⛺️ 5 x Paronella Park Accommodation, Camping & Caravan Park Options!

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The beautiful Paronella Park showcases the original story of one Spanish man with a very big dream. The eventual result was a spectacular castle being built in the tropical rainforest of Far North Queensland, complete with hydro electricity – one of the first in the state in its heyday!

Unfortunately, the castle remains are now slowly crumbling away due to the nature of the (sandy) materials that were used. But, today’s owners have big plans for restorations in order to keep José’s dream alive so that many more people can experience the wonders of Paronella Park.

Spend a full day exploring Paronella Park and Mena Creek Falls, with free tours included in the ticket price. Be sure to stick around for the spectacular night show and fireflies, then head up to The Mena Creek Hotel for a hearty meal.

Paronella Park accommodation options include the Paronella Park Camping & Caravan Park for tents, campers, caravans and Big Rigs, with cabins also available. In addition, there’s The Paddock, The Mena Creek Hotel and The Old Church all within 200 metres walking distance.

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Paronella Park Accommodation, Camping & Caravan Parks

There are two camping options when visiting Paronella Park and the bonus is that you get 1 night FREE Camping included in your Paronella Park entry ticket!

Below is more information about all of the Paronella Park accommodation, camping and caravan park options.

Paronella Park Camping & Caravan Park

One night’s camping in the Paronella Park Caravan Park is included in the entry fee to Paronella Park.

Bookings are essential and guests must have their own caravan, camper or tent to in order to take advantage of this offer.

As we drove into the Paronella Park driveway, we were greeted by a chirpy Canadian guy who showed us to a car park and directed us to the Reception area.

Armed with booklets, maps and information, we left the reception area, jumped back into the car and made our way around the back to the Paronella Park Camping & Caravan Park. 

It was around 11am and we were the first ones to arrive. We didn’t have a booking, but by mid afternoon it was almost full, so to avoid disappointment, bookings are definitely recommended.

There are only 16 sites at the Paronella Park Camping & Caravan Park and some of them are rather small and tight. However, since we were first in, we got the pick of the bunch and got our 23ft caravan in just fine.

Book your spot at the Paronella Park Caravan Park.

The Paddock

If you’ve got a Big Rig or don’t manage to snag yourself a site at the Paronella Park Caravan Park, never fear, there is plenty of room over in The Paddock, which is just 200m up the road next to the Mena Creek Hotel. 

The benefit of camping at The Paddock is that you can stay as long as you like, whereas at the Paronella Park Caravan Park, you are limited to just 24-hours.

Just like at the Caravan Park, your first night of camping at The Paddock is included in the Paronella Park entry price. If you wish to stay on beyond that, then camping fees apply.

The owners of Paronella Park also own the Mena Creek Hotel and have put a lot of work into upgrading The Paddock during 2022. There are now 60 powered, pull-through sites, which are also all pet-friendly.

The walk to Paronella Park for the day and night tours is only 200m down the road, which is super handy.

Book your spot at The Paddock.

Paronella Park Cabins

Within the Paronella Park Caravan Park, there are cabins available for those who aren’t travelling with a self-contained set-up.

This is not included in the entry price, so additional fees apply.

Book your cabin by phoning (07) 4065 0000.

The Mena Creek Hotel

Just a short 200-metre stroll up the road from Paronella Park sits The Mena Creek Hotel. There you will find a traditional Queenslander-style country pub, with delicious meals, cold beverages and tropical farmland surroundings.

The Mena Creek Hotel offers accommodation with air conditioned rooms available for singles, couples and families.

Book your accommodation at The Mena Creek Hotel.

The Old Church

The Old Church of the Sacred Heart opened its doors in 1958 and was only operational for 10 years. From 1968, it became private property and later went on to be turned into the beautiful B & B that it is today.

You’ll find The Old Church located right next door to The Mena Creek Hotel and The Paddock, which are all owned by the Evans family. Getting to Paronella Park is an easy 200 metre walk down the road.

Paronella Park Accommodation Locations

Use the interactive map below to locate each of the 5 Paronella Park Accommodation, Camping & Caravan Park options.

Paronella Park Accommodation Addresses:

Paronella Park Tours

What Does the Paronella Park Entry Ticket Include?

• The Dream Continues Tour: 45-minute guided walk around the park with the telling of the story of who built the park, his vision and how it progressed
• The Darkness Falls Tour: 1-hour guided night tour with a Light Show
• The Hydro Tour: 25-minute tour of North QLD’s first river-driven Hydro Electric Generator – must be over 13 years old
• Botanical ‘Scavenger Hunt’ with Guidebook/ Map (self-guided)
• Museum
• FREE Return Entry into the park for 2 years
• Guide Book/ Map
• FREE Camping for 1 night in the Caravan Park or The Paddock
• Complimentary Gift at the close of ‘The Darkness Falls Tour’
• Feeding Food for turtles & fish
• FREE Shuttle Bus to The Mena Creek Hotel after the Night Tour (or take the 200m walk up the road)
• Umbrellas for sunny/ rainy weather
• Cafe on the deck (or enjoy BYO picnic)

How Much Does Entry into Paronella Park Cost?

