Mt Mulligan and the Queensland Outback
(19 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Leslie Nelson
Overland Park, KS
Luxury and Ultra Luxury Travel Agent Specialist
With a wealth of experience spanning the entire spectrum of travel, I now specialize in curating the ultimate luxury and ultra-luxury experiences. Need a private jet, a lavish villa, or a majestic yacht? Consider it done.
Just retired after...
With a wealth of experience spanning the entire spectrum of travel, I now specialize in curating the ultimate luxury and ultra-luxury experiences. Need a private jet, a lavish villa, or a majestic yacht? Consider it done.
Just retired after decades of hard work? How about a globe-trotting adventure on a private jet, or a sun-soaked summer in a Tuscan villa with your family and friends streaming in and out?
In need of a break from the grind? Imagine a week of rejuvenation at a serene yoga retreat in the Himalayas or unwinding at what I consider the best day spa in the world, right in Dubai.
In my process I take the time to understand your unique preferences and craft personalized itineraries that go beyond your wildest dreams. My mantra? Everything’s possible as long as it’s legal, ethical, and kind. Let’s create something extraordinary together.
Can Be Reached At
1-913-689-0549
Bathroom, Mt Mulligan Lodge
Part 2 of my incredible Tropical North Queensland Tour. We sadly had to leave Silky Oaks after just two nights. Such is the life of a travel agent. We're never given enough to actually just chill and enjoy where we are. I know, woe is me.
That rainy morning, we headed just outside the resort property to a clearing and our helicopter. Because I was the largest of my group, I was seated in the front, next to the pilot. Victory for being overweight! LOL. I'd never been on a helicopter before and was hesitant about motion sickness. Oh contraire, mon frère! I didn't have the least problem and will forever feel robbed when that ISN'T my primary mode of transport.
Going from the rainforest to the outback from the air means we were able to see the weather change from rainy, to cloudy to sunny to INCREDIBLE. As we neared our destination, an escarpment (think Uluru/Ayers Rock) neared. Our helicopter pilot, being awesome, did a fly-by and we were able to see it up close. This is an opportunity absolutely not to be missed!
This time we were able to land right across from the main lodge. This area is most definitely open and flat!
Mt Mulligan is new to the Luxury Lodges of Australia family. It's not well-known, yet. Do yourself a favor and be the first among your friends to visit. It's worth the time, effort and expense to get out there. There are just 10 suites. If you have mobility issues, request one closer to the lodge, although even the furthest isn't far. You also get a golf cart to take you around the property which is massive. It's on a cattle station, so yeah. Big. If you go on any of the property tours you are taken by 4-wheeler.
Here's a point of confusion I've never experienced at a hotel anywhere in the world. Upon our arrival they immediately had us meet with the chef. He asked us what we like, what food sensitivities we have, etc. So I'm easy, no food allergies and I like everything. One of my companions had loads of food sensitivities. She discussed that and the rest of us didn't have much to say. But here's the thing. They're not asking what you can and can't eat; they're asking what you WANT to eat! They do a grocery run (so to speak) a few times a week. This property is seriously remote. So I was fine, but two of my companions (including the one with the food issues) didn't like a lot, and had, oh, let's call it basic palates. One of them seriously would have preferred mac and cheese and chicky nuggy for every meal. So they weren't happy with the amazing food, and complained. A lot. Finally one of them said, that woman over there is having a salad. Can't I just have that? The chef had to let her know that that other guest is a vegetarian, and if he served that food to my companion, the other guest would have nothing to eat. The kitchen really stepped up and found dishes that could be made from dry or canned staples. My embarrassment was at an 11.
Another thing to be aware of this property, if you're a believer, is it is quite haunted. Mt Mulligan (the escarpment) has a fascinating and tragic history that ties in indigenous belief, modernism and development. In short, a lot of people died in a mine explosion that the indigenous people had warned them against. The gods who rule over the escarpment weren't happy that they were mining so far in. There were areas of the property where I was seriously creeped out. Thankfully it wasn't everywhere or all the time. But I remember having really weird dreams while staying there.
Use Mt Mulligan as an adventure escape. 3-4 nights is probably sufficient, giving you time to explore, learn the history, go on some adventures, and relax, star-gaze, etc.
Leaving there was again by helicopter. This time we flew to Cairns where we'd be catching our private flight to Lizard Island. And here's where we had one of those episodes that just happens sometimes. We were all on board the little plane (I DON'T love those), started up and ready to go, and there was some sort of a mechanical. We had to deboard and go back to the private jet waiting area. And we sat there for a couple hours. We were so overscheduled (again, don't ever travel with a travel agent), that we missed two of our first two activities at Lizard Island.
Aaand, more to follow on Lizard. Stay tuned!