Mount Etna in the Mount Etna Caves National Park, is the roosting site for more than 80 per cent of Australia's breeding population of little bent-wing bats. The park is also one of the few places in Australia supporting a colony of vulnerable ghost bats.

Mount Etna trail (2.4km / 1.5 mi return) located in the Mount Etna section of the national park, expansive views of Limestone Ridge, the historic Pilkington Quarry and old mine workings feature strongly on this walk. The 1.2km track uphill to Bat Cleft is quite strenuous with many steps. Only relatively fit people should attempt this walk or join the Bat Cleft tour. The Bat Cleft cave entrance track is steep and can be slippery when wet. It is a steep drop into the cave, please remain behind the installed safety chain.

Walk in the cooler months or early morning to avoid the heat. The track is closed to independent visitors during the bats’ breeding season from 1 November to the end of February. During this time, it is accessible only on a ranger-led guided tour (operating from early December to mid February). The Bat Cleft tour takes you up Mount Etna, through remnant dry rainforest and limestone formations to the top of a disused mine. The track then descends across ancient limestone karst to Bat Cleft.

Located 720km (447.3 miles/8 hr 35 min) from Village Roadshow Studios.
The nearest airport is Rockhampton (ROK).
The closest POH, Rockhampton, is 27.4 km (17 miles/30 min) away.