On our journey to Parronella Park, we drive through the Southern Corridor townships passing the highest mountain in Queensland, Mount Bartle Frere. We arrive at the beautiful Babinda Boulders, where we enjoy a nature walk and swim. Further south into the Cassowary Coast featuring an interpretive overview of the rich history of agriculture in the Banana and Sugar Cane Industries. Taking the scenic coastal road over the Moresby Range, we stop at Etty Bay. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and photograph a Southern Cassowary on a rainforest beach. At Etty Bay, we enjoy afternoon tea, with time to walk along the beach to experience this unique environment where the rainforest meets the reef.

Arriving for the afternoon tour, we are welcomed by one of Paronella Park’s staff and introduced to our local guide for an interpretive 30-minute tour. Entering Jose Paronella’s home, now the museum, you learn the Paronella Park story. Proceeding the tour is leisure time to explore the 13 acres. Discover the tunnel of love, little Theresa Falls, walk through the Kauri Tree corridor, meander through the architectural sites of the lower gardens, panoramic vistas of the cascading waterfall, and immerse amongst the 7500 thousand tropical plants and trees. Listen to the quiet of the tranquil surroundings, breath the clean, fresh air and listen to the bird life. Interacting with nature by feeding the fish entices to the waters edge the eels and turtles.

One of the most photographic landscapes in Tropical Far North Qld, the afternoon light filters through the park’s treetops, making it the perfect time to capture a number of photo opportunities.

For dinner, we walk across to the Historic Mena Creek Hotel for an authentic pub-style meal. On returning to Paronella Park, take a leisurely stroll to the falls, you may cross the Mena Creek Falls walking over the suspension bridge. A magical experience in the evening seeing Paronella Park alight by its own Hydro Electricity Plant truly amazing vista. Rejoining our guide, we prepare for the evening tour and are handed our torches.

The grand finale and highlight of the tour, sitting under the stars surrounded by the dense rainforest, set the scene of a captivating extraordinary magical moment, witnessing the Spanish Castle come to life through the orchestral light show, elevating your senses for an experience you will never forget.