Mount Mulligan Lodge

The use of reclaimed timber complements the laid-back luxury aesthetic of the lodge. Raw elements and earthy tones pair-back perfectly to create a peaceful environment, where you can relax in quiet seclusion. Each Outback Pavilion is spacious and modern, styled with the ease of bush living to allow a cool breeze and the sounds of nature to float in. A repurposed corrugated iron water tank serves as an inviting outdoor bath, providing an idyllic spot to catch a glimpse of a shy wallaby grazing nearby.

Mt Mulligan Lodge plans to add two luxury safari-style Outback Tents in the coming months. “The simplicity of a glamping getaway provides guests the opportunity to enjoy a unique camping experience in nature without compromising on luxury,” says Hayley Morris, Executive Director of Northern Escape Collection. Entirely sustainable building materials are used, including high-grade canvas, 100% solar power and an eco-luxe bathroom that uses recycled water, providing the ideal balance of a real escape in nature and the comforts of a boutique lodge.

The Lodge has developed a long-term social and environmental strategy guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While ensuring no interruption to the guest’s experience, water tanks harvest rainwater to use as irrigation and smart design features encourage minimal air conditioning and heating usage. With initiatives such as neutralizing carbon emissions, removing single-use plastics and composting green waste, sustainability has become the default at Mt Mulligan Lodge.

Operating in regional Australia comes with a responsibility to protect and preserve the natural environment while benefiting local communities as a holistic approach to sustainability. Mount Mulligan Lodge sources organic, free-range, fair trade, biodynamic, and sustainably-farmed produce from suppliers in Far North Queensland to support local farmers and sustainable agriculture, “Life in the outback teaches us that resources are precious,” says Hayley Morris. “We learn to value and preserve what we have: land, water, food, people, culture and history.”

Wattle seed, lemon myrtle, kangaroo and grass-fed Bushy Creek beef are just some of the flavors you can expect to taste on the four-course dinner menu which puts a rustic but refined twist on outback living. “Guests enjoy locally-sourced, caught and foraged seasonal produce, incorporating native and bush foods and the exceptional produce of the verdant Atherton Tablelands and the pristine waters of the Coral Sea,” explains Morris. Dine alfresco or, for the perfect antidote to a day spent wandering, set off for a gourmet picnic at one of the many scenic spots on the property.

Waking up to a kookaburra’s laughing call will inspire you to set your own pace for the day ahead. Whether you seek adventure or a moment to relax in nature, tailored activities are offered to guests to enhance their outback experience. Passionate and experienced guides lead a tour of Tyrconnell goldmine and the nearby original Mount Mulligan township and coal mine while casting a line for barramundi and kayaking lets you explore the weir’s nature-filled banks. The entire landscape is yours to discover on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or choose to immerse yourself in the outback spirit by joining a guided nature walk to explore the ancient Indigenous wonder of the landscape surrounding Mount Mulligan.

Take the scenic route home with a 35-minute helicopter ride back to Cairns. A carbon offset alternative with the bonus of seeing Ngarrabullgen from the air. You may be surprised to realize that a few days at Mt Mulligan Lodge will seem like weeks away from reality, a feeling of outback magic that will linger long after the red dust has settled.