushland that teems with kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos. Finish with a glass of champagne on the highest bluff in the park and enjoy panoramic views of the plains.
