Mount Mulligan Lodge

Located on an entirely private 28,000 hectare outback property 160km north-west of Cairns, Mt Mulligan Lodge accommodates just 20 indulged guests at any one time, ensuring a rugged and intimate escape.

Offering all-inclusive luxury accommodation in the shadow of majestic Mount Mulligan, the lodge features four different accommodation types, a beautifully designed main pavilion for guest meals and relaxation, an infinity pool and sunset bar.

Each guest room at Mt Mulligan Lodge is also assigned its own electric buggy for guests to zip to the communal Main Pavilion or the Sunset Bar. A range of experiences have been designed to make the most of the rugged outback territory.

Mt Mulligan Lodge offers guided tours of the goldfields including a sighting of Australia’s oldest operating gold stamper at Tyrconnell, exploration of the historic Mount Mulligan coal mine and abandoned township, ATV adventures discovering the history and beauty of the region.

Chef-prepared gourmet picnic hampers, wildlife spotting, sunset drinks overlooking the escarpment, stargazing, hikes around the southern face of Mount Mulligan, barramundi fishing in the weir, scenic helicopter flights and the chance to experience the day-to-day operations of a working cattle station. Mt Mulligan Lodge is a child-friendly property, welcoming children of all ages to this luxury lodge Queensland.

NORTHERN ESCAPE COLLECTION
Mt Mulligan Lodge is proud to be part of the Northern Escape Collection, a curated portfolio of boutique sustainable lodges and experiences that celebrate Queensland’s diverse natural beauty in one bespoke journey.

Inspiring authentic experiences and lasting memories, discover a secluded island paradise on the Great Barrier Reef (Orpheus Island Lodge), a soul-enriching retreat in the Daintree Rainforest (Daintree Ecolodge), and invoke the spirit of adventure in the outback (Mt Mulligan Lodge).

A private helicopter charter service provides unrivalled access to the three boutique lodges and an outstanding superyacht (M.Y. Flying Fish), equipped with its own heli-pad, offers privately chartered Great Barrier Reef exploration.

The Northern Escape Collection was crafted by Australian family business, the Morris Group, with the goal of allowing travellers to experience Northern Australia in its purest form and to contribute to sustainable economies in the region.

THE PHILOSOPHY
Achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. At the Northern Escape Collection, we are passionate about reducing our impact on the environment and making a positive one on the community. We believe that turning a profit and supporting these two areas can go hand-in-hand.

Sustainability lies at the core of who we are as a business and we use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as the framework to help focus our efforts with the mission of achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

At Mt Mulligan Lodge we are continuously expanding our efforts to tackle these issues by focusing on the goals where we think we can have the most impact.

Mt Mulligan Lodge’s parent company, the Morris Group, also supports community projects related to these goals through its philanthropic foundation the Morris Family Foundation.

REEF KEEPERS FUND
At Mt Mulligan Lodge, we are passionate about preserving the natural beauty of the Far North Queensland area. The Reef Keepers Fund is an environmental fund created by the Morris Group that supports projects and organisations that are committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

The fund allows you to indulge with a clear conscience, as $50 per guest stay is donated toward environmental projects aimed at protecting and preserving the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem.

The donations will be granted to different organisations working on projects that protect our reef. If you feel inspired to contribute you are welcome to match or add your desired amount to your final bill.

The Reef Keepers Fund has supported projects that have helped build research, awareness and education surrounding reef sustainability, and has helped combat issues like climate change, water pollution, crown-of-thorn outbreaks, clearing of forests and plastic pollution.

Guests will be kept updated on the impact of their contribution to preserving one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

THE MORRIS FAMILY
The Northern Escape Collection was crafted by Australian family business the Morris Group. The Morris family is passionate about contributing to sustainable economies in Australia and allowing travellers to experience the unique natural beauty of Northern Australia in its purest form.

With this vision in mind, Chris Morris curated the Northern Escape Collection and brought his daughter Hayley on-board to help design unique experiences that tread lightly on the planet and create meaningful memories.

Chris, together with Hayley and the family, run the Morris Group which has diverse interests spanning the tourism, hospitality, agriculture, food, technology and aviation industries in Australia and the UK and is parent to charitable fund, Morris Family Foundation.

MOUNT MULLIGAN
Located 150kms north-west of Cairns, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers luxury outback accommodation on a secluded 28,000-hectare heritage property in remote Far North Queensland.

