The lava flowed through the mostly flat terrain and along old river beds. The surface solidified while lava continued to flow. The flow was such that many of the tubes emptied themselves of lava when the flow ended, leaving huge hollowed-out lava tubes. The longest tube was 160 km long. Much of the lodge is contructed from renovated railway carriages, including the accommodation units and the restaurant and bar.
Permanent tents are also available, as well as space for caravans, motorhomes, and tent camping.
It's advisable to book in advance during the winter season, because the accommodation and camping area can be completely full. We're not sure why everyone gave up earlier than usual in the season, but the guides speculated that a minor heat wave on the nearby coast made everyone think the interior would be scorching. In fact, it was quite pleasant. Thomas Atkinson, grandson of the geologist who wrote up some of the details of the tubes, took us on both the morning and afternoon tours and told us a lot about the history and geology of the area. We were the only people on the afternoon tour.