Day 66 Monday 21st August

I would have to describe today and tonight as a little bit “magical”. We drove a short distance from Cairns, though Innisfail to a place called Mena Creek where Paronella Park is located. During our travels many, many people we met had said that a visit to this place was a must if we were anywhere in the vicinity. After a day tour and night tour we completely understand why. Paronella Park was the dream and vision of Jose Paronella. He came to Australia from Spain in 1913. He worked hard for 11 years and made money buying and selling sugar cane farms. He had planned to build a splendid life for himself and his fiancée, Matilda but on his return to Spain he found Matilda had got sick of waiting and had married another. He decided to marry her younger sister, Margarita, instead. By 1929 they had returned to Australia and Jose started building the most amazing park in the rainforest alongside of the spectacular Mena Creek falls. He put in a hydro scheme, built numerous castles, a picture theatre and dance pavilion, swimming area, tennis courts, refreshment rooms, ice-cream kiosk etc. etc. and this was all ready and open for the public in 1935. Over the years, floods, cyclones fire and family deaths meant the park changed hands in 1977. In 1993 the current owners discovered this magical place in the over-grown forest and purchased it with the idea of bringing it back to life and preserving it for the future. We purchased our tickets which included staying at the caravan park behind the pub for free. Both tours were wonderful and we learnt so much as well as enjoying this incredible place. We would thoroughly recommend it to everyone too.










































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