Guests staying at Mt Mulligan Lodge will be able to experience the spirit of the North Queensland back-country through a captivating landscape with indigenous significance dating back 37,000 years.

The expansive property bears the marks of the historic gold and coal rush and in its current operation, as a working cattle station, the pastoral history of Australia.

Iconic historical sites on the property include the old Mount Mulligan township, cemetery and coal mine, Tyrconnell gold mine, the old Cobb & Co staging posts and crossing, Lizzie Redmond mine shaft and the General Grant mine.

The majestic Mount Mulligan dominates the surrounding landscape; the conglomerate and sandstone tabletop mountain boasts a spectacular 18 kilometre escarpment that towers over the surrounding Australian eucalyptus woodlands.

Mt Mulligan Lodge lies beneath this undiscovered landmark with views overlooking a sparkling weir and is an all-inclusive luxury property accessible via a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight from Cairns or a 2.5-hour 4WD adventure from Cairns.

CLIMATE
From April to October the climate at Mt Mulligan offers dry, warm days and cooler evenings. The winter months of June to August see temperatures during the day between 25 – 28 degrees Celsius and overnight lows between 13 – 15 degrees Celsius.

From April to May and September to October guests can expect warmer temperatures, hovering around 30 degrees Celsius. Remember that during the wet season (November to March) there is the chance of rainfall and humidity. The Lodge has a seasonal closure from the 27th January and re-opens 2nd March 2020.

WHAT TO BRING
Whilst the Lodge and surrounds are designed to provide the ultimate in outback luxury, the day-to-day activities are designed to offer an authentic outback experience.

Guests are encouraged to bring relaxed, casual wear for during the day. Light, loose clothing including trousers, closed shoes and hiking boots are recommended if you intend to participate in hikes, fishing and other outdoor activities. Relaxed evening wear for dinner at the lodge is also encouraged.

During the winter months you will need suitable warm clothes for night time and early mornings. Make sure you pack your swimwear to enjoy the infinity pool, the weir and the various creeks around the property.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
The remote nature of Mount Mulligan makes it a dream holiday destination. However due to the accessibility of the property and the experiences it offers we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance prior to travelling.

Please take the time to review your insurance policy to ensure you are covered in the unlikely event your travel plans are disrupted due to extreme weather conditions or acts of god.

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.

OUTBACK SUITE
The lodge accommodates just 20 guests in spacious guest retreats that complement the landscape and offer a luxurious and charming take on pastoral living. The Outback Suite, with its adjoining lounge room, is ideal for those looking for additional space to unwind in.

The lounge is spacious, with a cosy wood-burning fire place, buttery tan leather furniture, and private deck with rounded outdoor dining table offering captivating views of the sparkling weir and the imposing ridges of Mount Mulligan.

The spacious Outback Suite is contemporary and luxurious; yet retains a raw external charm with its spotted gum timber cladding, pitched cathedral ceiling and deep verandah.

Inside, the earthy-tones of the fine linen, sisal rug, and dark green wall panelling give a rich sense of place, mirroring the colours found in the outback environment outside. With its dark grey natural stone tiles and bronze fittings, the ensuite bathroom is both luxurious and calming.

On your private verandah, a corrugated iron water tank has been re-purposed as a deep outdoor bath, orientated to capture uninterrupted views of the Australian outback.

EAT & DRINK
Mt Mulligan Lodge offers a light, contemporary and daily-changing menu that showcases a bounty of locally-sourced, caught and freshly-grown seasonal fare.

The menu puts a flavoursome twist on outback living, featuring a tasting plate of kangaroo tataki, miso cream, tea-soaked egg, wasabi granola and hearty mains such as grass-fed Bushy Creek beef, charred peppers, manzanilla olive, lemon myrtle, smoked chimichurri.

Each meal will inspire and delight with tales of local provenance. The cellar has been crafted to ensure harmony between cuisine, climate and environment featuring iconic and boutique wines from Australia’s renowned wine regions.

BREAKFAST
The Mt Mulligan breakfast is a quintessential à la carte menu starting at 8am; guests can make their way at leisure to the main pavilion and fuel up for the day’s adventure.

LUNCH
Lunch is an à la carte celebration of locally sourced, seasonal produce, accompanied by the Mt Mulligan beverage selection. The menu is tailored to suit individual food preferences. Alternatively, you can request a gourmet picnic hamper and dine al fresco in the bush.

