03-AUG-2016
The long wait
Maybe waiting for a boat to come back to the marina... the girl caught my eye, it was quite
late into the afternoon.
03-AUG-2016
Marina (2)
A second photo taken at the Marina - see yesterday's image for details.
03-AUG-2016
Marina (1)
Australia's premier marina, Cairns Marlin Marina provides first-class facilities
and customer service for a diverse fleet including some of the world's most advanced super yachts.
On the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Marlin Marina is the gateway to spectacular cruising grounds.
The state-of-the-art floating marina, in the heart of Cairns city, features 261 berths accommodating a variety of cruising vessels,
including super yachts up to 140 metres. Cairns Marlin Marina is a short walk to the tropical swimming Lagoon, 5 star hotels, shopping, dining,
casino and the city's vibrant nightlife. The Cairns Marlin Marina is just 10 minutes
from the Cairns International Airport and 5 minutes from the Cairns marine and super yacht refit precinct.
[Notes from website]
02-AUG-2016
The lecture
The Park's current owners rediscovered the almost lost park and
envisaged reviving Jose's Dream with his appreciation for beauty and warm hospitality.
To access images of the park (day and night) the bats in the tunnel
and much more, go to www.paronellapark.com.au/highres
Last photo by me of the Paronella Park 2016.
02-AUG-2016
A close up of detail
This area was quite shaded so the little Lumix came in handy.
I'm near the end of
the photos taken in this park.
We have been working in the garden doing some repairs after the horrible weather we've been having.
A weeping rose dragged down the support and Dick is busy cementing in a much
stronger post. A couple of other shrubs were ripped right out of the ground. Most will
have to wait until the next bout of bad weather passes through.
02-AUG-2016
Jose's Dream
Not everyone's dreams are fulfilled. Jose Paronella's dream was to build a castle. He
chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park.
On 13 acres beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic areas at the lakeside,
tennis courts, tunnels and bridges, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of
7000 tropical plants and trees.
He passed away in 1948 leaving a wife, daughter and son. They continued to
look after the park until 1977 when it was sold. In 1979 a fire swept
through the Castle leaving only the walls and the Turret as a reminder of what had been.
02-AUG-2016
Seats & stairs in the greenery
Anything that stands still seems to have something growing on it.
Posting my photo early in case we lose power again.
02-AUG-2016
Water feature
North Queensland's first hydro electric plant was built in 1933 to power the 5 ha (13 acre)
park, and the castle grounds were ready to welcome the public in 1935.
In 1979 a fire swept through the Castle leaving only the walls and the Turret as a
reminder of what had been, and in 1986 Cyclone Winifred tested the Park's endurance once again.
With help of the Paronella family Jose's story was written; paths were uncovered, buildings repaired,
trees identified and a Museum created in the original home built by Jose
for his family. Cyclone Larry in 2006 added another chapter of endurance to the
story, and the dream continued once again.
2009 saw the refurbishment of the original hydro turbine which once
again provides power for the entire park.
A safety warning not to swim because of crocodiles
02-AUG-2016
Hearing the story
The tour stopped and everyone (except me) crowded into an indoor relic of the past
to hear more of the story.
02-AUG-2016
Taking the guided tour
Today visitors are taken on a range of guided tours, the story is told and the highlights of the Park shown through the day and into the night.
Paronella Park is eco-certified and heritage listed. Efforts today focus on maintaining the property while staying true to its historic and eco values.
Here you see one of the many pathways through the tropical trees and undergrowth.
02-AUG-2016
A Spaniard's Dream
Quoting from a leaflet given out to those doing the tour, it reads as follows.
"Why do I do it, people ask, it is because I wish to do something.
I make my money in sugar industry and in selling my farms. I have
travelled the world twice and never have I seen
anything as beautiful as places you have in Queensland.
People smile and say Paronella, he is mad - stupid - to
work so hard and to spend so much money this way!
Why does he not sit down and rest? That is not my way.."
02-AUG-2016
The Catalonian connection
José Paronella arrived in nearby Innisfail, Queensland, Australia in 1913, having sailed from his homeland, Catalonia,
in northern Spain to plan a splendid life for himself and his fiancée Matilda.
He applied for Commonwealth naturalization in 1921, identifying his place of origin as La Vall in the province of Jarona.
In fact his full name was José Pedro Enrique Paronella, and he was born on 26 February 1887, in La Vall de Santa Creu,
a hamlet in the province of Gerona, north-eastern Catalonia. José worked hard for 11 years, creating his wealth by buying, improving and selling cane farms.
While travelling through the beautiful countryside he discovered a virgin forest alongside spectacular Mena Creek Falls - perfect for his dream.
Upon returning to Spain, José discovered that Matilda had married another! Determined to sail back with a bride José proposed to Margarita,
Matilda's younger sister. One year later the happy newlyweds were ship-bound for Australia and by 1929 had purchased the land of José's dreams.
He first built the grand 47-step staircase
to shift building materials between the lower and upper level. Here the fun-loving couple had their cottage hand built of stone,
and moved in on Christmas Eve.
Inspired by childhood memories of Catalan castles José and his workers set to work designing an entertainment area.
Their fingerprints in the cement foundations remain as testament to their extraordinary effort that guaranteed joyous times.
A movie theatre transformed on weekends into a huge ballroom with live bands who entertained while a massive ball of mirrors spun from the ceiling to reflect
a dazzle of pink and blue lights.
Surrounding their home and castle, more than 7000 trees were planted including an
avenue of Kauris that tower now like cathedral spires in a sacred forest.
North Queensland's first hydro electric plant was built in 1933 to power the 5 ha (13 acre) park,
and the castle grounds were ready to welcome the public in 1935.
Since his death, a fire, a cyclone and several floods have badly damaged the park and the buildings. [Wikipedia]