Mt Mulligan Lodge

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 2.5 hours. 

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 prospecting life at this captivating site. The 10-head gold stamper, the oldest operating in Australia, and industrial machinery from yesteryear are a sight to behold. The old thriving gold miners’ village and shaft at Tyrconnell hold many tales. Let’s take you back to this flourishing town’s heyday in the 1930s when these hills were filled with around 100 prospectors hoping to strike it rich and earning about 3 pounds a week. Duration 3 hours.

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, for some refreshments. Duration 2.5 hours.

If you are an early riser, there’s nothing quite like watching the sunrise over the Hodgkinson Valley as Mount Mulligan (Ngarrabullgan) wakes and dominates the surrounding landscape. Traverse through gently rolling hills on an ATV and witness when first light sparks the landscape in flamboyant red and orange. There’s a coffee stop at Geraldine lookout before finishing up with a spot of bird watching at Lake Geraldine.  Don’t forget to pack your binoculars. Duration 2.5 hours.

Spend a tranquil afternoon down on the banks of the Hodgkinson River at Mulligan’s Waterhole. Float downstream on a guided tube ride, watch the many bird species and soak up the serenity of this magical place.  Finish your swim with a refreshing drink on the sandy bank.

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!

Let one of our guides introduce you to the beauty of Mt Mulligan weir and its riparian flora and fauna species from a kayak! Take in the scenery and stillness of the bush and even pack a fishing rod to try your hand ‘yak angling’ for the elusive Barramundi.

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 Australian outback spectacle.

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.