Day 98 - Paronella Park

 Day 98 - Tuesday - 25/8/2026

This morning we drove to Mena Creek where we had lunch and then walked to Paronella Park. The park features the ruins of castle like buildings, bridges, tunnels and secret pathways surrounded by lush tropical rainforest around Mena Creek and its spectacular falls that were built by Spanish immigrant José Paronella 90 years ago.  The falls had powered the park since José installed his hydroelectric system. Nobody thought he could pull it off but somewhere between 1933 and 1934 he managed to make it work, it was the first ever privately owned hydroelectric system in Australia and funnily enough his park had power before the town even had any. 

Mena Falls

At the park we went on a tour where we were told about some of the park's history and were showed around the place. There was a Ballroom, Tennis Court, Flushing toilets (which the town didn't have at the time either), the lower refreshments area, picnic area, tunnel of love, kauri avenue and it even had a secret garden with a waterfall that José had named after his daughter Teresa. 

The lower refreshments area

Kauri Avenue

Me and Seb at Teresa Falls

After the tour we got some turtle food and went to the turtle feeding area where there were about 100 turtles. 

The Turtles

Then we went home and after that we had dinner at the pub where we then headed back over to the park for the night tour. First, we went to the ballroom where the disco ball was moving around shining spots of light all around the place. 

The ballroom 

Next, we walked down to the waterfall which was now lit up with lights powered from the hydroelectric system. 

Us at the waterfall

After spending a bit of time at the waterfall we went over to the tennis courts where there was a light show. The castle was illuminated with vibrant reds, greens and blues changing with every beat in the music.


The Illuminated Lower Refreshments area


Day 99 - Wednesday - 26/8/2026

Today we packed up and drove to South Misson Beach where we went for a swim on the long beach and went for a swim in the pool.

Us at Mission Beach


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