Glistening waterfalls, stone staircases covered in lush green moss and a pond with hundreds of whimsical lily pads creates one of Australia’s best kept gems.
Nestled between more than 7000 trees, a quaint Spanish castle was built almost one hundred years ago by Jose Paronella where he turned 13 acres of tropical Queensland scrub into a majestic dream.
Covering the reinforced concrete castle with clay and cement by hand, fingerprints can still be seen from the work of Mr Paronella and his wife Margarita after they bought the property in 1929.
Hidden gem: The quaint Spanish castle (pictured) is tucked away in Queensland’s north and has been there almost 100 years
After first buying 13 acres of shrub land in 1929, Spanish man Jose Paronella turned his castle dream (pictured) into a reality
The castle, called Paronella Park, (pictured) was built with reinforced concrete by Mr Paronella and his wife Margarita
Green with envy: The humble castle is nestled between more than 7000 trees which were planted by the Spanish family
Like a dream: Pristine waterfalls and luscious rain forests surround the stone balconies of the historic castle (pictured)
Just like walking into a fairy tale, the castle is surrounded by hundreds of lily pads (pictured) and majestic greenery
Equipped with a decorative ball covered in more than 1200 tiny mirrors, two tennis courts, a children’s playground and a fountain, Paronella Park has something endearing for wandering eyes to peruse.
About an hour and a half south of Cairns, it’s an idealistic location to snap the perfect Instagram photo or to say your vows.
The Spanish castle brings a taste of Europe to north Queensland dripping with history.
The humble castle, once just a sugar cane farmer’s distant dream, stuns during the day or under the stars among the rows of incredible trees.
Once a sugar cane farmer’s distant dream, the castle stuns during the day or night amoung the rows of incredible trees
About an hour and a half south of Cairns, it’s an idealistic location to snap the perfect Instagram photo or to say your vows
The Spanish castle brings a taste of Europe to north Queensland dripping with history (pictured)
Never ending trees: Just like stepping into a fairy tale fortress, the charming castle was first built for public pleasure
During its prime, the castle was the host of weekly Saturday night movies in the theatre as well as dances and parties
Paronella Park (pictured) sits tucked between tropical rain forest with stonework balconies and tidy fence
Just like stepping into a fairy tale fortress, the charming castle was first built for public pleasure which included a theatre for movies every Saturday as well as dances and parties.
With aspects similar to many famous Spanish castles, Paronella Park sits tucked between tropical rain forest with stonework balconies and tidy fence.
Featuring an outer stairway, ground floor, upper balcony and green shutters, the castle was sold out of the family in 1977, hit by floods, Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Yasi but has been restored to continue the Spanish heritage in the heart of Queensland.
Fingerprints can still be seen from the work of Mr Paronella and his wife Margarita after they bought the property in 1929
The castle was sold out of the family in 1977 and has since been hit by floods, Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Yasi
Current owners have restored the castle (pictured), keeping the unique Spanish heritage in the heart of Queensland