We’d heard lots of good reports about Paronella Park (just up from our Liverpool Creek camp) from lots of people and it was rated as the number one must do in Qld on an RACQ list so we decided to have a look. The entry fee was a bit steep for kiddies at $17 on top of the $34 for adults but at least we only had to pay for two kids. Having said that the entry fee included a night at the caravan park, a day tour and a night tour so that made it better despite the van spot being wet and boggy.
Paronella Park was built by Jose Paronella in the 1930’s mostly by himself. He was a Spanish migrant (qualified as a baker not a builder) who had always dreamed of owning his own castle, so he saved enough money to buy some land and built himself one.
It was sort of an early day theme park with a picnic and swimming area by a waterfall…
…a ballroom with picture theatre - he also built himself a hydro electricity plant and was the only property for miles that had electricity so he used to show movies and newsreels. People would pay to watch.
There were also tennis courts…
…and tea rooms
The scenery around the property is quite spectacular. It is amazing to think that he did most of the work by himself, much of it involving lugging sand and water up these stairs (which he also built).
He also planted most of the trees and plants himself. Kauri Avenue - great foresight knowing that these trees take many years to grow.
The kids really enjoyed feeding the fish and turtles.
The whole place had a pretty special feel about it – even more so at night.
Unfortunately Jose took some shortcuts on some of his building methods (eg adding too much sand to the concrete to make it go further) so many of the buildings are falling apart. It does make the place look much older than it is though, like a lost city in the jungle.
After being very popular in the 1930’s and 40’s, after Jose’s death and a few natural disasters the property was left to be overgrown by the rainforest until the current owners bought it in the 90’s and started to resurrect it.
On Tuesday morning we headed into Innisfail to look around and restock on supplies. Side note – the ramp out of Woolies is great for riding the shopping trolley down. Not too steep. Luke thought it was fantastic and wants to stop in there on the way back down the coast.
With the weather still ordinary we decided to head inland from Innisfail up into the Atherton Tableland and time it to be at Mareeba for the rodeo next weekend.
Tuesday night we stayed at Henrietta Creek. Good spot surrounded by rainforest. Reminded us of Tassie.
Steep and slow drive up the range on Wednesday morning (still raining). The waterfall circuit near Millaa Millaa was worth the drive. Ellinjaa Falls, Zillie Falls…
…and Millaa Millaa Falls (good for a swim) in particular, very beautiful.
On the way north we checked out Malanda…
…and Atherton, both nice little towns. We camped at a great free spot in Kairi near Lake Tinaroo. Had a shower and lots of grass for the kids to run around.
Despite the continuing ordinary weather on Thursday (it looks ok in this photo but sunshine was rare), we had a great day at Lake Tinaroo.
Free hot showers at the day use area had us all feeling great and we then spent the day playing in the park…
…and ripsticking along the smooth pathways. We also enjoyed toasted sandwiches on the BBQ’s. Lake Tinaroo has some fantastic recreational facilities that really encourage people to get out and be active. Would be great at Lake Samsonvale and/or Kurwongbah.
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