Kimberley National Park set to be the biggest

A new national park which will be the biggest in Australia is set to be created in the Kimberley. Following an agreement between the State Government, Rio Tinto and Alcoa of Australia, more than 175,000 hectares of land on the plateau can be included in the proposed Kimberley National Park. The national park is proposed to extend over more than two million hectares and encompass the existing Prince Regent, Mitchell River and Lawley River national parks. Multiple daily flight options are available from Perth to Broome (the gateway to the Kimberley) year round, with direct flights from Melbourne operating twice a week. During peak season, direct flights are also on offer from Sydney and Brisbane.

Community festival celebrates 2015 whale shark season

In celebration of the 2015 whale shark season, Exmouth visitors are encouraged to take part in the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival 2015. The annual event will see bands, a float parade and plenty of family entertainment take over Exmouth between May 21 to 24. Special discounts on whale shark swims will be available on Sunday May 24, allowing visitors a great opportunity to swim with the world’s largest fish. Whale sharks visit Ningaloo Reef annually from March until August, allowing visitors the opportunity to have a face-to-fin encounter with the gentle giant – which can grow up to 18 metres in length.

Lovers of literature to revel in Readers and Writers Festival

Those with a passion for writing can explore their love of literature at this year’s Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival, from May 29 to 31. The festival’s schedule has been released and includes an aspiring and emerging writer’s workshop on Friday May 29. Authors headlining this year’s festival include best-selling author John Marsden, Miles Franklin award-winning author Michelle De Krester, and stand-up comic Sami Shah.

WA winemaker inducted into Australian Businesswoman's Hall of Fame

Margaret River winemaker Vanya Cullen of Cullen Wines has been inducted into the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Hall of Fame. Vanya has earned an international reputation for winemaking by using the greenest methods possible and has demonstrated it’s possible to run a successful business while still being mindful of the environment. The Australian Businesswomen’s Network has been recognising and profiling Australia’s leading female entrepreneurs through the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame for the past 17 years.

New restaurant embraces Broome’s multi-culturalism

Broome’s Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa have opened a new restaurant to replace the Thai Pearl. Rambutan embraces the legacy of its predecessor, delivering vibrant South East Asian cuisine with a broader range of influences and a fresh approach. The transition is integral to the Resort embracing local synergies between the Malay, Singaporean and Indonesian concept of ‘Rambutan’, which speaks to the history of Broome. The menu at Rambutan will capture something to suit everyone’s taste buds; light, fragrant, spicy, savoury and sweet.

Cape Lodge releases cooking class calendar

Enjoy a new lunch experience at Cape Lodge, which is located in WA’s Margaret River region, with cooking classes now available to those wanting to refine their culinary skills. Guests will learn how to prepare a superb three course menu which can be easily recreated at home, followed by a three course lunch at Cape Lodge Restaurant. The cooking classes and long table lunch run from May to October.

Breaksea Island Tours embrace Albany’s history

Breaksea Island Nature Reserve near Albany, which was the last link to Australia for the first Gallipoli-bound soldiers in 1914, has become more accessible with the introduction of public helicopter tours. Until recently, Breaksea Island’s wildlife and rugged coastline has been limited due to difficulty accessing the area safely by boat. Helicopter tours allow visitors to get a bird’s eye view of the area before landing on the island for a greater appreciation and access to the heritage-listed lighthouse and keepers’ cottages.

New accommodation for the adventurous traveller

A new hostel is set to open at Fremantle Prison in spring 2015, allowing visitors to sleep in actual 19th century prison cells. Fremantle Prison YHA will take over the space which was previously the women’s division of the World-Heritage listed building, turning it into a unique stay for adventurous travellers. The hostel offers all the latest facilities for travellers including kitchens, large common areas, TV rooms, a laundry, recreational activities, luggage storage, Wi-Fi and computers.

Discover a new level of tranquillity in WA’s Southern Forests

WA’s Southern Forests region is the perfect autumn getaway.

In this part of the world, clean air and a magical landscape of karri, marri and tingle forests meet vine-clad hillsides, fertile orchards, dramatic cliffs and white sandy beaches.

The Southern Forests is one of the South West’s most popular regions for tourism during the cooler months due to its diverse experiences – from beautiful walking trails and unique gourmet offerings, to relaxation retreats and exciting wildlife encounters.

One of WA’s best kept foodie secrets is the black truffle industry in the town of Manjimup, which produce more of the world’s most edible commodity that the rest of Australia combined.

Each year, Manjimup hosts the Truffle Kerfuffle Southern Forest Food Festival. The event highlights the range of cultures which brought about the ability to produce the foods grown in the Southern Forests, the range of foods themselves, as well as a focus on the black truffle. This year's event will run from June 26 to 28.

For the adventure seekers, you can’t go past the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in Walpole, which gives a bird’s eye view of some of the tallest timber giants on earth – the majestic tingle trees. Further inland in the town of Pemberton is the Gloucester Tree, a 72 metre high karri tree equipped with metal steps which visitors can climb.

Those interested in visiting the area over the cooler months are encouraged to look at special deals currently being offered, ahead of planning an autumn or winter escape.

The Southern Forests is located 307 kilometres south of Perth in WA’s South West. The region begins just outside of Manjimup and encompasses Pemberton, Northcliffe and finishes as far south as Walpole.