Paronella Park

Everyone has a dream. José Paronella's dream became a reality. On five hectares beside Mena Creek Falls the immigrant from Spain built his castle, a picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees. He even harnessed the waterfall for his electricity. In 1933, Paronella installed a hydro-electric plant, the first (privately owned) in Queensland, on the waterfall in the park. He used it to supply power for the park's lighting, pumps, refrigeration and cinema. The town of Mena Creek also used some of the electricity. Paronella Park opened to the public in 1935. In 1948, José died of cancer. Since his death, a fire, a cyclone and several floods have badly damaged the park and the buildings. The park changed owners several times until, in 1993, it was bought by the present owners, Mark and Judy Evans. They formulated a plan to put the Park back on the map. Small restoration projects have been undertaken, pathways uncovered and improved, and the Museum, an ongoing project, is continuously being enhanced. Today Paronella is one of the major tourist attractions in Queensland.

view from the waterfalls over the castle and picnic area

the picnic area

Mena Creek Waterfalls

plenty of fish in the water (and a turtle)