Undara sits on the Savannah Way inland from Cairns and holds one of the longest lava tube systems on earth. It is a genuine outback stop rather than a day trip, the driving is long and dry, and it is the sort of place a rooftop tent was made for.
Getting there
Undara is reached from the Gulf Developmental Road, inland from Cairns through Ravenshoe and Mount Surprise. The main access is sealed, but the distances are long and services are thin between towns. Plan fuel around your worst leg rather than your average, and check current road conditions before you leave, because the Gulf roads change with weather.
Camping and access
Undara Volcanic National Park protects the lava tubes, and access to the tubes themselves is by guided tour only. Camping arrangements and any permits should be checked and booked through Queensland Parks and the local operator before you arrive, because this is not somewhere to turn up and improvise.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
Common questions
Can you camp at Undara?
Yes, with arrangements made in advance. Check camping and any permits with Queensland Parks and the local operator before you travel, and note that the lava tubes themselves can only be visited on a guided tour.
What is the road to Undara like?
The main access from the Gulf Developmental Road is sealed, but the legs between towns are long and services are limited. Check current conditions before leaving and plan fuel around the longest stretch.
Is a rooftop tent good for the Savannah Way?
Yes. Camp moves often, the ground is hard and hot, and a hard shell keeps the canvas out of the dust while you drive. Stay on top of re-torquing your mounts, because corrugations work fasteners loose.
Related guides
Undara and the Savannah Way: Rooftop Tent Touring Guide
Undara sits on the Savannah Way inland from Cairns and holds one of the longest lava tube systems on earth. It is a genuine outback stop rather than a day trip, the driving is long and dry, and it is the sort of place a rooftop tent was made for.
Getting there
Undara is reached from the Gulf Developmental Road, inland from Cairns through Ravenshoe and Mount Surprise. The main access is sealed, but the distances are long and services are thin between towns. Plan fuel around your worst leg rather than your average, and check current road conditions before you leave, because the Gulf roads change with weather.
Camping and access
Undara Volcanic National Park protects the lava tubes, and access to the tubes themselves is by guided tour only. Camping arrangements and any permits should be checked and booked through Queensland Parks and the local operator before you arrive, because this is not somewhere to turn up and improvise.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
Common questions
Can you camp at Undara?
Yes, with arrangements made in advance. Check camping and any permits with Queensland Parks and the local operator before you travel, and note that the lava tubes themselves can only be visited on a guided tour.
What is the road to Undara like?
The main access from the Gulf Developmental Road is sealed, but the legs between towns are long and services are limited. Check current conditions before leaving and plan fuel around the longest stretch.
Is a rooftop tent good for the Savannah Way?
Yes. Camp moves often, the ground is hard and hot, and a hard shell keeps the canvas out of the dust while you drive. Stay on top of re-torquing your mounts, because corrugations work fasteners loose.
Related guides