DINNER
Each evening dinner will be a relaxed yet indulgent affair with produce showcasing the incredible offering of the Atherton Tablelands and the menu putting a twist on outback-living.

BAR
Included in your stay are a selection of quality Australian wines, beers, soft drinks and house spirits. The Main Pavilion bar is open throughout the day to enjoy poolside cocktails, with a vista of majestic Mount Mulligan.

The cellar beverage list features Australian favourites as well as some beautiful wines from around the world.

DINING UNDER THE STARS
Our signature experience ‘Dining Under the Stars’ is a must do for any guests celebrating a special occasion in the outback. An intimate seven course degustation dinner is served on the edge of the weir under a blanket of flickering stars and in the shadow of lofty Mount Mulligan. The menu puts a flavoursome twist on outback living and is paired to Sommelier chosen wines from our reserve wine list.

LISA MAHAR – THE CHEF
After working her way from apprentice to Executive Chef in the Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm Restaurants in Tasmania, Lisa Mahar, Executive Chef at Mt Mulligan Lodge, headed north to Noosa six years ago to chase the sun and cultivate new inspiration and ideas.

After not long she found herself working alongside Executive Chef Paul Leete at Sails, one of Noosa’s most iconic waterfront restaurants. As she gained incredible experience and knowledge through her time at Sails, Lisa then found herself presented with numerous options.

She moved to Makepeace Island in Noosa and since has had no shortage of creative influence cooking alongside chefs including Sat Bains, George Calombaris, Matt Stone, Jo Barrett, David Pugh, Travis McAuley and Alastair McLeod, to name a few.

Lisa spent years 2016-2020 working for owners Richard Branson, Brett Godfrey and Radek Sali on Makepeace Island. Aside from all this incredible experience, Lisa is most passionate about working with local, whole, ethically produced and organic foods.

So true to her passion for sustainable food sourcing, Lisa joined Noosa’s Slow Food Movement in 2018 with the intention to further contribute creating awareness of the connection between our food, farmers and moreover our land and our individual wellbeing.

OUTBACK EXPERIENCES
The activities at Mt Mulligan Lodge have been designed to make the most of the rugged outback territory and luxury lodge Queensland.

MT MULLIGAN OLD TOWNSHIP & COAL MINE TOUR
Now a ghost town, the remains of Mount Mulligan township are rich in history. Originally laid out in 1912 and abandoned in 1958, the once busy coal mining town now only consists of a cemetery, a single residence which was the former hospital, a chimney stack, and the electricity generator.

The Mount Mulligan coal mine opened in 1915 but is sadly the site of Queensland’s worst mining disaster which took 75 workers’ lives in 1921. The derelict remains of the township and mine are eerie yet visually arresting and give an insight into how coal mines operated during that era. Duration 2 hours, 30 minutes.

TYRCONNELL GOLD MINE
Wind back time and venture out on one of our most talked-about tours. Explore the once operational Tyrconnell Gold Mine, the most famous mine on the Hodgkinson goldfield. Much of the infrastructure remains untouched, allowing visitors to uncover the history and tenacious prospectors life at this captivating site.

The 10-head gold stamper and old industrial machinery are a sight to behold. This old thriving gold miners’ village and shaft hold many tales. Let’s take you back to the wild west era of this once flourishing outback town. Duration 3 hours.

THE LOOKOUT
There’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the Hodgkinson Valley as Mount Mulligan wakes and dominates the surrounding landscape of gently rolling hills.

Just a 10 to 15 minute ATV ride from the lodge, along the old railway tracks used for transporting coal from Mount Mulligan mine to Dimbulah, The Lookout is a great location to paint, photograph or enjoy a picnic from.

FLORA & FAUNA
The environment at Mount Mulligan supports a range of fauna and flora with agile wallabies often spotted around the lodge and frequent opportunities to sight rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras and noisy friar birds to name a few species.

Each year more than 50 new species of plants, algae, lichens and fungi are discovered in Queensland. In 2017, a plant species was discovered on Mount Mulligan and it’s the only place it grows in the world. When discovering the property, take one of our Mount Mulligan Naturalist Charts and identify the plants and animals around you.

BARRAMUNDI FISHING
The weir at Mount Mulligan is home to Australian Barramundi. Cast your line from the weir’s banks or from a kayak. Mature Barramundi can be brought back to the lodge and prepared to your liking by the Chef.

