Discovery Parks Assistant Manager: Why I Love My Job

Assistant Park Manager Kerri Parker talks about Discovery Parks – Emerald Beach and lets us in on some secrets of this jewel of the New South Wales coast.

I’m originally from… Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. I moved up about 17 years ago. I live at Sapphire, which is two beaches down from here.  I just love it here. I love the beach and the atmosphere of Coffs Harbour. Coffs is full of people from everywhere, so it’s a really lovely little town. Everyone is very friendly and accepting. I wouldn’t want to go back to Sydney at all, I love this life.

I’ve worked here… for about four years. We used to go on camping holidays… when my children (now 20 and 22) were younger. We had a Jayco caravan and every long weekend we were away. 

While you’re in the area I recommend visiting… Red Rock [a small hamlet in the northern beaches of the Coffs Harbour]. It’s on the river and the beach. 

We’re a very family-friendly park. We have lots of children’s activities, a water park, jumping pillow, and jungle jive indoor soft play area. A lot of families feel safe because the park is very enclosed. You’re not on highways or on main roads. 

The beach is really close. It’s a 50-metre walk down to the beach. It’s a beautiful little beach – there are a lot of kangaroos and wildlife to be seen as well. 

Our main attractions aren’t very far away. There’s the Big Banana and Dolphin Marine Magic. The Dolphin Marine show is very personal. It’s an interactive show. The kids get to touch and feel and kiss the dolphins and seals. The jetty area is also beautiful and there’s a lot of whale watching to be seen in the area.

The good thing about a holiday like this is… the good thing about a holiday like this is the parents get to have a break because the kids meet other kids. Parents love it because they can chill out and relax. The kids play or go to kids’ club. We have movies on each night in the holidays. 

You see new friendships blossom… some people met through here, they weren’t friends before but because they’ve been coming for years and they see each other the same time they become friends and their kids become friends, too. 

When I’m not working you’ll find me… at the beach. I love water skiing. My husband and I have a boat. We’re real beach people. We’ll go down most mornings. The water temperature is gorgeous. 

I would never go back to Sydney. I love it up here, it’s a really lovely spot. It’s a really good spot for bringing up kids. 

I enjoy my job because… every day is different. You meet a lot of new people, but then we also have a lot of regulars so you build up a rapport and a relationship with the guests over the years who return every year.

This interview was published in G’DAY Magazine.