Western Australia's incredible scenery and culinary adventures star in Alex James' new TV series, which airs on the Food Network from 24th June. WEXAS has created a package to follow in his footsteps. Travel in November to meet Heston Blumenthal and cook with Rick Stein who will headline the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, a beachside food and wine festival. Or taste wine by night, by bike or alongside the region's best food producers with these great tours.

Alex James's TV series showcases Australia's South West

Western Australia will star alongside Blur-bassist-turned-cheese-maker Alex James in a new TV series called Recipes that Rock which launches on 24 June at 12:30 and 18:30 on Food Network (freeview 48, Sky 262, freesat 403)

The six part gastronomic travelogue follows Alex James and local chef Matt Stone on a roadtrip around Western Australia's South West cooking up recipes in spectacular locations.  The duo visit lush vineyards, cheese and chocolate producers in Margaret River, truffle groves in Manjimup and pristine beaches where they forage for local specialities such as abalone and marron. From beachside barbecues at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape to underground didgeridoo concerts Matt and Alex get to grips with what really makes Margaret River rock.

Two recipes from the series are available devised by Matt Stone, who runs the Greenhouse restaurant in Perth. Matt is also available for interview

Famous for its exceptional food and wine, Margaret River is the only wine region in Australia that boasts beautiful beaches, spectacular tall tree forests, cave systems, incredible surfing, whale watching and wildflowers, making it an extraordinary holiday destination. It is a 3.5 hour drive south of Perth.

WEXAS Travel (0207 838 5874 / www.wexas.com) has created a package to follow in their footsteps from £1,977 per person twin share, including international flights with Qatar, six days car hire & five nights luxury accommodation. Based on travel in June 2013. Or from £2,234 per person to travel July to November 2013.

Heston and Rick Stein to headline new food and wine festival

Heston Blumenthal and Rick Stein will headline this year's Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Western Australia's new beachside food and wine festival. The event, which will run from 22-24 November 2013, brings together 25 of the world's best chefs, wine critics and celebrities in Australia's most beautiful and pristine food hotspots, the Margaret River wine region.

The event launched last year to sell out crowds, setting the stage for an even bigger festival for 2013. Visitors will be able to cook up with Stein who will host private masterclasses using seafood straight from the Indian Ocean, attend a Q&A with Heston or dine in a pop up version of Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar & Grill in a picturesque winery supported with live music. There will also be cooking demonstrations, tastings, an event held in a secret forest location and a series of lunch and dinners serving local produce and bush tucker.

Heston was unable to attend the event last year but he is very excited to be a part of the festival for 2013 and is looking forward to visiting the region, discovering its acclaimed produce with his peers and meeting food and wine lovers and holiday makers from around the world.

"I am really excited about coming to Margaret River. Firstly it's one of the jewels of Australia - the most beautiful setting, and it just happens to produce some of the best wines in Australia, and some of the most amazing produce," Blumenthal said.

Other confirmed chefs for the event include the UK's Sat Bains and Brazilian Alex Atala, whose restaurant D.O.M is rated sixth best in the world. Both chefs visited WA last year for the inaugural Gourmet Escape. Australian icon Neil Perry will also join local stars Matt Stone of Greenhouse in Perth, Tony Howell of Cape Lodge and Dany Angove of Leeuwin Estate Winery in Margaret River.  

Additional chefs and culinary personalities from around the world will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale later this month at www.gourmetescape.com.au

WEXAS Travel (0207 838 5874 / www.wexas.com) has a six day package to Western Australia for the Margaret River Gourmet Escape from £2,234 per person twin share, including international flights with Qatar, six days car hire & five nights luxury accommodation. Based on travel in November 2013.

New wine tours in Margaret River

A series of recently launched tours are giving visitors new ways to discover the Margaret River wine region. The area, which is a 3 hour drive south of Perth, is home to more than 220 vineyards. It accounts for about 3% of Australia's total wine exports but produces over 25% of Australia's premium wine.

• The Wine at Night Tour gives visitors the chance to meet the region's winemakers, sample some of the best wines under the stars and get exclusive access to the tasting rooms of family owned vineyards after hours. This small group tour which takes in five wineries and includes dinner at a vineyard restaurant costs $105 pp www.tastethesouth.com.au 
• Harvest Tours offers a food lovers' wine tour which combines vineyard visits with tastings of fresh local produce at the region's leading foodie destinations including a special organic cheese and wine matching experience, a tasting at artesian producer, Gabriel's Chocolates, and lunch at the award-winning Cullens Wines. This full day tour costs $125 pp www.margaretriver.com
• Work up a thirst with Dirty Detours' Sip n Cycle wine tour. Covering 18km and some of the region's best vineyards, this tour offers spectacular scenery, forest-lined cycle trails and wine tasting in small groups. Costs from $80 pp, a moderate fitness is required www.dirtydetours.com

For more information on holidaying in Western Australia, visit www.westernaustralia.com. For images please contact Elen Thomas, PR Manager, Tourism WA on ethomas@twa.australia.com or 020 7438 4606.