Mena Creek Falls lies beside the vacationer attraction of Paronella Park inside a small nation city on the Cassowary Coast, simply 19 KM from Innisfail. Learn this entire information to visiting Mena Creek Falls.
After I first heard about Mena Creek Falls, I used to be beneath the impression that it was throughout the personal property of Paronella Park. Nevertheless, the reality is that each the bottom of the waterfall and the perspective from above are accessible to the general public without cost always.
Subsequently, visiting Mena Creek Falls on a Cassowary Coast street journey from Cairns is a worthwhile addition to the itinerary, even should you’re not up for visiting the Paronella Park.
The waterfall at Mena Creek Falls is a single-tier waterfall plunging off of the 7-million-year-old basalt column and into an enormous, rainforest-enshrouded freshwater pool. Nevertheless, it’s not referred to as a very good swimming spot because of the 3-metre crocodile that calls it residence!
About Mena Creek Falls and Paronella Park
Mena Creek Falls will get its fame from the adjoining citadel, constructed by José Paronella within the Thirties. Based on the story, José’s dream was to construct a citadel after emigrating to Australia within the early 1900s from Spain to work the cane farms.
Apparently, José bought 13 acres of scrub subsequent to Mena Creek for under £120 in 1929 and spent the subsequent decade constructing his citadel and planting over 7500 tropical vegetation and timber to create the now thriving rainforest. He additionally constructed a hydro-electric plant from the waterfall move, which was in a position to energy all the park. It was the primary of its form in North Queensland.
He opened his dream citadel (Paronella Park) to the general public in 1935 and it’s nonetheless one of many most-awarded vacationer stops in Queensland.
There’s a suspension bridge that connects the grassy park on the facet of the waterfall to Paronella Park. Whereas you must pay an admission payment to enter the park, anybody can try Mena Creek Falls from the grass or the strolling monitor to the bottom of the falls.
The place is Mena Creek Falls?
The township of Mena Creek sits tucked behind the Basilisk Vary, on the western facet of the Bruce Freeway, roughly 19 kilometres from Innisfail, 46 kilometres from Mission Seaside and 110 kilometres from Cairns.
This small nation city is well-known for its waterfall namesake, which is discovered simply off the primary street (Innisfail-Japoon Street). This winding nation street is sealed and weaves its approach by means of the wealthy cane-field countryside, becoming a member of two entry factors on the Bruce Hwy (at Innisfail and Silkwood).
Easy methods to Get Right here
Attending to Mena Creek Falls requires entry to a automobile since there are not any excursions or public transport choices.
Subsequently, this waterfall pit-stop is an ideal scenic route detour on an East Coast journey, whether or not heading south from Innisfail or north from Mission Seaside.
Since there are two entry factors, instructions will rely upon whether or not you’re coming from the north or the south.
From Innisfail head south on the Bruce Hwy and take a proper onto Boogan Street. Comply with this street till it reaches a T-intersection within the tiny township of South Johnston. Take a left right here and comply with this street till you attain Mena Creek Falls in your proper.
Heading north on the Bruce Freeway, head for Silkwood. Flip left on the petrol station (Silkwood Japoon Street) and comply with this till the intersection beside Silkwood State College. Flip proper right here, cross the bridge then, flip left. Comply with this street till you attain Mena Creek Falls (there are indicators to Paronella Park).
Tip: In the event you’re seeking to hire a automotive in Far North Queensland or the Australian East Coast, I’d advocate utilizing RentalCars.com to check one of the best offers and affords. This works equally to Skyscanner, just for rental vehicles quite than flights. For long-distance and finances campers, I’ve had nice experiences with Spaceships vans.
What to Anticipate at Mena Creek Falls
In the event you’d simply desire to take a look at a roadside waterfall on a pit-stop, then Mena Creek Falls is ideal. We solely spent the higher a part of an hour exploring the waterfall, since warning indicators for crocodiles didn’t make us too obsessed with swimming right here.
Regardless, we loved our time snapping some pictures from the highest of the waterfall and from the suspension bridge. We additionally took the brief rainforest monitor discovered subsequent to the bogs reverse the grassy park space beside the autumn. This results in a viewing platform beneath Mena Creek Falls.
Visiting Paronella Park
Entry Worth: $48
Preferring pure hikes and adventures, the citadel and rainforest park didn’t appear to be one thing I used to be too eager about. In saying that, I perceive that lots of people visiting Mena Cree Falls may even wish to discover the previous citadel and backyard.
You’ll be able to enter the park on the ticket workplace simply across the bend from Mena Creek Falls. Right here, you’ll get some details about the park earlier than being in your technique to discover the labyrinth of castles, bridges, tunnels, secret staircases, and fountains constructed by Jose Paronella.
You’ll be able to pay at arrival or, for extra comfort, simply ebook an admission ticket in your cellphone utilizing this hyperlink.
Extra Issues to do close to Innisfail and the Cassowary Coast
I hope that you just’ve loved the information and pictures from Mena Creek Falls and Paronella Park within the unimaginable Far North Queensland. For extra concepts on hikes, waterfalls and different adventures within the space, try the checklist under.
In any other case, for a fast checklist, try this information to one of the best waterfalls in Cairns and surrounds, greatest mountain climbing trails or this complete information to one of the best issues to do in Cairns and the Tropical North.
MORE PHOTOS OF MENA CREEK FALLS
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