NEW Indesign DOCUMENT - Canadian Destinations

Fundy Coastal Drive
Family Adventures Await!
NEW
Indesign
DOCUMENT
Whether it is scaling down the breathtaking Cape Enrage cliffs, getting up
close to whales and seals near St. Andrews or fine dining at Saint John’s
Opera Bistro, the Fundy Coastal Drive offers a variety of experiences the
By Chris
Ellison
Issue
1 - 2007
whole family can enjoy!
1
N
ew Brunswick is a unique gem within Canada. We recently ventured down the Fundy Coastal Drive with
the goal of identifying some of the best destinations
for Canadian travelers, especially for families. The
Fundy area boasts the world’s highest tides, spectacular coastal
seascapes and is endowed with marine life. We were thrilled
that the adventurous opportunities were numerous and distinctive, depending on the city or area visited. For tourists who are
new to the region, please allow us to highlight the well-known,
and perhaps not so well known destinations.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Magnetic Hill
Starting in Moncton, visit Magnetic Hill where you can drive to
the bottom of this world-famous hill, take your foot off the brake
and become astonished that your car will roll uphill. Your brain
will tell you it’s simply not possible, but you can witness the experience of your vehicle rolling upward defying everything you
learned in science class. Magnetic Hill is a completely natural
phenomenon that is unique to this area of Canada. Afterward,
visit the Magic Mountain Water Theme Park, right next door.
This area offers families a great day of fun.
Magnetic Hill Zoo
Visit the Magnetic Hill Zoo, which is the largest zoo in Atlantic Canada, with more than 400 animals, representing over 90
different species. Among the animals viewed include a diverse
collection of animals from every corner of the globe, including a
variety of lemurs from Madagascar, gibbon apes and Siberian tigers from Asia, tiny fanged deer from
A glimse of the
China, eland, lions and zebras from
Cape Enrage
Africa.
Auberge Wild Rose Inn
When seeking the best place to stay
while in the Moncton area we recommend the Auberge Wild Rose Inn. It
offers first class amenities and a fine
dining restaurant with a unique blend
of regional tastes.
shoreline (immediate right), Magnetic
Zoo (top right),
Auberge Wild Rose
Inn (middle right),
Hopewell Rocks
(bottom right).
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Photo couresty of New Brunswick Tourism
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Hopewell Rocks
Moving down the coast one must visit the famous Hopewell Rocks where, over
the course of the day, you can witness 100-billion tons of seawater as it moves in
and out. You will be amazed to walk on the ocean floor, where the ocean waves
would have been crashing in well over your head just hours earlier. When high tide
arrives, enjoy kayaking around the rocks.
Cape Enrage Adventures
About half an hour away from Hopewell Rocks is the award-winning Cape Enrage
Adventures where you will enjoy one of the celebrated best views in Canada, as
designated by the Frommer’s Guide.
There are a number of activities to do at Cape Enrage, such as rappel or climb
high above the giant Fundy tides. The experience includes 2 hours on the cliff
for all ages, equipment, experienced guides and instructions. High above the
150 foot cliffs, observe the panoramic view of the entire bay from Apple River to
Dorchester to Quaco. Cape Enrage Adventures will also take you sea kayaking,
on a guided tour through caves, or fossil hunting on the beach. Also available
are guided outdoor adventures where you can wander down a coastal trail and
spend some time at the beautiful Cape Enrage lighthouse, one of the oldest in
the province.
Fundy National Park
Further down the Fundy Coastal drive is a beautiful little town of Alma and Fundy
National Park of Canada, New Brunswick’s first national park, created in 1948. Offered is an array of camping experiences, over 120 km of walking and hiking trails,
through mountains, valleys, past sparkling waterfalls and crystal clear streams.
Discover the richness of the Acadian Forest and learn the secrets of the Bay of
Fundy’s giant tides.
In Fundy National Park you will have the chance to view hundreds of different plant
species, including the rare bird’s-eye primrose, found
Saint John Skyline
only in this park. This flowering plant took root in the
at Dusk (left) and a area when the glaciers melted back from the coast
sumptuous example millions of years ago. When the weather is warm, rent
of the cuisine ofa canoe or kayak and explore beautiful Bennett Lake,
fered at Saint John’s enjoy guided hikes and beach walks including interpretative programs offered throughout the summer.
celebrated Opera
In winter, enjoy the park’s groomed cross-country ski
Bistro (top).
(Photo above courtesy of Opera Bistro)
trails or try winter camping.
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An image of the Wharf
and Harbour in Alma,
New Brunswick (below).
Alma is a beautiful
little town just at
the east entrance of
fundy National Park.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Continuing along the Fundy Coastal Drive you will visit Saint
John, New Brunswick. The city’s historic seaport is Canada’s
first incorporated city! The abundance of natural wonders, historic sites, unique dining and shopping all culminate into an
amazing tourist experience.
Homeport Historic Bed & Breakfast
I would recommend checking into the Homeport Historic Bed
& Breakfast, Saint John’s only 5 star Luxury B&B. Homeport,
which is surprisingly affordable, is centrally located for all Bay
of Fundy adventures and boasts of gourmet breakfasts, ensuite
bathrooms and spectacular views overlooking city and harbour.
Visit www.homeport.nb.ca. While visiting Saint John, dine at the
Opera Bistro, a regional fine dining restaurant in the downtown
core which has a warm atmosphere and modern décor. Some of
it’s features include Black Tiger Shrimp, Scalloped Potato Gratin,
Mocca Mousse Napoleons and wine choices ranging from fine
Riesling from Germany to wonderful Australian Chardonnay.
