Park life
Holidays with Kids chats with the CEO of NRMA Parks and Resorts, paul davies, about the brand’s expanding portfolio of holiday parks and his top tips for a perfect park stay.
NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Paul Davies shares his top tips for a perfect park stay.
With a long and prestigious career in tourism, NRMA Parks and Resorts’ CEO, Paul Davies, believes that the travel industry is inspiring in that it brings people together, generates amazing experiences and memories, and helps to broaden the mind and mutual understanding. It is also critical to supporting jobs and communities in regional Australia, one of the reasons the NRMA is investing in growing and upgrading its portfolio of 38 holiday parks.
The $2.4 million upgrade of cabins and amenities currently being undertaken at NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park is a perfect example of this investment. Conveniently located on the main road into town, NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park is already a great base in Bathurst. The new amenities will complement the existing pool and recreational area, making it an even better spot to relax with easy access to explore the history of the town, or enjoy the many events in the area, including the famous Mount Panorama motor racing circuit.
NRMA Parks and Resorts also recently added NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park on the Fraser Coast, north of Hervey Bay, to its portfolio. A real hidden gem, the park is nestled between the white sands of Woodgate Beach and a national park, and has numerous powered sites for caravans and tents along with 20 cabins and a popular
beachfront café. The beach is protected by Fraser Island and offers all-year-round safe swimming. You might even be lucky enough to see loggerhead turtles hatch on the beach in summer.
Paul and his team strive to provide a level of consistent standards, so customers can expect a high quality of offering no matter where they are staying. But they also want to ensure that they showcase the local differences of regional locations and keep a very personal approach to service through park management teams.
Paul believes holiday parks provide a unique environment for social connection of all ages and space for kids to run around while adults can unwind, all in some of the best natural settings in the country.
“People wouldn’t dream of talking to someone in a hotel corridor, but they make friends for life at a holiday park over a barbecue with their neighbour,” he says.
As well as reaching out to holiday park neighbours, Paul encourages holiday park guests to take time to explore the local area and to take advantage of unique local experiences that the knowledgeable park managers can recommend.
With a 10-year old-son and eight-year-old daughter, Paul’s family loves staying at the parks when they need both chill-out time and opportunities for exploring or learning. “We like to dive into local shops or markets, testing a little local language along the way for fun, but also having a great base to come back to.” nrmaparksandresorts.com.au