Once Upon a Time......

Once upon a time...

In 1913, José arrived in Northern Queensland from Spain to plan a splendid life for his betrothed, Matilda.  He worked hard for 11 years, building wealth by farming sugar cane.  During his time working he discovered a beautiful piece of land next to a tall waterfall which he thought would be perfect for creating his dream.

When José returned to Spain he realised that Matilda was no longer waiting for him and in fact had married another man!  So José turned to her younger sister, Margarita, and proposed marriage to her.  Margarita accepted and together they came to Australia, to live at the land he named Paronella Park, and where José began to build the dream he held so dearly for so long.

Inspired by Catalonian castles, José and his work crew built a huge staircase from the bottom of the waterfall to the top of the ill.  José also built a lovely stone cottage where Margarita could live happily.  They also planted over 7,000 trees so their garden was like a magical wonderland.  Then José and his crew set about building a magnificent castle, including a movie theatre and a huge ballroom, compete with Australia’s first-ever mirror ball, which hung proudly from the ceiling and which reflected dazzling pinks and blues across the walls and floor of the ballroom.

Soon José and Margarita started to invite people to stay at Paronella and guests were awe-inspired by the beautiful castle, tennis courts made with crushed termite mounds, pavilions, balconies, gravity-fed fountains, a lovers lane, an avenue of towering kauri trees, and even a museum.

José used to take guests out on his little boat to glide across the pond at the bottom of the waterfall, and even frightened ladies by taking the boat right under the waterfall to a lovely cave behind, but not before giving the ladies an umbrella first!  

The waterfall became extremely important as it fuelled the hydro-electric plant for the property, and Paronella Park was the fist property in the region to have real electricity. Margarita even made ice cream for her guests – something that was very rare in Northern Queensland!

Now, José and Margarita have passed away, and although their children cared for Paronella Park for many years thereafter, cyclones and fire destroyed many sections of the park, and it lay quietly in the forest for 17 years, allowing nature to reclaim the land.  That was, until Mark and Judy, who bought the property in 1993, rediscovered the remaining castle and its surrounds and could easily envisage what must have been a truly remarkable park.  They quickly contacted Teresa, José and Margarita’s daughter, and together they discussed what Paronella looked like in its heyday.

Mark and Judy believe it is important to keep Paronella Park as close to its original state as possible, and not to cover it up with new building materials.  They have focused on ensuring its state of decay is forever stalled, and have opened it once again to people who wish to enjoy its beauty and splendour.