SUNSET BAR
Head over to our rustic Sunset Bar and enjoy a sun-downer as you watch Mount Mulligan escarpment come alive as the sun sets. Only a short 2-minute electric buggy ride from the lodge; bring a camera, grab a drink, meet fellow travellers, enjoy the sunset and take in the magical scenery!

CATTLE MUSTERING
In its current operation, the Mount Mulligan property is a working cattle station named Mt Mulligan Station. The station runs approximately 1,800 Brahman-cross cattle on its 28,000-hectares. The cattle station has a strong presence with the bovine locals seen freely grazing around the property.

Cattle mustering is conducted on the property every quarter – should your stay dates coincide with muster dates, you have the opportunity to witness an Australiam outback spectacle.

BRANCH LOOKOUT ATV TOUR
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, known as The Branch, to delight in a morning tea of freshly made treats. Duration 2 hours, 45 minutes.

PADDLE BOARDING
Mt Mulligan Lodge provides stand-up paddle boards so you can enjoy some light exercise whilst taking in the scenery on the weir. You might even be lucky enough to sight a platypus!

KAYAKING
Experience the beauty of the weir from a kayak! Gently paddling at your own pace, take-in the scenery and silence of the outback. Alternatively, pack a fishing rod and ‘yak angle’ for some Barramundi from the comforts of your kayak.

ADVENTURE HELICOPTER FLIGHT
Take an adventure helicopter flight over the star of the show Mount Mulligan (Ngarrabullgan). Best seen from the sky, nothing quite prepares you for the scale and grandeur of this ancient mountain that’s embedded with cultural significance dating back 37,000 years.

A natural wonder of the outback, the 18km-long conglomerate, and sandstone escarpment is 10 times larger than Uluru (Ayers Rock) and some believe it is the birthplace of the Rainbow Serpent, creator of the world in indigenous mythology.

FOR THE TWITCHERS
Birdwatchers are spoilt for choice at Mount Mulligan with over 126 species of birds being recorded at the property. Many of the species are best observed at dawn, with the help of a Field Guide and a pair of binoculars, when they charm guests with their charismatic and colourful physiques and beautiful song.

The birding spectacle showcases pied currawong, rainbow lorikeets, laughing kookaburras, noisy friarbirds and azure kingfishers, just to name a few.

ATV OUTBACK TRAIL ADVENTURE
Don goggles and a face mask, jump in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and roar away from the lodge along a tawny, dry and rutted track on an exhilarating private ATV adventure.

Red dust flies as you zoom along the property’s extensive outback dirt trails and fence lines, past free-roaming brahman cattle and wild brumbies, through iron bark and river gum forests and over dried up ravines.

Churn through cattle yards and bushland before arriving at a shady spot by the Hodgkinson River for a thirst-quenching drink.

MULLIGAN HILL SUNSET
Mulligan Hill has an expansive vantage of the imposing sandstone mountain that gives the lodge its name, the cinematically rugged landscape, Lake Geraldine below and the abandoned mining township of Mount Mulligan.

As the sky glows like an ember at sunset and the ridges of the escarpment come alive, finish the day in solitude with a gourmet cheeseboard and a chilled sundowner … or two.

GUIDED NATURE WALK
Set off on foot on a guided nature walk around the Mount Mulligan weir. The weir is a refuge for an array of native wildlife including bounding agile wallabies, Freshwater Turtles and many bird species. The Field Guide-led walk amidst the beautiful Australian bushland takes a little over an hour.

GORGE-OUS SUNRISE HIKE
Discover this vast territory by foot on a hike to Mount Mulligan Gorge at sunrise. Not for the faint of heart, this hike takes you scrambling up and down boulders bound by the towering escarpment and through lush vegetation to a picturesque gorge. A refreshing waterhole beckons you to take a dip as a reward for your efforts.

CELESTIAL DREAMS
As darkness falls, the outback sky turns a black velvet and a star-speckled blanket appears over the remote landscape. Our Celestial Dreams experience takes place just after sunset and takes guests on a celestial appreciation tour through the southern night sky.

Let’s float up into the Milky Way and get lost in the varying constellations, stars, and planets seen through the eyes of Indigenous and Greek mythologies. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the galaxy above using our resident telescope and a Mount Mulligan Night Sky Map whilst sipping on an aperitif.

Rooms: 8

Price: from 1.116 EUR per night

Source: www.mountmulligan.com