Afternoon & Evening Tour Of Paronella Park

Our tour was amazing! Karlos was an amazing guide with lots of knowledge and so friendly. Our tour was only a group of 6 in total so made it very personal. I wanted to see a Cassowary in the wild and I wasnt disappointed as we got to see 4! A dad and 2 babies on the side of the road and then another as we pulled up to Etty Bay. Paronella Park did not disappoint. The light show at night was amazing. So pleased we chose this tour company.

What a wonderful day tour with Karlos from Tropic Tours. He is full of knowledge and talkative. Highly recommend this tour and tour group. Would definitely do more tours with them

Not really knowing what to expect, the guide, Simon, was the font of all knowledge, indigenous, colonial to present day. His personal connection to Paronella Park gave more gravitas. It was a long day well spent. The included meal at Mena Creek hotel was not as I expected but served the purpose. Further on Simon, not being very sure footed, he was so helpful and kind with the care shown & given.

Two things: 1. I personally don't think Paronella Park is all that cool. It is a few small concrete buildings in the forest. The story is just that a man built them and then they got flooded. Not exactly a magical fairy tale. 2. I don't think that the other locations on the tour or the additional info on the tour added much.

We did a tour with TROPIC TOURS to PARONELLA PARK ETTY BAY & had dinner at a pub. It was a great day seeing PARONELLA PARK during the day & night. The tour guide was very informative & recommend his tour.

I booked this tour to return to Paronella Park. Simon was our guide, he is knowledgeable friendly and well organised. He has good local Indigenous cultural knowledge and explains the stories with great drama. His connection to Paronella is amazing and shared personal details and theories. Babinda Boulders and Etty Bay were definitely bonus stops. Home cooked afternoon tea was delightful. We had a most excellent adventure.

It was something different , great informed guide we were well fed and was defenitely interesting , saw casawarys X 4 .Pleasent change from the usual northern trips to head south into cmpletely different landscapes ,afternoon and into the evening was a great change to getting up at the crack of dawn

This one is worth doing. The history and tour and both first class Owner operators of TROPIC tours Simon and Renae know their business which makes for easy touring with them. The tour itself is really interesting and informative of lifestyle in the area back of cane cutting days in the early 1900s

We had the unique experience to book and go on all 3 tours with Tropic Tours. We went to Daintree, Paronella Park, and The Tablelands We started with our guide Simon with The Daintree Tours. Our guide Simon was a wealth of information which he gladly shared with our group. We learned so much about plants, animals, the indeginouis people of this area. He taught us to greet the people with Yellada (which means hello). After the Daintree trip we knew we had to go on more excursions. A few days later we booked Paronella Park. Simon didn't disappoint. He kept building the story with interesting facts. We also swam at Babinda Boulders. My husband climbed a boulder and jumped off it into the water below. What a fun day. We wanted to see a Cassowary bird and Simon was on a mission for us to see one and we did! Then we booked The Tablelands. Oh my we tasted cheese, coffee, papaya, chocolates all from this area. The waterfalls were magnificent. For me the best surprise was The Fig Curtain tree. It took my breath away. On all our excursions Simon homemade bakery goodies for us to enjoy with our tea or coffee. Which tour was my favorite? All 3 of them! If you are spending some time in Cairns book all 3 tours. If you can't book all 3 pick one and go. You will not be disappointed.

Amazing trip! Simon was a great guide. We saw beaches, waterfalls and paronella park. Learnt the history about the loction. Worth a trip.

Simon and Renae operate an A++ tour. Of the number of tours we took during our 2 week Australian adventure, the hospitality, information, and service of this tour took the cake (or the banana bread). This is a small group tour and we ended up getting a private tour as a family of 5. Simon, the owner/tour guide, was so passionate about this region, his business, and sharing all the best of it with his guests. Our group ranged from 10-73 years old and Simon went out of his way to ensure we each had the best day, including finding us a bird! The staff at Paronella Park were also some of the most hospitable we met on our journey. People like Meg up in the gift shop, who simply strike up genuine conversation, made us feel so welcomed. We left with so much knowledge and respect for the northern Queensland region and lots of family memories of our trip.

Our tour with Simon to Paronella Park was incredible! Full of wildlife, history, and beautiful scenery. Simon mentioned he couldn’t guarantee cassowary sightings, but somehow we ended up seeing six! It was an unforgettable highlight. Even with a cyclone forming nearby, Simon navigated the day seamlessly and made the experience feel relaxed and safe. He also picked a fantastic local pub for lunch with great food, which clearly reflects his culinary and hospitality background. What truly sets Simon apart is his genuine love for the land and his passion for sharing it with others. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the entire tour special. We’re so grateful we got to experience this hidden gem with him and hope to visit again soon!

