Joseph Paronella had a dream to build a castle and he built Paronella Park on 13 acres beside Mena Creek Falls including the castle, tennis courts, ballroom, tunnels, bridges and a swimming lake. He also added an amazing range of 7000 tropical plants and trees. He used old sugar cane rail tracks as reinforcement in the concrete and as time has moved on they have become rusted and the metal expanding has caused concrete cancer and fractures so reinforcing and restoring is the name of progress at Paronella Park.
The day tour takes in the history of the place, story of Joseph Paronella and his family and the dedication to the task to actually accomplish this and the subsequent heartbreak when in 1946 a huge flood demolished half of this work. This amazing man created a hydro electric scheme to supply electricity to the park long before electricity was available in Mena Creek.
The tour goes on to discuss subsequent owners after the Paronella family eventually had to sell the property due in the main by deaths in the family leaving only a daughter to try to carry on. It is a revelation that one mans vision and hard work could carve this out from the tropical jungle.
I would recommend anyone to visit Paronella Park but to book in advance and secure an overnight stay in their caravan park as the cost is included in the entry price of $38 per person and $35 for pensioners.
Went on the night tour and it was more relaxed with more time on each illuminated feature, all in all the day pictures lacked the brightness of the sunlight and the night ones really needed a better camera.
Met up with another Grey Nomad here, Chris gypsy rover and spent time with her and husband John and son Cameron having a sausage sizzle prior to our 8.30pm appointment with the night tour. They are going north in their motor home up to Cooktown. My plans have changed with the inclement weather, Babinda and the Boulders will be here next year when I return and I will use the rainy days to drive back to Townsville and the 5 campsites near there. I will be ready for my proposed trip to Magnetic Island when the weather clears. John
.
Happywanderer said
11:15 PM Aug 22, 2012
My gosh John, I want to go there after reading your story and looking at the photos. What a fantastic place.. Will add it to my list and try for next year. I think its time Cindy gave you a section all of your own and popped all you fantastic stlories and photos over to it so they will always be in the same place to find at any time.
Beth54 said
11:17 PM Aug 22, 2012
I'm pleased to see you finally got there John. It's still amazing, even though it's many years since I visited.
Well worth the trip Marj.
Travel Bug said
11:44 PM Aug 22, 2012
Hi John. Wow!! Even more amazing photos and interesting travelogue!!
Paronella Park is very high on my list of "must see" places. Can't wait to get there. I was originally planning on being there this year but owing to an accident I had prior to Easter, my travel plans have been on hold for a while.
Meanwhile...I am loving all of your travel info and pics. Please keep them coming.
Cheers. Pam.
fireheart said
12:33 AM Aug 23, 2012
WOW John, that is fantastic.I love your posts and pics. What a wonderful rich history to places that we have never heard of. Great stuff, keep em coming.
Thank you.
Sharon.
Sheba said
01:19 AM Aug 23, 2012
Another great contribution to the Forum John. Thank you.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Dougwe said
01:21 AM Aug 23, 2012
You have done it again John.
jules47 said
04:08 AM Aug 23, 2012
Glad you enjoyed it John, and met up with Chris and her family - enjoy Townsville - again!! We are in Longreach - took a paddleboat cruise this evening, which included beef stew, apple pie, and damper with billy tea - bush poetry and good company - good value!
gypsy rover said
04:13 AM Aug 23, 2012
It was great to spend time with you at Paronella John. We last visited Paronella about ten years ago and unfortunately the old buildings have detiorated considerably since then despite the money and work being poured in by the Evans family. However, they are valiently trying to keep Jose Paronella's dream alive and have great plans for continued restoration. It is an amazing place and I reiterate John's recommendation that anyone in the area visit Paronella, you certainly wouldn't regret it. Love the photos John.
cheers
chris
jules47 said
04:20 AM Aug 23, 2012
Glad you enjoyed it Chris - and that you met up with John again - enjoy your holiday.
bill12 said
12:30 PM Aug 23, 2012
Great pics, John. Give me a ring when you are coming to Mag .is. See you soon, Bill
kandagal said
05:07 PM Aug 23, 2012
I had the luck to visit Paronella Park in the early fifties (when I was a young teenager). It was in fine condition then as the original owner was still alive. We had a lovely day there
Cupie said
08:29 PM Aug 24, 2012
We were there in 2001 & stayed overnight in a very rough caravan parking area on the northern side of the property.
It was fantastic place & a great story. Must have been even greater in its heyday.
I have a video of the place but there is no audio as I had switched off the microphone at the last use of the camera because of strong winds. Buggar.
I recall reading about signifigant damage during a cyclone in the past few years & lots of volunteers helping with the restoration.
