Paronella Park

Paronella Park - the old ballroom  

Drive south of Innisfail but keep left towards Wangan and South Johnstone i.e. do not take the Townsville road which takes the bridge over to the east side of the river. Follow the road and the signs to Mena Creek. Paronella Park is a wonderful tropical fantasy created by an immigrant Spanish man in the 1920s. Back then, the road past Paronella was the main Bruce Highway. It was very popular and was "the place" to get married. Later on, when the highway was moved to the east, the popularity of Paronella waned and the property fell into disrepair. The buildings are a leap into another time and culture and are slowly being restored by the present owners.

It is now one of the most popular attractions in North Queensland. Take a picnic and find  nice spot beside the creek. Swim, feed the small turtles and imagine how it once was:

A day out for an Italian wedding, the men having a day off from the canefields admiring the girls in their lacy dresses and bonnets and everyone looking forward to the food and dancing afterwards.

Paronella Park

The garden in front of the old ballroom

More Things to Do

Photo credits

Paronella Park - the old ballroom:  Photo by Geoff Whalan /  CC BY

Paronella Park:  Photo by Geoff Whalan /  CC BY

Garden in front of the old ballroom:  Photo by Geoff Whalan /  CC BY