Go wild about whales this winter

More whales than ever are likely to pass our shores this year! To celebrate the 2010 whale watching season in NSW, we've launched Wild About Whales, our new website for all things whales in New South 'Whales'!

The new site is packed with facts and research on whale species, the best places to spot whales along the coast, the latest whale news, blogs, and information on whale festivals and events throughout the state this winter. Best of all, you can check in daily for the latest whale sighting updates through Twitter, Facebook, and our interactive 'sightings map'. Fancy yourself as a photographer or movie maker? Send through your whale snaps and clips, and you may find them uploaded for the world to see!

Kids, enter our Wild About Whales colouring competition by 30 July and go into the draw to win a Montague Island whale watching tour!

Visit www.wildaboutwhales.com.au

It's a Wild, Wild World these school holidays

Wondering what to do with the kids over the school holidays? Check out Wild Wild World , your online guide to a vast array of experiences for kids (of all ages) in NSW's national parks and nature destinations. The website is regularly updated and there are nearly 100 guided activities listed for the winter break alone.

There's frog spotting in the Blue Mountains, whale watching at Muttonbird Island, after dark wildlife spotlight tours in Lane Cove River Tourist Park, adventures for little pirates on Fort Denison and butterfly spotters on Shark Island, glow worm discoveries at Morton National Park, Junior Ranger adventures around the state and heaps more - plenty to keep your energy-fuelled tots and teens entertained over the holiday period.

Visit www.wildwildworld.com.au

NSW declares its 800th park

A 2,800 hectare reserve in the spectacular Capertee Valley has become NSW's 800th reserve.

The creation of Capertee National Park means there are now more than 6.76 million hectares protected forever under the NSW National Parks system.

Our newest national park, located about 50km north of Lithgow, includes 15km of the Capertee River, and provides habitat for a number of threatened plant and animal species, including the nationally endangered regent honeyeater and spotted-tailed quoll. The park is also rich in Aboriginal and colonial heritage and will offer visitors a host of new opportunities for nature recreation and relaxation.

Find out more

Entries open for New England Photo Comp

New England National Park turns 75 this year and to celebrate, we're calling for your outstanding images!

The New England National Park Photography Competition is offering more than $5,000 in prizes across five categories spanning world heritage, landscapes, people, up close shots and a category for under 18's. Photos will be judged by a panel of photography experts and enthusiasts, with finalists displayed in a month-long exhibition at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre in September-October. The competition closes 30 July.

Find out more.

A solitary experience worth sharing

It was once considered the most isolated island in NSW; even today its harsh and rugged terrain is accessible only by helicopter and open to the public just two weekends each year. Be one of the few to set foot on intriguing South Solitary Island, off the coast of Coffs Harbour, when it opens later this month (24, 25 & 31 July and 1 August).

Tours vary in length, with visitors enjoying a 10-minute helicopter flight to the island where they will join a NSW National Parks Discovery ranger for a guided tour of the island's special natural, cultural and historic heritage. Visitors on the first weekend will also get to tour the island’s impressive lighthouse, the last kerosene-operated station in NSW. With the annual whale migration in full swing, South Solitary is also a spectacular vantage point for spotting the majestic travellers on their journey north through Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Bookings are essential - find out more.

Chill or thrill at the NSW Snowies

Calling all alpine adventurers, thrill-seekers and snow lovers – winter is turning Kosciuszko's peaks powder-white once more, and promising another outstanding season in our southern alps. The NSW Snowy Mountains are home to four quality ski villages, offering a wide array of on-snow accommodation, activities and facilities.

A winter visit to Kosciuszko National Park is a must-do – get the real deal and check out Snow NSW for the latest all-inclusive snow holiday deals at Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snowfields.

Volunteers needed for Oxfam bush challenge

This winter, the annual Oxfam Trailwalker event returns to the bushland of northern Sydney. Over the weekend of 27-29 August, 500 teams of 4 will embark on one of the world's toughest group challenges, trekking 100km through rugged terrain to raise funds to tackle world poverty issues.

Each year, Oxfam relies on generous support from the community to make the event a success and is once again calling for volunteers for this year's event. Various volunteer roles are available throughout the event weekend for people of all ages, fitness levels and skills, including trail marshals, communications officers, physiotherapists, green teams and more – visit the website for details.

Spare a minute for our native wildlife

You can play a part in caring for Australia’s precious wildlife and help scientists learn more about the habitats of some of our native species by participating in the 2010 Community Wildlife Survey.

The survey invites you to share your knowledge of wildlife in your neighbourhood by mapping current and past sightings of species you have seen or heard, from wombats, koalas, emus and kangaroos to threatened birds and invasive species such as cane toads. Maps are provided for you to mark the locations of animal sightings.

The results of the online survey will be added to information collected in a similar 2006 survey. The findings will help conservation scientists identify areas where habitat is changing and inform efforts for the recovery of threatened species, populations and ecological communities, and reductions in the impact of invasive species.

Be a part of it - click here to start the survey.

Legislation strikes right balance for parks and people

Last month, the NSW Government passed the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Visitors and Tourists) Bill 2010, a series of amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Act that seek to strike the right balance between connecting people to nature and the conservation of park values.

The amendments to the Act clarify, without broadening, the range of purposes for which leases and licences may be granted in national parks; strengthen the checks and balances in the Act relating to environmental impacts of visitor facilities and activities by introducing new sustainability measures; and secure the protection of the natural and cultural values within the park system. They also provide more opportunities for the public to have a say in what happens in their local parks.

Find out more.

A new future for our Riverina forests

The river red gum forests of the NSW Riverina are one of our most extraordinary landscapes, harbouring an abundance of plants, animals and birds, and holding special significance to Aboriginal people, while playing an important role in the local and regional communities that surround them.

In May, the NSW Government announced the establishment of more than 100,000 hectares of river red gum parks in the region from July 1, forming - together with existing parks in Victoria - the largest area of protected river red gums in the world. A special website has been set up to provide information and updates.

Find out more.

What's On

For more upcoming events, tours and activities - www.wildwildworld.com.au