Name: Paronella Park Photo Tour
SKU: 369
Price: 399.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

Paronella Park, located in Mena Creek, Queensland, is a dream destination for photography enthusiasts. This enchanting park, built by Spanish immigrant José Paronella in the 1930s, offers a unique blend of historic architecture and lush tropical scenery, making it a perfect subject for photographers. The park is home to an impressive castle, surrounded by gardens, waterfalls, and walking paths teeming with photo opportunities.

A photo tour to Paronella Park typically starts with an exploration of the iconic castle. The structure, with its vintage charm and weathered stonework, provides a rich backdrop for architectural photography. Inside, the intricate details and historical artifacts offer countless opportunities for close-up shots that capture the essence of José Paronella’s vision. As you wander through the park, you’ll encounter lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a variety of native wildlife, ideal for nature photography.

One of the highlights of Paronella Park is the stunning waterfall, which is particularly captivating in the early morning light or during the golden hour in the evening. The play of light and shadow, combined with the cascading water, creates a dynamic scene that is perfect for long-exposure shots. Additionally, the park’s nighttime tours, where the castle and gardens are illuminated, offer a completely different perspective and allow for some dramatic low-light photography.

Throughout the tour, you’ll also have the chance to capture the park’s unique blend of natural and man-made beauty. The reflection of the castle in the tranquil waters of the surrounding ponds, the canopy of trees providing a natural frame, and the interplay of light through the foliage all contribute to an ever-changing canvas for your photography.

As part of the photo tour, we will also conduct a night photography session at Paronella Park. This is a magical experience that transforms the already captivating landscape into a mystical wonderland. As the sun sets and darkness falls, the park’s iconic castle and gardens are bathed in a warm, ambient glow from strategically placed lights, highlighting the intricate architecture and lush foliage in a whole new light. This dramatic illumination creates an atmosphere that is both enchanting and surreal, offering unique photographic opportunities that are vastly different from those during the day.

During the night tour, the castle’s stone walls and archways are illuminated, casting long shadows and creating a play of light and dark that adds depth and mystery to your shots. Long-exposure photography techniques are particularly effective here, capturing the soft glow of the lights and the serene ambience of the park. The illuminated waterfall becomes a focal point, with the water appearing as a silky, ethereal flow against the darkened backdrop, creating stunning, otherworldly images.

The gardens, too, take on a different character at night. The soft lighting accentuates the textures and colours of the plants, while the reflections in the ponds and streams add a mirror-like quality to your compositions. Photographing the night sky above Paronella Park is another highlight, with the clear, unpolluted skies of this rural area providing a canvas for capturing star trails and the Milky Way. The combination of the illuminated structures and the starlit sky can make for some truly breathtaking photographs.

Night photography at Paronella Park requires careful planning and the right equipment, such as a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens, and a remote shutter release to minimize camera shake. It also offers an intimate experience, as the park is quieter and less crowded, allowing you to immerse yourself in the serene environment and experiment with different compositions and techniques. This nocturnal adventure is not only about capturing beautiful images but also about experiencing the park’s mystical charm in a whole new dimension.

A photo tour of Paronella Park is an opportunity to capture beautiful images and a journey through a piece of Queensland’s rich cultural heritage.

If you are interested in attending this 2 day/1 night tour to Paronella Park, but can’t make it along to the set tour date, please send me a message so I can keep you up to date with all the information about upcoming Cape Hillsborough photo tours

Tour Details

Tour Dates

Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 June 2025

Itinerary

Saturday 7 June 2025

9:00am Depart from Townsville for Paronella Park

1:00pm Arrive at Paronella Park

1:30pm Lunch at Mena Creek Hotel

2:30pm Book into our accommodation

3:00pm Mamu Tropical Sky Walk

6:30 Dinner

8:00pm Night photography session at Paronella Park

Sunday 8 June 2025

7:30am Breakfast

9:00am Day tour of Paronella Park

1:30pm Lunch

2:30pm Continued day tour of Paronella Park

4:30 Head back to Townsville

Please note that the itinerary may change depending on different factors such as weather etc

Facilities

Paronella Park has all the necessary facilities you require including beds, kitchen, shower and toilet facilities, cafe for food etc

Departure Times And Location

We will be meeting at the service station at Deeragun from 9:00am and arrive at Paronella Park at approximately 12:00pm

Need To Know

Accommodation: 1 night in shared accommodation (2 people per bungalow). Cost per person is twin share. There is a surcharge for single accommodation in a double bed of $125 per night

Our Paronella Park photo tour provides delicious and nutritious food and can cater for the following dietary requirements:

Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Please advise in the comments section at check out or call our sales team on 0420 275 575, no later than 48 hour prior departure and where possible we will endeavor to meet your request.

For any further dietary preferences or food allergies, you’re welcome to bring your own food, in addition to what is supplied.

Travelling with children and infants

Infants ( 0-4 years old) travel free of charge and must be included in the booking. Please note children must be supervised by at one of their parents at all times.

Parking

Onsite car parking is free at the ParonellaPark

If you are unsure or you need further assistance, please contact our sales team on 0420 275 575.

What To Bring

refillable water bottle
camera gear, including spare batteries and tripod, wide angle lenses and filters
appropriate clothing (hat, polarized sunglasses, light jacket/jumper during winter months)
reef safe sunscreen

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the stay at Paronella Park?

The photo tour to Paronella Park is a 2 day/1 night tour

What do I bring?

We recommend you bring

a refillable water bottle
camera gear, including spare batteries and tripod, wide angle lenses and filters
appropriate clothing (hat, polarized sunglasses, light jacket/jumper during winter months)
reef safe sunscreen
a small amount of cash for purchases not included in the tour

What food is included?

All meals are included from dinner on Saturday evening when we arrive at Paronella Park until lunch on Sunday for each guest. If you have food allergies or specific dietary requirements, please advise me at least 48 hours prior to departure and where possible I will endeavour to meet your request

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Access to most areas visited on the photo tour are wheelchair accessible.

What else is included in the cost?

Access to Paronella Park
Overnight accomodation
Entry to Mamu Tropical Skywalk

I don’t have a vehicle to get to Paronella Park. Can I get a lift there?

Please let us know in advance if you don’t have a way to get to Cape Hillsborough and we will organise transport for you. Please remember to chip in for petrol with your driver

Bookings and Cancellations

1. Cancellation by the Traveller

If you cancel your booking the following fees apply:

Between 14 days and 48 hours before departure: 20% of total cost
Between 24 hours and 48 hours before departure: 50% of total cost
Within 24 hours of departure: 100% of total cost

A ‘no show’ will incur 100% penalty. No refunds are given on unused tickets.

2. Booking changes

PhotoTours Australia will accept travel date changes or changes to another PhotoTours Australia North Queensland Tour (subject to availability) up to 48 hours before departure for a $20 p/person administration fee – any difference in tour price is payable by the passenger. Please note cancellation fees apply for any changes within 48 hours – please refer to the above Cancellation Policy.

4. Change of Itinerary

Tours and itinerary are subject to prevailing weather and sea conditions including tides, wind, swell and rain. The vessel master will determine the most appropriate course on the day of travel.

5. Travel Insurance

Holiday plans can be disrupted and cancellation fees can be costly. I highly recommend that you have your own travel insurance. Please note that Travel Insurance may not cover disruptions caused by mechanical breakdowns or adverse weather conditions.

Click here for a full list of PhotoTours Australia Terms and Conditions.