Hey Simon, Benjamin here. The wife and I loved the tour. We felt the love you have for the history and your personal connection to Paronella Park. This made the tour much more relatable, interesting and exciting. Thx, see you on the other side, Godspeed. P.S. My balls are OK.

This is an incredible trip, with the best tour guide you could ask for. Simon's passion for the area and his work is evident throughout the tour, he is such a storyteller,bringing each place we visited to life. Paronella Park and the story behind it is simply beautiful. We are so glad we did this trip, Tropic Tours is most definitely 5 star.

Simon provides a wonderful tour while providing plentiful of knowledge and is a great story teller! I highly recommend this tour for anyone that is looking for something a more than just sites to see.

Award winning unique small group trip to Paronella Park; the story started to unfold from the moment myself and husband and our friends (another UK couple) joined Simon on the minibus. So much care has been put into explaining the area, its history, the wildlife and the unique gardens, castle & waterfalls at Paronella park. Renae’s lemon cake & coffee (tea) on the beach was literally icing on the cake! We will tell family & friends about Tropic Tours & hope to be back one day for Tablelands tour.

A fruitful day with our guide Simon, he is enthusiastic and passiomate in telling not only about the park and the rainforest, but also the history and stories behind EVERYTHING. We have such a good time with him, he is definitely the highlight of the trip! Instead of only taking eye-catching photos for social media (though it is still very important), you are going to back home with soul touching memories and stories that tou won't forget.

Fabulous day out with our guide Simon. He was very knowledgeable and passionate and eagle eyed for wildlife spotting. We saw a wild crocodile a wild platypus a cassowary and a night tiger snake, not to mention a huge stick insect. It was a real privilege to see these creatures and a lasting memory!! There's a lot packed into the day, and you can hear aboriginal stories of the land, see the most beautiful scenery, walk, swim or chill. Paronella Park is unique with an interesting human back story. We both had a wonderful day. . nothing was too much trouble and Simon spoke to all of us and looked after us superbly We both highly recommend this trip .

We had a great day out with Simon doing the Paronella Park day/night tour. Along the way we stopped into several places of interest Simon was very interesting with his stories about each place. He also went out of his way to spot 2 Cassowary roaming free. Simon was such a friendly and thoughtful host we thoroughly enjoyed his company. We also did the Mossman Gorge/Daintree Forest tour with this company our tour guide was Karlos we also enjoyed our time with him as well! My husband and I thoroughly recommend tours with Tropic Tours well done to all the team! Do hope we get back up that way again to do the taste of Tableland tour as well!

Simon the tour operator/guide is amazing the knowledge and passion he has for this area is amazing. Everyone should do this tour to Paronella Park with this tour group.I would say for the best experience of this park go on this tour, leave your vehicle in Cairns, you will learn so much about the region and the park. Loved every moment of the day. Even seen a platypus in the wild.

Our tour with Tropic Tours was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish, they were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable. Their storytelling brought the history and culture of the area to life, while their humor kept everyone engaged. What stood out most was their ability to make the tour feel personal, answering every question with patience and enthusiasm. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone felt comfortable and included. The pace was perfect, and we never felt rushed. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone looking for a fun, informative, and memorable tour. Absolutely Breathtaking experience.

Our tour with Tropic Tours was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish, they were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable. Their storytelling brought the history and culture of the area to life, while their humor kept everyone engaged. What stood out most was their ability to make the tour feel personal, answering every question with patience and enthusiasm. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone felt comfortable and included. The pace was perfect, and we never felt rushed. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone looking for a fun, informative, and memorable tour.

Wow! What a fabulous tour. Simon took us on a journey of discovery about Paronella Park and its original owner Jose. Simon fully immersed us in Jose story about adventure, determination, a vision, tragedy and rebirth. We also learnt a lot about the Cassowary Coast line. Babinda boulders was great, the story regarding devil rocks was interesting, Etty beach was beautiful and the home baked afternoon tea was yum. Paronella Park light show was really special. It will be a tour we will remember. Thank you Simon for a wonderful day.

Tour could not have been better. We have been on many good tours, but Simon is the best guide we have ever had - super friendly and kind, with a wealth of information on each part of the tour. Also admired his deep concern for the ecosystems we visited. Paronella Park staff were great as well. Definitely worth the trip.

An unexpectedly amazing day, every stop was breathtaking, Simon was the most gracious and informative host. A must do item for all - add it to your bucket list!!

