Reef & Outback
This adventure starts with the calm of the Coral Sea and ends among the breeze-ruffled gum trees and timecarved gullies of outback Queensland. And though the reef and red earth are standouts in Queensland’s travel portfolio, it’s rare the disparate destinations are combined on a single trip. Until now.
The indulgent six-night Reef & Outback itinerary by Northern Escape
Collection (northernescape.com.au) begins with a helicopter flight across the water from Townsville to the first stop, Orpheus Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
The island resort caters to just 28 guests and while there’s plenty to do – from walking to the isle’s highest point to a leisurely snorkel through vibrant coral gardens – relaxation is just as worthy a pursuit. When even a handful of other guests feels like a crowd, ask the staff to pack you a picnic and take a dinghy to a secluded beach for your own Robinson Crusoe experience.
Three days later, wake from your tropical dream and trade white sand for ancient earth at Mt. Mulligan Lodge, where the scenery is rugged but roughing it is not on the agenda. Located 150 kilometres west of Cairns, it’s one of the newest luxury lodges of Australia – a collection of just 10 rooms and suites set on the banks of a weir on a 28,000 hectare property.
Explore the timeless landscape steeped in Indigenous history on a self-guided nature walk or head to the weir to cast a line and catch your own barramundi, to be prepared by the chef back at the lodge.
Just don’t forget to set aside some time to lounge poolside beneath the broad blue sky by day or take in the splendour of Mother Nature from the comfort of your deep outdoor bath as the setting sun bathes the sandstone mountains in its soft golden glow.