Mt Mulligan Lodge

The lodge accommodates just 16 guests in spacious guest retreats that complement the landscape and offer a luxurious and charming take on pastoral living. Each retreat is a sanctuary overlooking a eucalyptus-fringed weir and views of the ever-changing moods of Mount Mulligan.

The spacious retreats are contemporary and luxurious; yet retain a raw external charm with their spotted gum timber cladding, pitched roofs and deep verandahs. Inside, the earthy-tones of the plush linen, sisal rugs and lavish leather furniture give a rich sense of place, mirroring the hues found in the landscape outside. With its dark grey stone tiles and bronze fittings, the ensuite bathroom is both luxurious and calming. Slide open the glass and timber doors onto your private deck to run a deep outdoor bath, offering uninterrupted views of the Northern Queensland outback.

The spacious retreats are made for flexibility: the Outback Room is perfect for those travelling individually or as a duo, while the Outback Suite, with its adjoining lounge room, is ideal for those looking for additional space to unwind. The lounge is spacious, with a cosy wood-burning fire and private deck. The Outback Pavilion is the ultimate getaway for families and groups, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a communal lounge. One of the pavilions is wheelchair accessible and guests are assigned their own electric buggy to explore the sprawling property with ease.

Additional features in all retreats include; complimentary room mini-bar, daily housekeeping, optional climate control, complimentary laundry service, wi-fi, binoculars, yoga mats, music system (with MP3 input) and a safe. There are no TVs in any of the room types.

Closed 29 Jan – 28 Feb 2022

Mount Mulligan is known as Ngarrabullgan in Aboriginal culture which is a sacred ‘Dreaming’ place and features in the mythological legends and beliefs of Aboriginal groups for hundreds of kilometres in the surrounding area. Aboriginal people first started to camp on the mountain about 37,000 years ago, but have rarely done so for the last 600 years. Eekoo, a malevolent wandering spirit lives at the top and Traditional Owners continue to approach the mountain with great caution.

A range of signature daily experiences led by passionate and knowledgeable guides allow guests to encounter the rich coal and gold rush history of the area as well as experience the present day pastoral workings of the 28,000-hectare cattle station.

Mt Mulligan Lodge offers modern laid-back luxury in the untamed and rugged outback environment of Queensland. Guests are be able to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Take a 4WD safari to Tyrconnell Gold Mine where the thundering sound of Australia’s oldest operating gold crusher fills your senses with what it was like to work in one of the country’s most productive goldmines. Delve deeper into the moving stories and fascinating history behind the abandoned township of Mount Mulligan, the site of Queensland’s worst mine disaster.

For those who love adventure, nothing beats getting behind the wheel of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) exploring boulder-strewn creeks, navigating outback tracks and meeting the bovine locals before resting at the picturesque south end of Mount Mulligan to delight in a chef-prepared gourmet picnic hamper and graze on freshly made goodies.

If a slower pace is calling, throw a line into the eucalyptus-fringed weir and lure a wild barramundi onto your hook for dinner, take a meditative guided nature walk, unfurl your yoga mat and salute the sun by the infinity pool, take out a paddleboard or kayak on the glistening weir, run a deep warm bath on your private verandah or settle down by the crackling fire pit to watch as thousands of stars brighten the night sky.

Whether it’s company or solitude you seek, the main pavilion is the welcoming heart of Mt Mulligan Lodge. With generous proportions, an inviting full height double-sided fireplace, lavish canvas and steel camp-style chairs, plush armchairs and a ‘help yourself’ bar and snack station, it’s the ideal space to soak up the majesty of Mount Mulligan and the tranquility of this superb outback setting.

Mt Mulligan Lodge is situated in the Queensland outback, 160km north-west of Cairns. There are a few transport options to and from Mount Mulligan for both domestic and international travellers.

By helicopter: Mt Mulligan Lodge is a 35-minute scenic helicopter journey from Cairns. Due to weight restrictions on the helicopter, passengers are requested to bring a small, soft duffle bag up to a maximum weight of 15kg in total. If required, there are duffle bags on site at the helicopter hangar for you to re-pack your luggage. Excess luggage can be stored safely while you are at the lodge. The body weight of each individual guest must also be provided in kilograms at the time of booking.

By road: Mt Mulligan Lodge is a 2.5 – 3 hour 4WD journey from Cairns. It is a challenging drive, so unless guests are confident and experienced with driving 4WD vehicles on unsealed roads, booking a private 4WD vehicle, bus or limousine transfer is suggested via the Northern Escape Collection Reservations. During the wet season (January to March), it is recommended booking a helicopter charter as road closures may occur.

By private aircraft: A landing strip is located nearby at the township of Mareeba. The Northern Escape Collection jet can seat up to 10 guests and departs from all major cities in Australia.