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.

On arrival to the lodge it was time to get stuck into things, get the AV guys on their way, lay the carpet on the stage and prepare for the Ten Sopranos imminent arrival. Their were driving in from Townsville and just quietly I was worried they would get lost. To get lost in Sydney means a quick u-turn, out here, its about an hour before you realize you are lost, an hour to get back to where things went wrong and then another hour before you are certain you are on the right track. But they made it in good time and got settled in to their rail carriage accommodation as the temperature cooled off, time just for a quick nap before dinner.

The sound guys are ramping it up and getting the lights just right, tomorrow is day one and everyone’s got that buzz going on!

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!

But let’s take a moment to say thanks and good luck to my predecessor as he moves onwards and into the world of TTNQ, the official regional tourism office up here in Northern Queensland. No doubt many of us will continue to have dealings with Marcus and we wish him all the best!

It’s exciting times here however as things warm up for this years’ Opera in the Outback. It’s shaping up to be a big one, Penny Pavlakis, a highly acclaimed opera singer in her own right, is to lead the 10 Sopranos, with recent performances at the Brolga Theatre, Coffs Harbour, and an upcoming tour of Southern Queensland on the cards. But it’s the million stars and local wallabies in the audience that makes this show a truly unique experience. If you have been thinking about coming along then ACT NOW as tickets are selling fast.

I look forward to catching up with you all at this years Opera!

The road to Undara Experience is now fully sealed and with only 15kms of single-lane highway the trip is even more comfortable in a conventional vehicle, on a motorbike or if you are toeing a caravan. Undara Experience is a “one tank of fuel away” holiday destination, being just 275kms away from Cairns.

Undara Experience is located right on the border with the Undara Volcanic National Park and we offer everything a destination should. Choice of accommodation to suite taste and budget, access to activities ranging from taking a tour of the Undara lava tubes, to bushwalking, wildlife spotting and simply enjoying the open campfire and night sky. When did your kids last see the Milky Way galaxy.?

Wine and Dine at the Fettlers Iron-pot Bistro under an open stadium-sized canopy, complete with railway carriage saloon bar and dining. Book in for Bush Breakfast, the drovers experience, complete with the latest technology in fencing-wire toasters. Try not to burn your toast.!

It can be busy at this time of the year, so remember to at least book your Stay and Play activities.

Hope to see you out there.!!

Undara Experience is made for kids. Our tours of the Undara lava tubes take you into amazing, ancient formations which make you feel like you are on the set of an Indiana Jones movie and kids love it. The Wildlife at Sunset tour is a great option for families as our Savannah Guides take you into the national park on dusk when the animals are at their most active.

On the Wildlife tour, there are plenty of sophisticated nibbles and refreshments for the adults, as well as cheese, bikkies and fruit juice for the kids, which you will enjoy on a bluff while watching the sun set over the volcanic landscape.

Then its game as you are taken to the entrance of Barkers Cave to witness the emergence of thousands of tiny micro-bats. [Check out the video on our microbats page]

Other free activities you and your kids can enjoy at Undara Experience include 9 self-guided bushwalks (ranging from 30 minutes to 5 hours) and every night our Savannah Guides entertain anyone who is on site around the campfire, under the billiant outback stars. Our facilities also include plenty of space for riding bikes, a shallow rock pool perfect for toddlers, and a games railway car.

SO PACK THE KIDS AND HIT THE FULLY SEALED ROAD TO UNDARA EXPERIENCE !!

- refers specifically to activities and accommodation taken on the 28th and 29th June 08 and is for direct bookings only. Offer extends to children 4-14 years old. Children must be accompanied by 2 full paying adults. Offer extends to our Archway Explorer 2 hour tour and Wildlife at Sunset tour only (upgrades available) and any type of accomodation.

Somewhere natural, somewhere outdoors. A  unique place filled with Australian native wildlife, and an incredible geological history?

Undara Experience now offers you the opportunity to spend a full day discovering the secrets of the Undara Volcanic National Park on The Lost World Adventure.

Your Savannah Guide (accredited, locally trained guides who really know their stuff) meet you at reception and take you into 5 sections of the Undara Lava Tubes, showing you really cool things such as “Drip and Dribble”, the remnant splash on the cave walls from the lava flowing through; a moment in time frozen for 190,000 years.

You will also get an above ground view while walking around the rim of the Kalkani Crater, a cinder cone created by gas exploding through the earth’s crust. Views are boundless and give you an impression of the enormity of the lava flow which covered 1,550 sqare kilometres of the McBride Volcanic Province.

The Lost World Adventure gives you 8 hours in the Undara Volcanic National Park, the most comprehensive tour availalable and also includes full buffet lunch at Undara’s fully licensed restaurant plus morning and afternoon tea.

Curious? Send us an email if you have any questions and are interested in joining the next group. EMAIL: res@undara.com.au