Started with a walk down "Lover's Lane" at Paronella Park.www.paronellapark.com.au This place is a story in itself. An idiosyncratic piece of Australia's history, it is a kind of pre-war theme park destination, all built by one very energetic Spanish fellow, Jose Paronella in the 1930's. At the time it was an amazing oasis in the rainforest near Innisfail, featuring a castle, tearooms, a waterfall and huge pool, with picnic tables in stone nearby, acres of rainforest walks, even a museum and a ballroom where events were held and movies were screened. The whole thing powered by hydroelectricity from the waterfall at a time when even Innisfail was not powered.
A generation after his death it was eventually sold and is now run as a historical site for tourists. The elements have not been kind, cyclones, a fire, floods. It is falling apart but in a very picturesque way. The rainforest seems to be reclaiming it.
The Grand Staircase leads down to a still-beautiful picnic area, complete with 1930's BBQ. This is beside the huge waterfall that led Paronella to buy the land in the first place. The evening we arrived we went for a swim here. But the next day we saw the huge eels and fish (sooty grunters!) that live in the water, and decided not to go for any more swims...
One amazing feature is the Kauri walk, planted in the 1930's, these giants survived the cyclones.
Margarita Paronella was a keen gardener, and the grounds are extraordinary. One of the loveliest corners was a miniature version of the main waterfall, built by Jose for his daughter Teresa, surrounded by a fern garden and near to what he called the "tunnel of love", now home to colony of dear little bentwing bats. Our guide took us in and they were close enough to touch, all snuggled up and blinking in the torchlight.
After Paronella Park, we wanted a bit of an adventure, so went kayaking on Babinda Creek, courtesy of www.babindakayakhire.com.au
This was a truly excellent way to celebrate being in love with someone for a third decade as you pass your 6th decade. The water was clear and inviting, there were patches of rainforest beside the stream, and little sandy beaches to stop at. A few little ripply rapids, but we didn't fall in, to the amazement of the hirers. They are a lovely couple who live literally in paradise, and can't stop smiling.
That evening we free-camped at Babinda Boulders campground. David barbecued the piece of rump we bought earlier at the Babinda butcher and we had it with salad and the Durif we bought at Cassegrain winery, sitting outside in tropical warmth, with candles, serviettes and everything. It was an anniversary to remember.
Great stuff - loved reading about Paronella but have never been - congrats on a memorable wedding anniversary.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you comments re kauri. I have seen many kauri - huge ones - in cyclone areas and they are the ONLY species that seems to withstand a cyclone be it in Vanuatu, Fiji or Aus. I suspect that is their secret weapon - just sit in the canopy unitil a gap occurs after a cyclone and they are away - nothing stops them. The kauri reserve on Erromango Is in Vanuatau is a must - about 12 people a year visit it - about 2500 ha of magnificent kauri. Lets plan a trip there - magic spot although hard to reach but plenty of assistance from Dillons Bay residents.