If you’re looking for an intimate tour with a local expert, THIS IS THE ONE. Simon was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. He owns Tropic Tours with his wife, so this isn’t a huge tour cash cow like many many others you’ll find in Australia. I’m so glad I chose this trip last minute. We saw two cassowaries en route to Etty Bay and we had time to stop to see if the resident croc was out and about, but it was probably too warm for him. We were treated with a lovely tea and lemon cake on the beach which was tasty and special, then dinner at the hotel was great as well. Paronella park has a cool history and tons of flora and fauna to learn about as well. Can’t recommend this tour enough.

An excellent experience. A very interesting area to visit . Simon is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced guide. The trip into the Cassawarry Coast takes you into areas that are both beautiful and historic. Paranella Park is quite amazing and it was great to be able to see it both in the daytime and evening. A cup of tea and home baked lemon cake at Etty Beach with a Cassawarry and his chick being sighted on the way in , what more could one ask for.

WOW. Great trip exploring not just beautiful Paronella Park but serene rock pools and dangerous rock pools; Aboriginal culture and the environment. Then there are the cassowaries WOW. All of this woven together with Simon's commentary. Thanks Tropic tours.

Had the best day with Simon and our small group on the trip to Paronella Park. Having not known much about the place prior, I was amazed at how much I had learnt through Simon. We had a great pub dinner at the Mena Creek Hotel followed by the light display, which topped off an already perfect day! The homemade cake was also lovely during our beach stop. Thank you so much Simon and Renae, I will be recommending to everybody 🙌🏻☺️

This was a great tour well run and so nice to be in a smaller group. My wife and I loved Paronella park and the whole tour. We had Karlos as our tour guide and he was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We also had homemade banana bread for afternoon tea and a great pub dinner. I would highly recommend this Tour.

I had heard of Paronella Park but knew little of its history. After this tour Simon's great stories will be with me for a long, long time. The day was wonderful, due mainly to Simon's in-depth knowledge and passion for the place. Its one thing reading a history book, but quite another to be told stories, both good and tragic, about how the park came to be, its later history and the passion of its current owners. We also had a fabulous time at Babinda Boulders and saw a cassowary at Etty Bay. This was a day out that I would recommend to anyone visiting FNQ and it exceeded all my expectations

The trip is good, covering forest walk/ Cassowary encounter/ Paronella Park. The guide/ driver Simon is amazing and makes a difference. He shared lots of stories and history about the park and animals. Simon made the trip unique and memorable.

A truly personal and informative tour with Simon of the area. It is refreshing to have a tour guide who is passionate and knowledgeable about the places we visited. It was well-paced, the group was small and there was flexibility! We loved Renee’s delicious homemade banana cake that we got for afternoon tea whilst watching a cassowary walking around the beach. What a wonderful day spent! Thank you !

What an absolutely amazing tour! Simon is a natural tour guide - full of interesting stories and fascinating bits of information. We saw a crocodile, platypus and cassowaries. What a treat! Paronella Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the area and this tour is the way to do it!! The group size we had was small and they still ran it, so it was personal, flexible and most importantly enjoyable!

This was an amazing tour to see the lost-then-found-again jungle castle that is Paronella Park. This tour was really special because Simon the guide has a very personal connection to the place and is a good storyteller. We came away with some deep insight into the park and its connection to the local area. We got to see a giant croc, 3 cassowaries and I even got to swim with a platypus, which was pretty special. I can’t rate this tour highly enough. Thank you, Simon and Renae for a magical day out.

Our tour to Paronella Park was highlight of our recent trip to Cairns. An amazing place with very interesting history. Our tour guide Simon was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained. Loved Babinda Boulders and Etty Bay where we saw several cassowaries. Would definitely recommend this tour. Trevor and Marilyn

The park is beautiful. It ended up being just me and my nephew, so we were afforded some flexibility. Simon was very knowledgeable and super friendly. The various locations we visited were nice, and the park itself was lovely. We witnessed a cassowary and chick in the wild. A large croc at a river, and ate at an authentic Australian pub. Simon was great with my sullen teen nephew, pulling him out of his shell. Paranella is quite a distance out of town. This trip provides a lot of other great stops making the journey worthwhile.

The park is beautiful. It ended up being just me and my nephew, so we were afforded some flexibility. Simon was very knowledgeable and super friendly. The various locations we visited were nice, and the park itself was lovely. We witnessed a cassowary and chick in the wild. A large croc at a river, and ate at an authentic Australian pub. Simon was great with my sullen teen nephew, pulling him out of his shell. Paranella is quite a distance out of town. This trip provides a lot of other great stops making the journey worthwhile.

Simply the best - ticked all the boxes for experiences and Simon's commentary throughout the tour interesting and informative.

