Venture off the beaten track in Canada
Yukon
With a vast landscape that’s as spellbinding as the colourful people that call Yukon home, this is where you come to get lost in the raw beauty of Canada. Tucked into a remote western corner, this province is unlike any other, with its fiercely independent locals, remote communities, jagged mountains and sprawling national parks. In the capital Whitehorse, wide streets are lined with outdoor retailers and cosy cafes. On the banks of the iconic Yukon River is the steam-powered paddlewheeler S.S. Klondike, which you can learn all about during an Adventure World city tour. Other must-see sights include Yukon Wildlife Preserve, home to elk, moose and mountain goats, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kluane National Park, home to the world’s largest non-polar ice field.
To make the most of a Yukon visit, combine two Adventure World tours, so you can meet Dawson City, a former gold-mining boom town with a sordid past. During the day, wander along the Western-style timber boardwalks, past houses slouching in permafrost. At night, join the fun at Dawson institution Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, famous for its can-can dancers. You will also get the chance to check out the Jack London Museum and cabin, dedicated to the American novelist who famously captured the essence of Yukon in his novels.
Haida Gwaii
To the south, in British Columbia, is another untouched wilderness that captivates travellers seeking to soothe the soul. Located north of Vancouver Island, near the southernmost reaches of Alaska, Haida Gwaii is an archipelago of thick jungle, mirror-like lakes, ancient landscapes and a tonne of wildlife. With Adventure World, you will have authentic interactions with local artists, walk through forests believed to be spiritual and enjoy a Zodiac excursion to the ancient village of K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans), where carved memorial and mortuary poles are slowly being reclaimed by rainforest.
Vancouver Island
Storm-battered beaches and dense forest set the tone for a summer on Vancouver Island. Many tourists stay in and around Victoria, but if you want to get off the beaten track, head north to the fishing town of Campbell River. Here, you’ll learn how the island’s First Nations peoples live harmoniously with wildlife, including humpback whales and orcas. Keep your eyes peeled for the whales, as well as dolphins and sea lions, and even grizzly bears. Adventure World (https://www.adventureworld.com.au/western-canada/island-wildlife-adventure/) tours include an intimate wildlife-watching experience out of Port McNeill, where First Nations guides lead you through waters frequented by orcas to grizzly bear viewing locations. Searching for migrating humpbacks rounds out an authentic and environmentally-conscious travel experience.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Windswept and other-worldly, the eastern province of Newfoundland and Labrador offers up some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Canada. This is where you’ll find the cartoonish Atlantic Puffin, and numerous species of whales that spend time in waters punctuated by icebergs. If you’re keen to capture the majesty of wayward ‘bergs, be sure to board the Iceberg Watch boat tour out of Twillingate.
If it’s the sea that fills your dreams, one of the best ways to explore the province is via a circumnavigation. On a small ship expedition cruise you can call into ports once home to whalers and Vikings, stop by welcoming First Nations communities, and journey to Gros Morne National Park, where you can set off on foot to discover one of the Earth’s best examples of exposed mantle.
Nova Scotia
As the lobster fishing capital of Canada, Nova Scotia promises a unique culinary and cultural experience. Dotted with fishing villages, maritime museums and seafood co-ops, Nova Scotia is an underrated destination oozing coastal charm. Fall under the spell of Peggy’s Cove, with its pretty lighthouse and fishing shacks, before calling into Lunenburg, where cottages are pastel and whisky and lobster go hand-in-hand. Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the perfect place to chin-wag with fishermen. Another big drawcard is the Bay of Fundy, where you can witness the highest tides in the world, as well as the Cabot Trail, a touring route that weaves through seaside postcodes. Active travellers will relish the opportunity to hike dramatic headlands in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It’s a well-loved spot of eastern Canadians but rest assured you’ll be one of few Australians to discover this pocket-sized paradise.
This article is brough to you by Adventure World – the best place to book a Canadian summer experience. Travel with Purpose.
