Paronella Park

Paronella Park is a heritage-listed tourist attraction located in Mena Creek, Australia.

It was created by José Paronella, a Spanish immigrant, who arrived in Innisfail, Queensland in 1913. Initially making his wealth through cane farming, Paronella decided to build his dream park after discovering a virgin forest next to Mena Creek Falls.

The park was constructed between 1929 and 1935, inspired by the castles of Catalonia. It features a ballroom with live bands, a grand staircase, tennis courts made from crushed termite mounds, and a pavilion with turret-topped balconies. The park was powered by North Queensland's first privately-owned hydroelectric plant in 1933.

The famous production called The Impossible Dream, which tells the story of José Paronella and his wife, Margarita, launched in 2010. The park's hydroelectric power plant was the first privately-owned one in Queensland and now supplies electricity for the park and the local grid.

Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the park, including The Dream Continues, a 45-minute guided walk, and The Darkness Falls, a night tour. There is also the option to explore the park independently with a booklet providing details about its flora.

Paronella Park has received numerous awards and recognition, including Queensland's premier significant attraction award in 2004 and being listed as the Number One "Must Do" by RACQ 150 Must Do Competition in 2009. It is eco-certified, heritage-listed, and ongoing restoration and preservation projects are in place to maintain its historic and ecological values.