Mount Mulligan

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track getaway, this remote luxury lodge, set within an expansive outback heritage property in Far North Queensland, is sure to do the trick. This site, which is currently a working cattle station, is home to the old Mount Mulligan township, coal and gold mines, as well as a cemetery.

The lodge sits in the shadows of the imposing Mount Mulligan, bounded by a dramatic landscape and enclosed with eucalyptus woodlands. Eight guest rooms, including three suites, can house up to 16 guests, and come with assigned private electric buggies for easy access around the property. Interiors are filled with natural furnishings, such as spotted gum timber cladding, while earthy colour schemes create soothing spaces. Timber-framed glass doors open up onto private decks, deep outdoor baths and utterly spectacular vistas.

The main lodge is where dining takes place, and chefs make use of local produce to create innovative dishes that can be enjoyed outside. In-room dining is also available, and if you plan on heading off on a midday adventure, a gourmet picnic hamper can be made up. Some of the activities and excursions on offer are tours of the mine and the township, cattle mustering at the nearby station and paddle boarding or kayaking on the river. Guests with little inclination to venture into the dusty outback can grab a spot by the infinity pool, with a glass of award-winning Australian wine in hand.