New national park announced for WA

2016 marks the Centennial of the National Parks Service and what better way to honour this amazing historic event in human history than announcing a new national park in Australia? The Department of Parks and Wildlife has recently pledged to create the Abrolhos Islands National Park, in order for its unique natural beauty to be conserved for our children and our children’s children. Popularly referred to as ‘the Jewel in the Crown of the mid-west coast’, the expansive land area has remained largely untapped, with the new proposals set up to ensure better visitor facilities as well as better ease of access onto the Western Australian islands. Situated off the coast near Geraldton and a short drive from Perth, the park’s proposed activities will include diving on coral reefs, sightseeing, walking, fishing and whale watching. It will also explore the history of several onsite shipwrecks, including Batavia, one of the most grim shipwreck stories in Australia’s history. www.dpaw.wa.gov.au