Our back yard! Paronella park!

Paronella park is the dream of Spanish immigrant, Jose Paronella. In 1929 Jose purchased five hectares along Mena creek and started to build his pleasure gardens and reception centre. Over the years, he built a Spanish inspired castle with a great ballroom, grand staircase, tea rooms, swimming pool and a museum. It was a labour of love and also hard work as every brick is hand made. Jose also designed the surrounding rain forest gardens and planted the majestic kauri avenue.

The buildings have been ravaged by fire, flood and cyclones over the years but the ruins remain a beautiful relic of Jose's dream. Today, Paronella Park is a place of peace and beauty. The present owners are lovingly restoring the park and open it to the public as well provide day  & evening tours.

 Paronella Park is 120 kms south of Cairns. Follow the "old" Bruce Highway after Innisfail toward Mena Creek.  The park is open every day from 7am until 7.30 pm. There are camping grounds plus cabins to rent if you wish to make a weekend of it. Admission price includes a 2 year pass, all tours plus one free night camping. Adults $43 or a family pass for $120.

Our back yard! Granite Gorge!

Granite Gorge nature park, located just out of Mareeba is well worth the visit. This delightful little camp is surrounded by a forest of eucalyptus trees and promises to be quiet, tranquil and nature at its best. The boulders at the gorge are a natural wonder formed billions of years ago by volcanic activity and offer panoramic views. These breath taking rocks stretch out for over a km with streams and swimming holes scattered throughout the area and several walking tracks to meander. For the animal lover, rock wallabies are plentiful and happy to be hand fed.

You can visit for a day trip or spend a few days of exploration and relaxation. The camp ground offers powered and non powered sites as well as cabins and safari tents to rent. There is a  coffee shop, communal camp kitchen or you can cook up a damper on your camp fire. The amenities include a laundry and are clean and functional.

Granite Gorge is located southwest of Mareeba, turn off the Kennedy Highway onto Hansen Road, and follow the road signs to Granite Gorge. You will travel through about 14kms of sealed road and a small section (about 1kms) of good condition unsealed road.