Day 39

Today we started heading towards cold. 

Volcanic activity is evident almost everywhere you look up here

Everyone has a dream. But not everyone’s dreams are realised.

José Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park.

On 5ha beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!).

He opened to the public in 1935. Now we carry on his dream.

Crossing the swing bridge to the property 

From the bridge 

Grand staircase 

Waterfall which powers the hydro electric generator in Queensland 

Toilet block showing the railway track used as concrete reinforcement. 

Unfortunate the sand used has caused the concrete to deteriorate and allow the steel to become wet then rust and expand and create cracking, this is known as concrete cancer. 

Avenue of Kauri Pine trees

Grand ballroom at night 

Brrrrrrr Note the warm vests we need to wear. 

We are only 400 km south from where we woke up.