Lower Refreshment Rooms

Day 10 - Paronella Park, FNQ

We were heading up to the Atherton Tableland from Mission Beach and made a last second decision to follow the Cane Cutters Way and inadvertently stumbled across Paronella Park. We had never heard of this place but decided to go in and have a look. What an absolute surprise it was.
You can read about it at http://www.paronellapark.com.au/about/brief-history but basically it is the remnants of one man, José Paronella's dream to build his pleasure gardens and reception centre for the enjoyment of the public.
I got this wrong yesterday. This is the remains of the Lower Refreshment Rooms.

[Helen Sanderson]

Its an interesting place to visit isn't it...interesting story

[Connie Little]

Terrific find. Interesting story to go with this great image.

[Denis]

it amazes me how some men get obsessed to build their dreams over an entire lifetime. Great capture.

[Liana Bull]

What a cool find. I had heard of this but never stopped to check it out last time we were over that way. Lovely photo is intriguing.

[Diana]

Fabulous capture and story to match.

[Peter]

Superb perspective, colour and clarity Terry, what an interesting place to visit:)

[Valerie Chesney]

Very lovely capture...we have visited many times & would visit again.....the story is inspiring...my Mother in law & sisters used to dance there many years ago.....is the disco ball still there Fav

[Sam]

Oh I would love to see these gardens! FAV

[sally agnew]

It is a fascinating place :)

[Denise Wood]

What a great stumble :)

[Merrelyn]

What a fabulous find 😀

[Carol]

Wow, thought you'd suddenly changed your itinerary and gone overseas. Would never have known this was in Australia.

[Poppo Livy]

@happysnaps No long gone Valerie. Probably claimed by the 1979 fire. It is all just a shell at present although the current owners are trying to restore much of it.

[Rachel]

This is somewhere I've always wanted to go. So unusual.