We found the prices very reasonable, considering how much is included in the ticket. You definitely get more bang for your buck when you take advantage of the Free Camping, Night Tour and Light Show.

Paronella Park – DAY TOUR

Once we’d set up and had a bit of lunch, we headed on down to The Deck, where the daytime tours depart every half hour, running for 45 minutes. We were met by Alexis, another upbeat, young Canadian guy. We all headed off down into the ruins of the park where the enchanting old story begun…

Making His Fortune

José Paronella first arrived in Innisfail back in 1913 and had travelled all the way from Catalonia (northern Spain). His plan was to create a wonderful life for himself along with his fiancée Matilda, who was still back home. 

For eleven years he worked hard buying, improving and then selling cane farms, making a total of $1,000,000 (in todays currency). During his stay he discovered the magical Mena Creek Falls, framed by a beautiful forest. 

He was a Spaniard with big dreams and this place was perfect.

Snagging a Fiancé

When he arrived back in Spain, he found that his beloved Matilda had thought that he was dead and married another man! Naturally, he then proposed to Margarita, Matilda’s younger sister. 

A year later the young lovers jumped onto a ship, made their way to the foreign land of Australia and bought the land that José had had his heart set on.

Building a Castle

Between 1929 and 1935, José and his crew got to work designing and building the Grand Staircase and Castle with a Movie Theatre that transformed into a Ballroom on the weekends. 

Live bands entertained the guests while a massive Mirror Ball spun from the ceiling throwing pink and blue dazzling lights around the hall.

Let There be Power!

Two years before the castle was opened to the public, North Queensland’s first hydro electric plant was built to power the entire 13 acre park, plus they also used the crystal clear creek water for their drinking water. 

With Paronella Park being the only building in the area to have electricity back in the 1930’s, they thought, “why not sell cold, sweet treats to enjoy in the tropical humidity.” They made good business out of selling ice creams – kids would apparently walk for miles just to get one!

Stories of Decades Gone By

Over the years more additions were added to create a bustling attraction with people coming from far and wide to enjoy. The guided day tour takes you around The Castle with the Wishing Well, down the Grand Staircase to the Picnic Area and alongside Mena Creek Falls. 

As you then wander up to the Lower Refreshment Rooms and Tennis Courts, the lovely guides will share a whole range of funny and interesting stories that have been passed down since those early days. Couples used to sneak off for a quiet moment along Lovers Lane. 

The Tunnel of Love was known for having the Mafia set up in there, playing cards and doing shady deals (or, so rumour has it!). These days The Tunnel of Love is now home to a bat colony. How fitting!

Teresa Falls has its own unique story along with Kauri Avenue. You will also have the opportunity to wander through the Bamboo Forest, Palm Grove and feed the turtles at their nesting area.

Paronella Park – NIGHT TOUR

If you do stay the night, remember that the night tour is included in your ticket price and is not to be missed! 

You will each be issued with your own torches (which was pretty exciting in itself for the kids) and lead off with another tour guide through the magical park and rainforest under the cloak of darkness. We even spotted some Fireflies, which was a highlight! 

Some sections are softly lit, but the Castle, Mena Falls and the Lower Refreshment Rooms are the main attractions with beautiful lighting. Your guide will share even more great stories of the days gone by, keeping the past alive. 

Light Show

Towards the end of your tour, all of the various tour groups will meet at the Lower Refreshment Rooms for the Light Show. It is just magical! 

The tour itself will end back at The Deck where the owner himself will come out and say a few words as you hand your torches back in and receive your Thank You gift (I’m not telling you what it is – you’ll have to find out for yourself!).

▶️ PRESS PLAY for the Light Show Teaser ↓

Dinner at The Mena Creek Hotel

We finished our night off by walking up the road to The Mena Creek Hotel for a delicious meal. I’d recommend making a reservation as it was very busy. Admittedly our visit did also coincide with a long weekend and school holidays (we didn’t plan that very well).

The owners of Paronella Park also own The Mena Creek Hotel, so they are prepared for an influx of customers after the Light Show finishes each night. There is a shuttle bus that can run you up from the Park to the pub rather thank walking if you prefer (it’s 200m up a hill).

What to Expect at Paronella Park

It’s easy to see why this Paronella Park is one of Queensland’s most awarded attractions. For the price we paid, we felt like it was really worth it considering you get the Paronella Park Castle Tour, plus accommodation. All of the staff were so friendly and helpful and the grounds were just beautiful. Don’t forget to grab your 2-year Return Pass on the way out – you never know, you may be back!

Just like any other big tourist attraction, the park was full of people wherever we went, which made getting photo’s without crowds a bit painful. I’d recommend wandering through the park in your own time to get the pics that you want. Remember to put your walking shoes on – we walked a total of 10km throughout the day! They are able to easily transport people around on buggies who aren’t able to walk the distance though, so take full advantage of that if need be.

The next day you need to be out of the camping area by 10 am. You are free however, to park in the main carpark and go back into the grounds as much as you like.

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