Jason Lerace 
Courtney Atkinson 
James Vodicka This splendid outback lodge is framed by the 18-kilometre-long escarpment of Mount Mulligan, a wall of red sandstone that’s five times larger than Uluru. It’s 160km northwest of Cairns, on 28,000 hectares that is partly a cattle station for breeding Brahman cows. (Think Akubras and R.M. Williams boots.) While the eco-certified lodge is an elegant, polished contemporary build by Melbourne-based architect David Dubois, it’s also a gateway to the rugged former goldfields of the region.
The rooms
Mt Mulligan Lodge accommodates 28 guests in 14 spacious suites with wide verandahs facing the escarpment and the waterlily-covered freshwater weir, where guests can ‘barrayak’ (fish for barramundi.) The rooms have pantries (stocked with goodies and wine), large bathrooms, stylish sitting rooms, king-sized beds, timber floors and timber-louvered walls for air flow – a modern twist on pastoral living. On each verandah, there’s a daybed and a curved, corrugated iron bathtub. Guests have their own gold EV golf carts for dashing around the property.
Food & drink
Mt Mulligan Lodge offers an all-inclusive fine dining experience, including both à la carte and degustation menus. Guests dine in the main pavilion, which is open on all sides and enjoys sublime views of the mountain. On clear nights, dining outdoors under a blanket of stars is a real thrill. There’s a nose-to-tail philosophy in the kitchen, with butchery done in-house, and chefs work with local suppliers from the rich Atherton tablelands and FNQ coast to source organic, biodynamic and sustainably farmed produce and products. Each evening, guests gather by the fire pit or in a charming, corrugated iron bar perched on a hill, where the view of the sunsets is spectacular.
The service
Delightful – super helpful and intuitive. There’s a genuine enthusiasm for what they’re doing, whether it’s creating mocktails from local botanicals or pointing out the stars. Shout out to the rangers who make the adventure experiences so much fun.
Ideal for: Families, weddings and closet cowboys and cowgirls
Why we love it:
- The views. Each of the suites at this luxury retreat offers panoramic vistas of Mount Mulligan.
- Al fresco bathing. There are corrugated iron bathtubs on suite verandahs – and curious kookaburras that come to visit.
- The adventures. There’s a range of bush-centric experiences, such as self-drive ATVs to the goldfields.
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