Western Australia is full of extraordinary experiences and in 2016 there are new hotels, tours and experiences from the tropical outback of the Kimberley to the white beaches of Esperance. Here is our guide to the best new experiences and when to enjoy them.

January - Happy Australia Day!

On 26 January Perth foreshore hosts the largest Australia Day celebration in the country, the City of Perth Skyworks. The event attracts many thousands of spectators each year with spectacular fireworks, an air and water show above and on the iconic Swan River. Watch this stunning 360 footage of last year's display www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWmDM7qSPbc&feature=youtu.be

For a full list of events visit www.westernaustralia.com/uk/Pages/Australia-Day-in-WA.aspx

February - Perth's new waterfront opens with Festival fun

Australia's sunniest city has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years and this is set to continue in 2016 with another three new hotels opening (see 'December' below) and the launch of Elizabeth Quay – a major new waterfront development transforming the centre of Perth with a stunning 2.7 hectare inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, public art, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

In February the space will get its first major event, hosting 25 nights of live music as part of the Perth International Arts Festival. Watch acts such as Leftfield and Jose Gonzalez performing at the edge of the Swan River under the stars. The 2016 festival will open with a grand-scale concert, titled Home, featuring acclaimed local musicians and writers, including Tim Minchin, The Panics, John Butler and Tim Winton. perthfestival.com.au (11 Feb – 6 Mar 2016).

March - New Photographic retreat in the Kimberley

Berkeley River has announced a new four night package starting on 31st March to discover the incredible sunsets, red rocks and wild beaches of the Kimberley Outback. Hosted by Australia's most awarded landscape Fine Art photographer, Tony Hewitt, this retreat combines photographic tutelage with adventure. Soar over the epic landscapes in a helicopter, hike up gorges or meander down the mighty Berkeley River to capture the iconic red gorges. Prices from $4,299 including return transfers departing Kununurra and Darwin, accommodation in private luxury villa, gourmet meals and select beverages and activities include river cruise, guided hikes, fishing adventures and more. berkeleyriver.com.au

April - See Australia's amazing Pink Lake – new for 2016

Soar above this surreal sight in Western Australia on a new 'flight seeing' tour. From above, Lake Hillier appears a solid bubble gum pink, separated from the blue Southern Ocean only by a thin rim of white sand and dense woodland of paperbark and eucalyptus trees. No-one fully knows why the lake is pink. Scientists speculate that the colour comes from a dye created by bacteria that lives in the salt crusts. You can now admire Lake Hillier and the rest of the wild Recherche Archipelago, a protected nature reserve off the coast of Esperance, in a light aircraft. Price is $998 per flight that can seat up to 5 passengers.  experienceesperancetours.com

May – Kimberley cruising on a budget

Lonely Planet listed Western Australia as one of its Best Value Destinations for 2016, stating the State's dream-like destinations are more accessible thanks to the falling Australian dollar. And now, you can enjoy one of the most extraordinary experiences in WA, a cruise along the pristine waters of the Kimberley at a fraction of the price. Ahoy Buccaneers is offering the first ever budget cruise along this, one of the world's last great wildernesses. Travelling on a rigged sailing yacht, their six day cruises travel past thousands of untamed islands, secluded bays and inlets and cost from $1,800 £863 per person (food and touring included).  Accommodation is a choice between cabins (from $2,200) or for the more adventurous, beach camping in a swag.  The boat sleeps a maximum of 19 people and the company pride themselves on offering a five star adventure without the five star expense. Cruises depart from 2 May until November. ahoybuccaneers.com.au

June – Swim with humpback whales AND whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

From June 2016 visitors will be able to swim with humpback whales at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. The world's longest fringing reef has long been regarded as one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks and now the West Australian government has granted licenses for a select number of operators to offer humpback whale swimming experiences too. Western Australia's humpback whale population had steadily recovered since the end of commercial hunting of this species in Australia in 1963. It is now the largest population in the world, with an estimated 30,000 whales migrating along the coast each year. Tours will run from June until October (whale sharks can be seen late March until July).

Take a humpback whale or whale shark swim with new operator Charter 1. Guests also have access to stand-up paddle boards and kayaks on board the company's Concorde cruiser – a purpose built, 14.5 metre expedition power vessel. $385 pp charter1.com.au

Stay at Sal Salis, a luxury eco camp nestled in the white sand dunes of Western Australia's Cape Range National Park, which is adding six new wilderness rents as well as a new Honeymoon Tent for 2016. A 3 night all-inclusive package costs $2,750pp including a whale swim experience. salsalis.com.au

July – Celebrate Australia's oldest pearl farm turning 70 with pearl meat degustation dinner

