Paronella Park

Paronella Park is a tourist attraction, 120 km south of Cairns. Back in 1913 a man called José Paronella had a dream of building a castle in a virgin forest alongside Mena Creek, and by 1935 his dream had been realised. A magnificent castle with grand staircase, lakeside tunnels and bridges, picnic areas and magnificent gardens, opened to the public.

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. The plant was eventually decomissioned, and many decades later in 2009 the current owners of Paronella Park have begun work to install a new hydro-electric plant, and plan to run the entire park off this supply. Paronella Park has received multiple Queensland tourism awards, is State and National Heritage listed and is a National Trust listed property. It is privately owned and operated and Eco accredited.

How To Get Here

The best way to enjoy everything Paronella Park has to offer is to drive here yourself. Book your car rental here.

When driving from Cairns (120km South of Cairns), be sure to head to Mena Creek; take the "OLD" Bruce Highway after Innisfail rather than turning right and heading for Townsville along the Bruce Highway. Just south of Innisfail (before the Old Bruce Highway) you will find a Visitor Information Centre.

When driving from Townsville (280km North of Townsville), turn off the Bruce Highway at Silkwood and follow the Canecutter Way.

Recommended Tour

Take a scenic day tour through the Cairns Highlands to Paronella Park and its evocative Spanish Castle ruins. You'll travel through the Atherton Tablelands, see waterfalls, rainforests and stunning vistas, take a cruise on Lake Barrine, explore the romantic rainforest-clad ruins of Paronella Park before taking a guided tour of Mamu Canopy Boardwalk.