5 Adventures You Can Only Have in Atlantic Canada

At the edge of the continent, Canada's eastern Atlantic provinces boast jaw-dropping vistas, rich cultural diversity and unparalleled natural marvels. Dive into five incredible adventures you won't find anywhere else in the world.

1) Celebrate 150 years of Lucy Maud Montgomery

Pay tribute to Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the iconic Anne of Green Gables series, on Prince Edward Island, the enchanting setting that inspired this classic. 2024 marks the 150th birthday of the author, with fans invited to explore the island and immerse themselves in the red sandy beaches, rolling hills and charming communities that fueled Montgomery's imagination.

Take the LM Montgomery Literary Tour through the picturesque streets of Charlottetown, the mysterious woods and homesteads of Cavendish, sit at the desk where Montgomery herself taught in Lower Bedeque, and discover how the island shaped her characters and stories.

2) Encounter glacial giants

Kayak off the coast of Cape Broyle, Newfoundland, through the world renowned 'Iceberg Alley' from June to September, and witness the types of icebergs that sank the Titanic. Encounter ocean-liner-sized icebergs that glint in the summer sun, the turquoise flanks of the icy giant surrounded by “bergy bits”, small floating chunks of ice, and “growlers” - grand-piano-sized pieces.

View the passing parade of puffins, gannets, murres, bald eagles and ospreys in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve—along with the inevitable appearance of whales, porpoises, dolphins and those icebergs. Here, in the world's largest concentration of humpback whales, anything is possible. Later, enjoy freshly-caught mackerel sashimi and fresh mussels and dance the night away in town as the fiddler's bow dances and the uniquely east coast music fills you with exuberance.

3) Ride high tide

Nestled between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on the Atlantic coast, explore the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world. When the tides recede, you can walk on the ocean floor, and then kayak six hours later at high tide, 14 metres above sea level above the very same spot! Alternatively, jump on a zodiac and explore the longest stretch of coastal wilderness on the eastern seaboard, meeting seals and porpoises along the way.

Twelve species of whales make their way through the Bay of Fundy from June to October. Grab a spot on a tour boat or strap on a snorkel and head out past seals and seabirds. Witnessing the smack of a tail on the surface and tall spray of mist from a blowhole will give you goose bumps.

4) Hit the road

Nova Scotia is home to one of Canada's most memorable road trips – the Cabot Trail. The 300-kilometre journey explores the coast of Cape Breton, with endless panoramic views of ocean, mountains and rolling highlands.

Pause along the way to take in the highlights on foot. Cape Breton Highlands National Park boasts 26 hiking trails, at their prime during autumn when blazing foliage makes for breathtaking scenery. The eight-kilometre Skyline Trail leads you into the boreal forest, through meadows and onto a cliff, where you can watch the sunset over the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.

5) Take a culture trip

History buffs are spoilt for choice in Newfoundland and Labrador, home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Start with Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve on the Avalon Peninsula, home to a 565-million-year-old sea floor that hosts Ediacaran biota fossils. Step back in time as you bear witness to the ancient Ediacaran in the mudstone bedding planes, still in pristine condition.

Next, visit L'Anse aux Meadows, the first and only authenticated Norse site in North America where Vikings once stood. Here, on the edge of Newfoundland's Great Northern Peninsula, Norse expeditions sailed from Greenland and made their home along the coastline framed by spectacular craggy cliffs in 1000 AD.

The Basque Whaling Station of Red Bay was named Canada's 17th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 for holding the most complete archaeological record of the industry's beginnings, including 15 whale oil rendering ovens and a cemetery with the remains of 140 Basque whalers.

Finally, hike the Viking Trail in Gros Morne National Park, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rare example of continental drift, with its topography shaped by colliding continents and clashing glaciers. Hike the soaring mountains perched high above vast beaches and forests brimming with moose and caribou.

GETTING THERE

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Internal flights are available throughout Canada from all major cities, in addition to the VIA Rail train service.

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