Celebrating 70 years of pearl production in 2016, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm will be running a series of pearl meat degustation dinners during the annual pearl harvest (June-September). Located on the Dampier Peninsula, 200 kilometres north of Broome in Australia's North West, the Shell restaurant at Cygnet Bay serves fresh pearl meat direct from the farm with stunning sea views. Pearl meat, the adductor muscle of the oyster, is a seafood delicacy with a fresh taste and tender texture. As well as its restaurant, Cygnet Bay operates land and water-based tours of the farm, including a farm patrol tour and the chance to stay in old pearler cottages from $290 per night.  cygnetbaypearls.com.au

August - Second Airbus A380 to fly to Perth daily

Emirates will add a second Airbus A380 onto the Perth-Dubai route from 1 August. Emirates was the first airline to begin A380 services into Perth, launching in May 2015. The latest technology onboard allows passengers to stay connected throughout the flight with Wi-Fi access and mobile phone and data services. In First Class customers can freshen up in the two onboard Shower Spas, while both First and Business Class travellers can socialise at 40,000 feet in the popular Onboard Lounge, while enjoying premium beverages, hors d'oeuvres and delicacies prepared by gourmet chefs. Prices start from £605 return economy flights from London Gatwick to Perth.  Book by 4th February. emirates.com

September – new brewery, beer tours and a flying corkscrew

The start of Spring Down Under, this month sees “bud-burst” on the vines and a wash of wildflowers pop up across Margaret River. Get a taste for this wine region on the new Flying Corkscrew, a helicopter tour starting in 2016 which combines a private tour of Leeuwin Estate's art gallery with a six course degustation meal and matching wines, a scenic walk to Meekadarabee Falls and an aerial tour of the area's vines, local history and surf spots. From $350 pp. flyingcorkscrew.com.au

Also opening in 2016 are four new breweries - Black Brewing Co on Caves Road and The Beer Farm, a former dairy in Metricup which will also produce cider using locally sourced Manjimup apples, plus two new forest venues the Brewhouse and the Margaret River Distilling Company, both within walking distance of Margaret River high street and each other. Tiger Snake sour mash whisky and Gin will also be distilled on-site at the Margaret River Distilling Company. With so many new spots, there is also the first brewery-only tour in Margaret River launching. Visit four local breweries on this guided tour and see how the beer is made as well as enjoying tastings and a gourmet lunch. From $70 pp margaretriverbrewerytours.com

October - New festival and jetty marks 400 years since the first European landing

On 25 October 1616 Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog made landfall in Western Australia with his ship the Eendracht. The explorer landed on what is now known as Dirk Hartog Island and the pewter plate he left as a mark of his discovery is the earliest known evidence of a European in Australia – 154 years before Captain Cook. The island, part of the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay area, is a great wildlife destinations with dolphins, manta and sting rays, turtles, reef sharks, whales and dugongs visible from walks, eco-cruises, 4WD or kayak tours around the island.

A new $2.2 million recreational jetty in Denham has opened for visitors to access the island, a ground breaking conservation project is also restoring the vegetation and wildlife of the island to what it would have been like in 1616, and a five day festival in October will celebrate the landing with art, food and historical events. In addition a replica Dutch ship of the era, the Duyfken, will sail from its home in Fremantle to Denham in August on a commemorative journey and will be moored in the Shark Bay area for public tours in October. Sharkbay1616.com.au and dirkhartogisland.com

November – Margaret River Gourmet Escape and new adventure tours

Meet some of the best chefs in the world and taste Western Australia's incredible local produce at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape presented by Audi (18-20 November 2016). This annual food and wine festival held amongst rolling vineyards and white sand beaches brings together 40 of the world's leading chefs, wine personalities and celebrities. Visitors can enjoy gourmet beach BBQs by the likes of Rick Stein, collaboration dinners from Michelin starred greats such as Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal Tickets start at $40 gourmetescape.com.au

Work up an appetite with new operator Cape to Coast's adventure tours to experience Margaret River's wild beaches and towering forests. The day tours include snorkelling and stingray spotting, coasteering and 'fat bike' rides, where obese tyres allow guests to explore remote beaches and trails through national parks. Prices from $75 per person. capestocoast.com.au

December - New Perth hotels to open in 2016

By December, Perth will have another three new hotels. The biggest will be Crown Towers, a six star hotel overlooking the Swan River, which will add 500 luxury rooms to The Crown Perth Complex. The Complex already includes the 5 star Crown Metropol hotel, a stunning resort style pool with glamourous cabanas and day beds, a day spa and world-famous restaurants such as Nobu and Rockpool. crownlimited.com

Overlooking the Swan River, next to the brand new Elizabeth Quay development, the new Doubletree by Hilton will have 241 rooms, restaurant, pool and bar. The hotel is anticipated to open in mid-2016 doubletree.com

The new Seashells Fremantle which will open early 2016 offers 24 apartments with a rooftop cocktail bar and tapas restaurant overlooking Fremantle's brightly coloured heritage streets seashells.com.au.

Notes to editors

For more information, images or to discuss feature ideas contact Elen Thomas, UK PR Manager, Tourism Western Australia on ethomas@twa.australia.com or 0207 438 4606