Only 18klm out of Innisfail, Paronella Park is a MUST do when you are in the north. The drive is a little winding, the scenery is beautiful, and the destination just unreal. This is a Google exercise if you have not heard of the park before.

We only decided to hit Paronella as we left Hull Head. Evi checked out potential campsites for the night and, as we both knew of the Park and what it offers, it was a given. Fortunately we rang ahead as comments on Wiki-Camps indicated that it was booked out most nights during winter. We won a spot and so headed inland, still a bit overcast but the wind was subdued. 

When we arrived there was a light rain falling, like a mist. With the van we had to pull up outside the carpark, and as we readied ourselves for a dash over the 80mt to the office, to our surprise a young guy fronted up to the car with two umbrella's. This was the first taste of the Paronella hospitality. The campsite crowns a small knob above the park and is very tight for larger vans and Motorhomes. With not too much wriggling we were soon set up and, Paronella umbrellas in hand walked over to the Reception/Cafe for some lunch and find out the drill.

Park entry is $40pp, but for 2 people the campsite is free, also the $40 allows entry for 2 years, not a bad ploy. Also included is a guided walk through the park which leaves every 90 minutes, and for those staying onsite it also includes an hour-long night walk which was like a fairytale come to life. 

The owners of the park, a family, have recently bought the Mena Creek pub, located about 300mts away, and they are building a 40 site caravan park and cabins there. At present you can only stay one night! we left Paronella with regrets!