Paronella Park. QLD. (The story of a Spaniards Dream).

Everyone has a dream (my was travelling full time). Jose Petronella's was to build a castle, he chose 13 acres beside Mena Creek Falls. He built his castle, picnic areas at the lakeside, tennis courts, tunnels & bridges all wrapped up in an amazing range of over 7000 tropical plants & trees. Jose lived nearby in Innisfail in 1913, Jose originated from Northern Spain. Paronella Park opened to the public in 1935.

The history of this place is amazing. We did the dream tour, The darkness falls tour, the hydro tour, the museum and stayed in the grounds for 2 nights! I totally loved this place.

Me.

The Ballroom. This could seat 300 guests or be used for a cinema.

The Castle. 

All built by a pastry chef who became a farmer.

Steve on the swing bridge built in 1988.

Glorious grounds.

The top of the Hydro.

Steve over the falls.

Lovely.

Mena Falls.

Mena Falls.

The Grand staircase with 47 steps was the first thing to be build in the park.

Mena Falls.

Amazing colours.

Mena Falls. 

Mena Falls.

The Darkness Falls Tour.

Teresa Falls - named after Jose daughter.

The tunnel of love with lots of Micro Bats. Built to save guests from walking around a hill to Teresa falls.

Kauri Avenue with the waterfall at the end. Jose knew he would never live long enough to see the Pines at this height - yet he still built it for others to see!

Kauri Pines avenue looking back to Mena waterfall.

Nice at Night.

Mena falls at night.

The Castle with light.

A de-light-full  Dream.

A crested Cockatoo at our camp.

Hydro Tour - Jose was about 30 years in front of the game by building North Queensland's first river driven, Hydro Electric Generator. Commissioned in 1933 & refurbished in 2009. Provides all the power for the park & more.

Flowing a lot faster today. 

A lot of rain over night and the water level is a lot higher. 

New & Old.

Stunning!

Turtles, Eels & fish all queuing for food. 

Teresa falls in day light.

A few facts>

> There are hundreds of concrete planters around the park and Jose moulded over 500 himself. 

> He had a massive ball of mirrors spun from the castle ceiling in the ballroom, to reflect a real dazzle with pink & Blue lights.

> The tennis courts were made from crushed termite mounds.

> Jose passed away in 1948.

> In 1977 the park was sold outside the family.

> In 1979 a fire swept through the Castle, leaving only the walls & turret remaining.

> In 1986 Cyclone Winifred tested the parks endurance.

> In 1993 Mark & Judy Evans (The currant owners) rediscovered the almost lost park.

> In 2006 Cyclone Larry & 2011 Cyclone Yasi tested the park again.