In 1932 Jose then began work on the 'Spanish-style Castillo'

The concrete structures, which have been damaged by flood, fire and weathering, are surrounded by lush vegetation which enhances the sense of discovery, and romantic qualities of ruined structures contribute to a strong sense of place. The strong aesthetic qualities of Paronella Park are enhanced by the emphasis placed on contrast which creates a series of clearly defined spaces which enable a variety of vistas and differing perspectives, intimacy and openness, and light and shade.

	In Madrid, Paronella was particularly impressed with the cafe by the water in the Botanic Gardens, and was also impressed by the work of Antonio Gaudi. He created garden elements inspired by those in the Alcazar Garden in Seville

Jose made 600 planter pots and 8000 ballistrade inserts using sand from the creek and railway lines as supports

Paronella restricted the cost of his ambitious project to construct a 'Spanish-style Castillo' and commercial pleasure garden by using second hand and locally available materials. These materials included sand and gravel from the creek, discarded cane train tracks as reinforcement for the concrete, timber from nearby abandoned houses for the framing to the cottage and for the formwork to the concrete structures, and clay from his property for the exterior render.

The exterior render was made from the clay dug from the site. Initially a cave was created in the side of a ridge in the lower section of the property, and this was gradually increased until it formed a tunnel through the ridge. This tunnel was incorporated into the design of the Park as the 'tunnel of love' connecting the 'palm grove' to the 'fernery'. The clay render was initially the rich red colour of the local soil, but this colour faded due to weathering and the buildings were soon whitewashed annually. The render was applied with a rough finish, and hand-prints are visible on the 'Cafe by the Pool'.

... This tunnel was incorporated into the
design of the Park as the 'tunnel of love' ...

Paronella Park from across the top of Mena Falls in the early years

Paronella did much of the work himself. He also employed a canecutter (who had worked as a carpenter in Malta) and the canecutter's nephew to work on the project full-time. He also made use of the large number of unemployed men who had arrived in the Innisfail region during this period, and exchanged food and shelter for labour.

Paronella first constructed a stair linking the lower section of the property adjoining the rockpool to the upper section above the cliff fronting the road. This stair is now referred to as 'the grand staircase', and it was used to carry the sand, gravel and clay to the upper section, and the materials Paronella introduced to the site including cement, steel rails and timber to the lower section.

Next Paronella constructed the cottage, now used as the tea rooms, overlooking the falls. This enabled him to move his wife Margarita and daughter Teresa to the property from the cane farm at Mourilyan. The cottage, which was not constructed in the Moorish inspired style used for the other structures in the Park, comprised four main rooms, an entrance foyer and bathroom, with an attic with dormer windows. The building reportedly had the first indoor plumbing in the region, and was constructed with a timber frame, stone walls (initially unrendered) and casement windows. The family moved into the house on Christmas Eve 1931.

The 'tunnel of love' connects 'palm grove' to the 'fernery'

The 'Cafe by the Pool', inspired by the cafe by the water in the Madrid Botanic Gardens, was constructed in the lower section of the property to service the picnic area adjacent to the rockpool. Margarita ran the tea rooms ('Cafe by the Pool'), and Montserrat Gabasa was employed as a housemaid, as well as assisting Margarita serve afternoon teas and helping on weekends with visitors at the gate. Eventually her brother Richard was also employed to assist Jose in the Park. Changing cubicles and toilets were constructed near the picnic area, and a tennis court and music pavilion were constructed nearby.

In 1932 their second child Joseph was born. Jose then began work on the 'Spanish-style Castillo' which some considered to be a self-indulgent personal folly, but which he believed would attract tourists to the Park.

The 'castle' was clearly visible from the nearby main road. The ornamental structure had several levels with external staircases, balconies, parapets and squared planter pots. Paronella maintained a small museum in the structure, and the rooftop formed a viewing platform. The castle contained a theatre/ballroom with stage, which was intended to be used as a reception centre. The entrance comprised a loggia covered in bamboo with a fountain pool stocked with goldfish. Later, a picture theatre was installed, and the room was decorated with textured walls with Spanish pictures, blue velvet drapes edged with gold braid and fringing for the windows, red curtains for the stage, canvas seats, and Black Bean timber parquetry flooring. A large revolving mirror ball (made in the United States of America with 1270 mirrored facets) was installed, and coloured lights were used to create spectacle. An ice cream parlour, cafe, kitchen, bakery and laundry were also installed.

	Modelled on European designs Poured reinforced concrete Jose made 600 planter pots and 8000 ballistrade inserts Jose used railway lines as steel supports He never drew plans of dimensions, just rough outlines in a sandbox. He utilised nature wherever possible, eg: gravity fed fountain. Rendered with hands Jose used remarkablly sophisticated designs on items such as the staircase and the hydro electricity building.