Mt. Mulligan Lodge

A working cattle ranch in the far north of Queensland seems an unlikely location for a luxury retreat, but this eight-room lodge manages to take everything iconic and adventurous about its Australian outback setting and give it a stylish twist. A three-hour drive northwest of Cairns, the intimate property is dwarfed by the 28,000-hectare spread of sun-scorched land it calls home, not to mention the towering red-sandstone escarpment of Ngarrabullgan (Mount Mulligan). Melbournebased architects Dubois designed the four accommodation pavilion s — each housing just one room and suite — to reference their surrounds, layering rustic elements like stone and corrugated iron with soft leather and polished reclaimed timber. Also on hand: outdoor soaking tubs fashioned from rainwater tanks that overlook a eucalyptus-fringed reservoir. Golf buggies are at the ready to zip guests to the main lodge building, where wine is poured around an open fire and chef Amanda Healey creates hearty meals from local produce and ingredients. But it’s the remote and rugged landscape that’s the real draw, with diversions ranging from kayaking or barramundi fishing in the reservoir to exploring the property by 4WD. If your timing is right, you can even take part in that most quintessential of outback activities — a cattle roundup. — 61-7/4777-7377; mountmulligan.com; doubles from US$1,115