6 Canadian Destinations
Reversing Falls
While in the city see the infamous Reversing Falls, where the
powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, the highest in the world, do
something that doesn’t happen anywhere else – they push the
St. John River backwards. At low tide the water rushes through
the mouth of the Saint John Harbour and into the downwardflowing St. John River. This creates turbulent rapids as it encounters two ridges and a bottleneck gorge at Reversing Falls.
At high tide, as the water in the Harbour rises, the downward
flow in the St. John River is slowed, then stopped. This is called
Slack Tide. The push of the Bay’s high tides continues until
the river runs in reverse upstream. While visiting the Reversing
Falls, venture out on the Reversing Falls Jet Boat Rides, where
you can splash your way into rapids of the Reversing Falls. Visit
www.jetboatrides.com.
Saint John City Market
The Saint John City Market is another big draw to Saint John. It
is boasted “if you can’t find it at the Saint John City Market, you
Photo courtesy of Saint John Tourism
The image of the covered
bridge at low tide makes for
a memorable and relaxing
experience in St. Martins,
located along the Fundy
Coastal Drive, between
Saint John and Moncton
(bottom right), Reversing
falls (bottom left), Saint
John Market (right).
Photo couresty of Saint John Tourism
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8 Canadian Destinations
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probably don’t need it.” Open six days
a week, this wonderful old building
contains country vendors and green
grocers, butchers and fish stalls, cafés, souvenirs and craftspeople. The
Saint John City Market is the oldest
market in North America. It was built
in 1876, and withstood the Great Fire
of 1877 that burned much of the city
around it.
I was stunned to realize that Saint
John is home to many of Canada’s,
and even the world’s, firsts. Examples include the first chartered bank
in Canada, the first Canadian YWCA
and Boys and Girls Clubs, the first Boy
Scout Apple Day, first public museum opened in 1842, first female golf
champion and female commercial pilot, first use of anesthetic in Canada
during an operation December 17,
1847, first police union formed in 1919
and the location of the discovery of
kerosene oil. Saint John, New Brunswick is a great destination!
Venturing further along the Fundy
Coastal Drive, you will enjoy many regional cities, such as Chance Harbour,
Blacks Hourbour, St. George and St.
Stephen. Among my own favourites
are St. Andrews by the sea and the
beautiful Deer Island, just a short
ferry ride away!
Deer Island is entirely rural
with the major communities
being Fairhaven, Leonardville and Lord’s Cove. The
economy is primarily driven
by the fishing and
aquaculture industries.
10 Canadian Destinations
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
One of the much loved locations to stay for tourists visiting
the area is the historic and beautiful Rossmount Country Inn,
beautifully set between the forest and the sea. The Inn is near
to whale-watching adventures, Fundy Isles, golf, sea kayaking,
marine centre, nature trails and much more. Also not to be
missed is the regional fine dining tastes available at the Rossmount Country Inn’s restaurant. Chef Chris Aerni will amaze
you with a market fresh modern fine cuisine. Visit www.rossmountinn.com.
Kingsbrae Garden Tour
Among the many local attractions to visit while in St. Andrews
is the Kingsbrae Garden Tour through magnificent collections of
over 45,000 flowers, plants and shrubs in this artfully designed
garden. Also interesting is Minister’s Island and the Atlantic
Salmon Interpretative Centre which explores the mysteries surrounding the wild Atlantic salmon and its natural habitat.
St. Andrews Town Wharf
Visit the St. Andrews Town Wharf, which was in recent times
restored after suffering a devastating fire. It has long been a
working wharf where scallop draggers, fishing boats and aquaculture barges leave from each morning and seek protection
from each night.
Deer Island, New Brunswick
Seascape Kayak Tours
Another highlight was sea kayaking with Seascape Kayak Tours
on the nearby Deer Island. Take the complimentary voyage on
the ferry near St. George for a trip to Deer Island, where the
incredible tidal current of the Bay of Fundy creates unlimited
adventure. Seascape Kayak Tours Inc, established in 1994,
is the original sea kayak tour operator in St. Andrews and on
Deer Island. This company, owned and operated by Bruce and
Malena Smith, has become an award-winning organization that
offers authentic experiences with the original kayak company in
St. Andrews and Deer Island! For more information, visit www.
seascapekayaktours.com.
Your family will have a whale of a time along the Fundy Coastal
Trail. It seems obvious that there is something for every taste.
What seems to be the highlight about the region is that, not
only is there so much to do, the opportunities available have a
strong educational component to them. What better vacation
experiences can you think of where you are enjoying new experiences, and learning something you want to learn at the same
time. There is a lot of information available about these experiences, as described above, and much more on the provincial
tourism website found at www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.
Fundy Tide Runners
One highlight for me was whale watching with Fundy Tide Runners where you can search for whales on a comfortable yet
agile 25 foot zodiac boat, which, because of is size can get up
close to the marine life. You will safely explore the teeming
tidal waters of the Bay of Fundy and view Finback, Minke and
Humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals and eagles regularly encountered on the trips. Visit www.fundytiderunners.com
for more information.
Visit the lovely and historic
St. Andrew’s Rossmount Inn (bottom
left), Chef Chris Aerni and his culinary
team (bottom left), dusk on the St.
Andrews waterfront (bottom right).
Photo couresty of Rossmount Inn
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