After a leisurely pack-up at Rifle Creek (Mt. Molloy) we
travelled down the range on a steep winding highway through lush tropical
rainforest to reach the coast just south of Mossman. Then south along the very
scenic Captain Cook Highway to reach Cairns in time for some lunch and
shopping. From Cairns we followed the road south to Babinda where we took
advantage of a great free camping area at ‘The Boulders’ just west of the town.
The next morning was spent wandering around the quaint shops of this charming
little Queensland sugar town (although we noticed the mill was no longer in
operation and was being demolished) before following the highway south to
Innisfail then the old highway and back roads to Mena Creek to visit Paronella
Park
Spanish migrant Jose’ Paronella had a dream of building a
castle, a dream which he fulfilled. He chose 5 hectares (13 acres) of
rainforest beside Mena Creek Falls where he designed and built his castle with
picnic areas, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel and magnificent gardens with
over 7,500 tropical plants. Commenced in 1930 it opened to the public in 1935.
Jose’ passed away in 1948 and his wife in1967 and from then the castle and it’s
surrounds were gradually overgrown by the rainforest. Rediscovered by the
current owners Mark & Judy Evans in 1993 the park is now gradually being
restored, although there is still much to do. It is very pleasing to see that
there has been no attempt to remove any of the charming ‘aged patina’ that
gives this place such a magnificent character.
Admission to the
park includes guided tours, both day and night, and a night in the park’s own
Caravan Park. Even though it rained during most of our time there we still made
the most of the tours and really are glad we went a little out of our way to
visit.
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