I really enjoyed this outing on the Cassowary Coast! We had a small group (8 people) lead by Simon who was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the sights, flora, fauna, and history of the spots we visited. Simon took us to some beautiful locales, regaled us with stories, and provided some little known insider information on Paronella Park. He even managed to snag us a peek at two cassowaries wandering near Etty Beach. He encouraged us to participate in discussions and get to know each other, which I really appreciated as a solo traveler. Renae also was wonderful--she quickly and efficiently responded to all questions and provided good information via the Viator site. I would be delighted to go on another tour with Simon and Renae!

Absolute must do when visiting Cairns region. Caters for smaller numbers of tourists making the experience more relaxed and personal, you get to know each person on the trip. Simon is a walking talking encolpedia, he will go out of his way to make the tour an enjoyable, memorable day out. Highly recommend doing one or more of their fantastic tours

Simon is very passionate and knowledgeable about Paronella park. He was very warm and welcoming as a tour leader. He made sure the group felt comfortable and safe together. The tour was fun and educational. It was a fun day out for me as a solo traveler. I definitely recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in the story of a hidden dream of Jose Paronella. Thank you, Simon! Linda :)

Simon's knowledge of the ecology and geology of the Binbinda Boulders, Etty Bay and Paronella Park amazing. The highlight was the personal touch of a home made lemon and coconut cake made for my wife who is coeliac. This tour is a must for anybody staying in the area.

The tour was an incredible experience. Simons knowledge and guidance was nothing short of amazing. A perfect day from start to finish.

The whole day was just sensational, from pickup to drop off. Our tour guide Simon kept us informed and entertained with his knowledge and passion for the tour we were on. A great variety of places we visited and sights we saw. Afternoon tea at Etty Bay with a slice of Renae’s chocolate cake certainly hit the spot. The ultimate destination of Paronella Park and the story behind it was truly remarkable. I highly recommend this tour and I know future travellers will enjoy it also. Many thanks Simon and Renae for an unforgettable experience. Regards, Damon and Jan.

Simon is a fantastic tour guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the area. He makes an effort to speak to everyone individually throughout the day and remembers every name. We went on the afternoon/evening trip that included swimming at Babinda Boulders, tea and cake at Etty Bay beach, a day visit to Paronella Park, dinner at the pub and then a night visit with light show back at Paronella Park. We had the most amazing day and would heartily recommend Tropic Tours to anyone looking for a day trip from Cairns

We spent a full day with Simon learning about the Cassawary Coast and Paronella Park. We went on an adventure and we found treasure. Simon was knowledgeable, interactive and engaging. This was a small group tour - something we didn’t know when we booked but a major bonus. I would highly recommend Tropic Tours. Don’t miss the Paronella Park experience. The afternoon and evening tour is a must do. What you experience in daylight is spectacular but the night time tour is next level. It’s unforgettable and filled with raw beauty. I knew nothing about the story of Paronella Park but now have deep admiration for a man who had a dream and built it! We had a lovely dinner at Mena Creek pub and Renee’s Orange and poppyseed cake was delicious too!

Lynette: Absolutely delightful, informative and engaging private tour. This tour had more than exceeded our expectations. Simon is knowledgeable and attentive, passionately shared his wealth of knowledge of the landscape, flora, fauna, culture, history and titbits about the inhabitants in Cairns and Paranella Park. We were led into this magical ruins, with its inspirational builder and what his vision, determination and grit had built in a span of ten years. Through the exquisite story telling by Simon and the park guide, we were enthralled and totally taken back into time to imagine its grandeur and attraction to the people back in its hay days. We went with no knowledge of the park to totally falling in love with it. Getting back to the park at night was the cherry on top, though it rained, the show still carried a different mystical feel which is a vast contrast in the day. For those with a budget and is willing to go off the beaten path… I highly recommend this tour. We have been taking destination tours over many years and my teen daughter told me that this is her best so far… coming from a near 18 year old young lady, that spoke volumes. Who knows, you may chance upon a Cassowary bird or two like we did! We came across a male and its juvenile as well as a female!! Tiffany: My experience with this tour was that it is very well planned out, and had a lot to offer given the tour guide (simon)’s knowledge in wherever we went as well as further history about the park, and how it linked to his own family tree. As someone who loves learning about history, this was absolutely fascinating and fun for me to be able to walk through Paranella park, and seeing how beautiful the park is even in its present condition. I was also impressed given he managed to let us see 3 to 4 cassowary birds, including a juvenile cassowary. This whole experience was very enriching and very inspiring to hear about his ability to build such a grand place just with the use of materials around him. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who has a love for history, nature or just wants to be inspired by his story😋

What an absolutely wonderful trip! I can’t speak highly enough of Simon and his knowledge. He went above and beyond to make the trip special and I particularly enjoyed having tea and cake with a Cassowary a few metres away! Paronella Park is also very pretty and the story really comes to life with Simon’s knowledge. All I can say is book this tour, you won’t be disappointed.