Part 4 of our 2022 Adventure
Airlie Beach to Mena Creek
(529Km)
Hervey Bay to Mena Creek 1470km
Accommodation: ParonellaCaravan Park
Our Rating: 10/10
Cost: $44 pn Power and Water
Campfires:
Image Gallery: Paronella Park andSurrounds
Travelling with: Fiona Ellis, Steve & Mel Conlan
Our Rating: 10/10
Cost: $44 pn Power and Water
Campfires:
Image Gallery: Paronella Park andSurrounds
Travelling with: Fiona Ellis, Steve & Mel Conlan
Camp Description
Caravan and Camping
The Paronella Caravan and Camping grounds are available to guests who have their own caravan, camper or tent, and a site for a night is included in your entry fee to Paronella Park! Bookings are essential.
The Paronella Caravan and Camping grounds are available to guests who have their own caravan, camper or tent, and a site for a night is included in your entry fee to Paronella Park! Bookings are essential.
Airlie Beach to Paronella Park: 529 km, 7-hour drive with road works, towns, and a lunch break.
I have been to Paronella once before, but I have never done the night tour. This was the first time for everyone else on our adventure.
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José Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park.
José Paronella arrived in Australia from Catalonia, Spain in 1913, and spent the next 11 years working. Initially, he cut sugar cane, but later he began purchasing, improving, and reselling cane farms. In 1924, he returned to Spain and married Margarita, and the following year they traveled back to Australia for their honeymoon.
In 1914, José first laid eyes on a 13-acre plot of virgin scrubland along Mena Creek. In 1929, he purchased the land for £120 and began constructing his pleasure gardens and reception center for public enjoyment. The Grand Staircase was the earliest structure on the property, built for the purpose of carrying river sand to make concrete.
Initially, they constructed a house for their living, and subsequently, they started working on the Castle. All the structures, except for the house which was built using stones, were made of poured, reinforced concrete. The reinforcing was done using old railway track. They applied a plaster made from clay and cement by hand on the concrete surface, which left behind the imprint of their fingers as a memento of their hard work.