As with other parts of the lower Great Southern region of Western Australia, silviculture, specifically plantations of Tasmanian blue gums, is becoming a notable, and sometimes controversial, industry in Porongurup.

[5] Tourism based on the Porongurup Range's giant karri forests is limited by the difficulty of access because the nearest public transport is in Albany or Mount Barker.

Viticulture is a relatively young but flourishing industry in the region with eleven local wineries listed on the Porongurup Promotion Association web-page as of March 2007[update].

[9] On 11 February 2007, a fire began on private property near the north-west corner of the national park, around 8 kilometres (5 mi) west of the Porongurup village.

Fire crews, including aerial support from six water bomber planes, battled the blaze and by Tuesday morning it was effectively under control.