News from the

Cruise Oz Blog

blog essentials image

North QLD Christmas Trip – Day 9: Townsville to Paronella Park

08 Dec 2024
Hinchenbrook lookout

We today is sooooooo exciting, we are off to Paronella Park. I have seen this advertised everywhere and it is a bucket list item for me.

But I am getting ahead of myself, first we have to leave the comfort of the Coral Coast Caravan Park in Townsville. Coral Coast Tourist Park (coralcoastpark.com.au)

I had the last laugh as the family complained that I picked a park, so close to the airport it felt like they were landing and taking off on top of us. There was a train line out the front and a busy road.

With all of that it was the best park, it was very well located and being a regional airport there wasn’t too many planes. so really in the end the noise level was low. The site were layout very well and fit the car in front of the van.

Onto the exciting part, “on the road again” heading to the ultimate goal of Paronella Park. On the way we have some sights to stop and photos to take.

On top of the range out of Townsville was Hinchenbrook lookout. Luckily the rain stopped long enough for photos at both the lookouts, everyone seems to only go to the platform at the carpark. If you take the time and head up a few stairs the view to the valley is a million times better.

We stop in Cardwell to take a walk and have lunch by the water. Once again it is so hot and humid. Little did we know what weather was on its way…

Last stop of the day is Paronella Park. We purchased the 2 park pass and our free caravan park spot. It isn’t a traditional caravan park, the sites are numbered but extremely tight to get into.

Once the van was in the site, power and water hooked up, we dived inside to cool down in the aircon. Then the heavens opened up, it rain cats and dogs for a few hours. Our booking is for the 7pm night tour and we weren’t sure if the rain was going to stop.

Dinner was early incase, and would you believe it there was a brake in the weather. So off we head with rain jackets and cameras in hand. The water coming off the falls was a sight to see and the noise…WOW…

We head off on the night tour and make it all the way through and just have a light drizzle during the light show. this place is spectacular.

Our next booking is 930am tour tomorrow and we off to bed with our fingers crossed that we can get this tour without being a drowned rat..