At a Glance
Experience the best of Far North Queensland’s outback and ocean in comfort and style with this 8-day, all-inclusive getaway to two of Australia’s most luxurious lodges: Mt Mulligan and Orpheus Island. This one-of-a-kind package also includes luxury overnight rail travel onboard the iconic Spirit of Queensland and a private scenic helicopter flight between the two lodges.
Departing from Brisbane, set out on an overnight rail journey aboard the iconic Spirit of Queensland to Cairns, the gateway to tropical north Queensland. Upon arrival in Cairns, a private chauffeur will transfer you 150 kilometres north-west to the luxurious Mt Mulligan Lodge. Set upon 28,000 hectares of captivating and timeless Queensland back country, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers an escape from the everyday and a unique opportunity to experience life on a working cattle farm. ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Overnight aboard the Spirit of Queensland rail in a Railbed
- All meals: 7 x breakfast, 7 x lunch, 7 x dinner
- A selection of quality wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks
- Three nights at Mt Mulligan Lodge in an Outback Room (optional room upgrade at extra cost)
- Three nights at Orpheus Island Lodge in a South Room (optional room upgrade at extra cost)
- Scheduled helicopter transfer from Orpheus Island to Townsville Airport
- A daily outback experience – ATV adventure, sunset drinks, tour of historic Mt Mulligan township and coal mine or 4WD safari to Tyrconnell Gold Mine – plus unlimited use of paddle boards, kayaks, sky gazing telescope, electric buggy and light fishing gear
- A daily curated Orpheus experience – snorkelling, fishing, island cruise or nature based guided activity – plus unlimited use of motorised dinghies, paddle boards, kayaks, catamaran, snorkelling equipment and light fishing gear
- Private road transfer from Cairns Railway Station to Mt Mulligan Lodge
- Private helicopter transfer from Mt Mulligan Lodge to Orpheus Island
Itinerary
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Departing from Roma Street Station, Brisbane, in the afternoon, set out on Queensland’s ultimate overnight rail journey aboard the iconic Spirit of Queensland. Onboard the Spirit of Queensland, you’ll travel in style along Queensland’s stunning coastline. You’ll have your very own RailBed – a spacious seat by day and a lie-flat bed by night with all linen provided including sheets, duvet and pillow for your comfort. You’ll also have state-of-the-art in-seat entertainment including a large screen and on-demand movies, music and audio books as well as a reading light, footrest, drink holder and organic amenities pack. Settle in and watch the scenery go by or make the most of your state-of-the-art in-seat entertainment including large screen and on-demand movies, music and audio books. Or, venture down to the club car to purchase a light snack or refreshment between your meals. |
Spirit of Queensland
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You will arrive into Cairns Railway Station at 4:30pm, where you will be greeted by a private chauffeur. Settle into a comfortable and spacious 4WD and enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour scenic drive out to the luxurious Mt Mulligan Lodge. Set upon 28,000 hectares of captivating and timeless Queensland back country, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers an escape from the everyday and a unique opportunity to experience life on a working cattle farm. During your three-night stay, you’ll enjoy unique daily experiences designed to make the most of the rugged outback territory: guided tours of the goldfields including a sighting of Australia’s oldest gold crusher at Tyrconnell gold mine, exploration of the historic Mount Mulligan coal mine and abandoned township, ATV adventures discovering the beauty and history of the region, hikes around the southern face of Mount Mulligan, sunset drinks overlooking the escarpment, wildlife spotting, stargazing, Barramundi fishing and more. You’ll also enjoy unlimited use of paddleboards, kayaks, light fishing gear, electric buggies and a sky gazing telescope. |
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Throughout your stay, you’ll experience the very best in outback dining. Mt Mulligan Lodge offers a light, contemporary and daily changing menu that showcases a bounty of locally sourced, caught and freshly grown seasonal fare. Each meal – from kangaroo tataki to Bushy Creek beef – will inspire and delight with tales of local provenance. Included in your stay are a selection of quality Australian wines, beers, soft drinks and house spirits. |
Mt Mulligan LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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In the morning, say goodbye to Mt Mulligan Lodge and board your private helicopter charter. From above, you’ll enjoy the ultimate bird’s eye view of Mt Mulligan, the 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest and the lush Atherton Tablelands. After a quick fuel stop in Cairns, fly a further 90-minutes over picturesque coral studded sea to Orpheus Island, your gateway to the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef. During your three-night stay at Orpheus Island, you’ll be one of just 28 indulged guests in a secluded island paradise. You can swim, snorkel or dive among more than 1,000 species of fish, or take the helm of a motorised dingy complete with gourmet picnic hamper to discover the many unspoiled coves and reefs that fringe the island. If you’d prefer to take it easy, relax and succumb to a unique Indigenous-inspired treatment at the Gwandalan day spa. |
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Upon arrival at Orpheus, you’ll meet with the Executive Chef to discuss your taste preferences and dietary requirements. You’ll subsequently be treated to ‘chef hatted’ restaurant meals at every course: the freshest seasonal produce sourced from the Island’s own vegetable garden and from surrounding regions. Fresh prawns, Moreton Bay bugs and tropical rock lobsters are just some of the local delicacies sourced from fisherman or suppliers. Included in your stay are a selection of quality Australian wines, beers, soft drinks and house spirits.
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Orpheus Island LodgeBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Wake up slowly and make the most of your last day in paradise. At 2:30pm, you’ll board a scheduled helicopter charter back to the mainland. Take one last lingering look at the sparkling coral studded sea before touching down at Townsville Airport to commence your onward journey. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available. Surcharge applies to festival/holiday season.
More Info
The starting point is Roma Street Station, Brisbane
The finish point is Townsville Airport
Mt Mulligan
From April to October the climate at Mt Mulligan offers dry, warm days and cooler evenings. The winter months of June to August see temperatures during the day between 25 – 28 degrees Celsius and overnight lows between 13 – 15 degrees Celsius. From April to May and September to October guests can expect warmer temperatures, hovering around 30 degrees Celsius. Remember that during the wet season (November to March) there is the chance of rainfall and humidity.
The Lodge has a seasonal closure from the late January to March.
Orpheus Island Lodge
Orpheus has a warm tropical climate with an average temperature of 27°C (80°F) year-round. The water temperature varies between 21°C (69°F) in the winter and 29°C (84°F) in the summer. During the cooler, drier months from May to October, when the south easterly winds blow, the weather is pleasantly warm with reduced humidity and plenty of sunshine.
Remember that during the wet season (November to April) there is a chance of rain during these times.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
