[Paronella Park], Sth Mission Beach, Ayr, Mackay – 21 to 26 October 2010

Paronella Park was built by José Paronella. His dream was to build a Spanish Castle on a property he purchased by Mena Creek Falls. He provided a picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees, now a lush rain forest.
It opened to the public in 1935 and because the remote location meant power was unreliable he used his own hydroelectric system to provide power for his castle, picture theatre and function rooms. 
The hydroelectric plant is unique and was recently restored to full working order. Paronella is now a beautiful ruin and still a great place for a picnic in better weather. We saw it in flood – they had 201mm [8 inches] of rain in 24 hours.
We camped at South Mission Beach It was still raining so heavily that nearby Dunk Island was barely visible. Don’t forget the new tourism slogan for Queensland – “Queensland – where Australia Rains Shines”
In Cardwell we saw the Memorial to the Battle of the Coral Sea, recognized as one of the decisive sea battles against the Japanese fleet in World War II.
We camped at Ayr where thankfully it had finally stopped raining, as we were feeling very soggy by this time.  Ayr has “the big rainbow serpent” to add to our collection of “bigs”.

Passing through Bowen provide another “big” the “Big Mango”, a Kensington Pride variety.
We had lunch at Ocean Beach. This part of Australia is very beautiful and the scenery of sugar cane farms and distant mountains is wonderfully green.

 

Marian, is the site of a cottage where Dame Nellie Melba lived for six weeks while her husband managed a nearby sugar mill. She didn't like it as there were too many beetles and insects so she left to pursue her career to become a famous opera singer instead.
We camped at Mackay. This is a Coal and Sugar Town. We spent time on the Blue Water Lagoon especially following the walk along the Town Quay.
The sugar lump stacks memorialize Pacific  Islanders who worked in the sugar cane industry.
The lighthouse was operated by kerosene and is situated at the marina.