Paronella Park Eintrittskarte

We were not sure what to expect after having visited Paronella Park over 45 years ago BC (before children) when there were no tours and we guided ourselves around the park. Our impressions then were of an attraction with an interesting history but we weren’t sure that it was something we needed to re-visit. What a surprise we had then when we visited this tourist attraction today, arriving in pouring rain to be greeted by the owner ( with umbrellas for us) in the carpark to help us check in with our caravan, giving good advice as to where would be best to get a site. Where else do you get this service from the owner of any Australian tourist attraction??? We opted for the Paddock caravan park, which is brand new, has big powered sites, absolutely fabulous & clean amenities – some of the best we have seen. Did I mention that our caravan stay (1 night) is included, no extra charge, in the cost of an entry ticket to the park (no hidden costs) ?? We had a great guided day tour of the park, courtesy of Ken, which finally gave us a comprehensive picture of the history of the place, and decided to return for the evening show at 6.45pm which was well worth the return to the park. The story of Jose Paronella and the building of Paronella Park is an inspiring and stunning testament to the fulfilment of one man’s dream, one which is part of our history. It was obvious that Mark & Judy Evans, current owners, have done an amazing job with maintenance, restoration, and stabilisation of the original structures and maintained the historic integrity of the property in doing so. The property has survived and flourished against the odds, following several floods, cyclones and fire. The history of the property alone is interesting, the visual impact and beauty of the tropical rainforest and flora is a credit to the passion of the current owners to restore this property as a significant piece of the area’s history and a tribute to the dream and innovation of Jose Paronella. I could use many superlatives to describe this but by far it is better to highly recommend a visit to this beautiful and interesting place. Don’t miss it!!

I thoroughly recommend visiting Paronella Park. To get the most out of your experience, it is best to join a tour (included in your entry fee), to learn how Jose's dream and vision came to fruition, and to explore the many aspects of this park. I did both the day and night tours (and stayed overnight) and even in the rain, it was still remarkable and there were enough umbrellas and torches available for everyone. The museum is also interesting without being overwhelming, and the cafe is a lovely place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the rainforest. Take your time to savour it and you won't be disappointed. Deserving of special mention also, was the friendliness, helpfulness and passion of every staff member I encountered during my experience, from the people who greeted me at the door, to the people selling tickets, accommodation staff, tour guides and cafe staff. With 75 staff in total, the park relies solely on its visitors. I can also recommend the book The Spanish Dreamer, where you can read more about Jose's story. Enjoy.

My wife and I stayed here for two nights at the start of a 5 week road and were glad we did. We visited this attraction 20 years before several cyclones and added another layer of damage, but the "castles" and garden walks still amaze and inspire awe at Jose Paronella' dream of creating a centre of fun and leisure in the middle of a tropical forest. As we were staying at the van park, our entrance fees were included in the price, and the staff cared for our dog while we were on the day tour. There is a well stocked gift shop and a small cafe in the admin block, but meals are not served on site, although the Mena Creek hotel is just across the road, and it has a good selection of main and light meals. Paronella Park is a must visit attraction if travelling up or down the Bruce Highway and is suitable for all ages, although under 5s may not find enough to keep them interested. The light and sound show is the more spectacular of the two tours,but do both to fully appreciate this unique place and its history.