I loved the avenue of large trees ... were they Kauris .. that look like giant spotted gums?
yeoeleven said
09:46 PM Aug 24, 2012
Yes Cupie the stands of trees are Kauris and the caravan park is now good but tight for large rigs.
John
Duh said
04:41 AM Aug 25, 2012
Great shots John,
One place we haven't been.
We just got back from Pemberton, we stayed at Big Brook Arboretum camp ($5 pp per night, long drop toilet only) we were the only ones there in addition to the camp hosts in their carvavan. This was on of the places as you know you mentioned you stayed at in your blog. Rained a bit but glad we only stayed one night as it poured the next day (horizontal rain - wind driven) but spent the next two nights free at the Glouster Motel in a spa suite on a gift voucher (birthday gift) which was most enjoyable.
Met up for coffee with Barb And Daryl (Buster's 12th birthday) and friends who were on their way through Pemberton so had a pleasant hour with them before they moved on to Quinninup (spelling).
ken thomas said
02:13 AM Aug 26, 2012
Also stayed at Paranella park and stayed the night, would highly recommend it Ken
Joseph Paronella had a dream to build a castle and he built Paronella Park on 13 acres beside Mena Creek Falls including the castle, tennis courts, ballroom, tunnels, bridges and a swimming lake. He also added an amazing range of 7000 tropical plants and trees. He used old sugar cane rail tracks as reinforcement in the concrete and as time has moved on they have become rusted and the metal expanding has caused concrete cancer and fractures so reinforcing and restoring is the name of progress at Paronella Park.
The day tour takes in the history of the place, story of Joseph Paronella and his family and the dedication to the task to actually accomplish this and the subsequent heartbreak when in 1946 a huge flood demolished half of this work. This amazing man created a hydro electric scheme to supply electricity to the park long before electricity was available in Mena Creek.
The tour goes on to discuss subsequent owners after the Paronella family eventually had to sell the property due in the main by deaths in the family leaving only a daughter to try to carry on. It is a revelation that one mans vision and hard work could carve this out from the tropical jungle.
I would recommend anyone to visit Paronella Park but to book in advance and secure an overnight stay in their caravan park as the cost is included in the entry price of $38 per person and $35 for pensioners.
Went on the night tour and it was more relaxed with more time on each illuminated feature, all in all the day pictures lacked the brightness of the sunlight and the night ones really needed a better camera.
Met up with another Grey Nomad here, Chris gypsy rover and spent time with her and husband John and son Cameron having a sausage sizzle prior to our 8.30pm appointment with the night tour. They are going north in their motor home up to Cooktown. My plans have changed with the inclement weather, Babinda and the Boulders will be here next year when I return and I will use the rainy days to drive back to Townsville and the 5 campsites near there. I will be ready for my proposed trip to Magnetic Island when the weather clears. John
.
I think its time Cindy gave you a section all of your own and popped all you fantastic stlories and photos over to it so they will always be in the same place to find at any time.
I'm pleased to see you finally got there John. It's still amazing, even though it's many years since I visited.
Well worth the trip Marj.
Hi John. Wow!! Even more amazing photos and interesting travelogue!!
Paronella Park is very high on my list of "must see" places. Can't wait to get there.
I was originally planning on being there this year but owing to an accident I had prior to Easter, my travel plans have been on hold for a while.
Meanwhile...I am loving all of your travel info and pics. Please keep them coming.
Cheers. Pam.
WOW John, that is fantastic.I love your posts and pics. What a wonderful rich history to places that we have never heard of. Great stuff, keep em coming.
Thank you.
Sharon.
Another great contribution to the Forum John. Thank you.
Cheers,
Sheba.
We were there in 2001 & stayed overnight in a very rough caravan parking area on the northern side of the property.
It was fantastic place & a great story. Must have been even greater in its heyday.
I have a video of the place but there is no audio as I had switched off the microphone at the last use of the camera because of strong winds. Buggar.
I recall reading about signifigant damage during a cyclone in the past few years & lots of volunteers helping with the restoration.
I loved the avenue of large trees ... were they Kauris .. that look like giant spotted gums?
Yes Cupie the stands of trees are Kauris and the caravan park is now good but tight for large rigs.
John
One place we haven't been.
We just got back from Pemberton, we stayed at Big Brook Arboretum camp ($5 pp per night, long drop toilet only) we were the only ones there in addition to the camp hosts in their carvavan. This was on of the places as you know you mentioned you stayed at in your blog. Rained a bit but glad we only stayed one night as it poured the next day (horizontal rain - wind driven) but spent the next two nights free at the Glouster Motel in a spa suite on a gift voucher (birthday gift) which was most enjoyable.
Met up for coffee with Barb And Daryl (Buster's 12th birthday) and friends who were on their way through Pemberton so had a pleasant hour with them before they moved on to Quinninup (spelling).
Ken