Collins family sells FNQ’s Undara Experience to tourism behemoth G’Day Group

It’s been described by naturalist David Attenborough as the eighth wonder of the world – and now this iconic Far North tourism destination has changed hands.

IT’S been described by naturalist David Attenborough as the eighth wonder of the world – and now the Undara Experience on the edge of the Undara Volcanic National Park has been sold.

The site is the gateway to a network of lava tubes caused by a volcanic eruption 190,000

years ago - part of the World’s longest lava flow from a single volcano in

modern geological time, with vegetation that traces back to Gondwana.

The G’Day Group, which operates a host of Australian tourism experiences including El Questro in WA, Kings Canyon in the NT, and the Discovery – Rottnest Island glamping experience among others, is the new owner of the Undara Experience.

Undara Experience was established by the Collins family, original settlers in the area

nearly 160 years ago, who still graze cattle in the area six generations later.

The Collins family has a deep connection to the area and will have an ongoing relationship with the property.

The Undara Experience in Tropical North Queensland is known as the gateway to Undara Volcanic National Park.

Owner and director of Undara, Bram Collins, said Undara Experience represents the

values of the Collins family.

“The decision to sell Undara has been a difficult one. I am extremely proud of what we

have built over the last three decades, including the incredible experiences we have

created to connect people with nature,” he said.

“I would also like to acknowledge this has only been possible through the relationships

we have held with the Traditional Owners, the Ewamian Aboriginal People, Queensland

Parks and Wildlife Service and our long association with Savannah Guides.

“A combination of the changing border lockdowns, the next generation of Collins’

pursuing other interests, and after a record year there’s no better partner to hand over the

reins to than the G’day Group who have so many other iconic properties in their portfolio.”

G’Dday Group CEO Grant Wilckens said Undara was the latest jewel in his organisation’s crown of iconic Aussie tourism locations.

“The Undara Experience is a fantastic addition to our portfolio – very much aligned with

our desire to be synonymous with the great Aussie holiday. It’s an internationally

significant geological treasure and a wonderful attraction along the Savannah Way, which

is the main touring route for travellers across Northern Australia from Cairns to Broome.”

“For generations, the Collins family have done a great job in caring for this

natural wonder and sharing it sustainably with tourists – we’re very proud to be taking on

the job,” Mr Wilckens said.

Undara Lava Tubes.

The property, which includes a mix of accommodation, tours and food and beverage, is

the only accommodation and experience offering in the Undara Volcanic National Park

and rates highly on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

Its tours of the spectacular lava tube network and wildlife at Sunset tours are popular with

travellers and it hosts the Undara Outback Rock and Blues festival every year.

The park currently offers a range of accommodation options with 60 cabins comprising 18

Homestead Rooms, six pioneer huts, 18 railway carriage rooms, 29 swag tents and 93

sites, including 57 powered and 36 unpowered sites, with room for further development.

Facilities include large central open-air dining and bar, a pool, petrol pumps, communal

campfires, shop, open-air stage, airfield, bush walking trails, conference room and bike

tracks.

Originally published as Collins family sells FNQ’s Undara Experience to tourism behemoth G’Day Group