Paronella Park

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Paronella Park is a tourist attraction located in Queensland, Australia, 120 kilometres south of Cairns.

Contents

[edit] History

Lower Refreshment Rooms
Lower Refreshment Rooms

Paronella Park was built in the 1930s by José Paronella, a Spanish immigrant.[1] José Paronella built facilities, including tennis courts and a cinema and a ballroom inspired by Spanish castles, to provide entertainment for the public. Since his death, a fire, a cyclone and several floods have badly damaged the park and the buildings. The park changed owners several times until, in 1993, it was bought by the present owners. Nowadays, the overgrown, heavily damaged buildings impart an almost medieval atmosphere.

[edit] Hydro Electric Plant

In 1933, Paronella installed a hydro-electric plant, the first in Queensland, on the waterfall in the park. He used it to supply power for the park's lighting, pumps, refrigeration and cinema. The town of Mena Creek also used some of the electricity.

[edit] Activities

The Dream Continues Tour A 45 minute guided walk takes the visitor through the highlights of the Park and tells the story of José Paronella’s dreams and vision.

Departs every 30 minutes from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

Bush Tucker Walk and Indigenous Cultural Performance Indigenous Tour Guides take the visitor on a 45 minute story telling Tour, telling Dreamtime Stories and explaining the indigenous uses of many of the trees as Food, Medicines, Tools, Shelter etc.

Demos of shelter making, fire lighting and the didgeridoo. Opportunity to meet with and talk to Local Aboriginal people.

The Darkness Falls Tour The Visitor is shown the secrets and delights that are Paronella Park at Night - a special way to extend the Paronella Park Experience.

6.20pm each night. Duration 1 hour approx.

Self-guided Botanical Walk A 16 page Listing Booklet containing details of 88 of the Park's flora. The trees are identified throughout the Park.

[edit] Awards and recognitions

In 2004, Paronella Park was named Queensland's premier significant attraction by the Queensland Tourism.[2] It was also a joint winner in the "Emerging Business" category of the Reconciliation Awards for Business (2004), awarded by the Queensland Government.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Paronella Park, Mena Creek Falls and Mena Creek Environmental Park. The State of Queensland (Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
  2. ^ Tourism awards reflect Queensland's diversity: MP. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (27 November 2004). Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
  3. ^ Reconciliation Awards for Business: 2004 winners. The State of Queensland (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships). Retrieved on 2007-09-12.

[edit] External links

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