Canada
Blooming spring landscapes, wildlife-filled summers, dazzling autumnal canopies and one of the longest ski seasons in the world; discover year-round reasons to visit Canada.
10 million square kilometres of breathtaking natural wonders, enchanting cityscapes, and an eternal coastline spanning three oceans (Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic) – Canada’s vast landscape is a realm of limitless discovery and extraordinary encounters.
Take a direct 14-hour flight from Sydney to cosmopolitan Vancouver, the ideal gateway for exploring national parks known for their wonderful winters: Jasper and Banff. Discover western icons including the jaw-dropping Canadian Rockies and legendary Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort. Five-hours’ flight from Vancouver, French-infused cities light up the east coast and autumnal leaves set forests ablaze. Dazzling skyscrapers meet glorious chateaus, from Quebec City and Montreal, to Ottawa, the Canadian capital, and Toronto – gateway to Niagara Falls. Whether visiting in spring, summer, autumn, winter – or somewhere in-between – Canada’s transformative landscapes delight with evergreen adventures.
Chief among the country’s plentiful wonders is the captivating cosmic dance of the Northern Lights. As the leaves change and the nights grow darker, the aurora borealis shimmers elegantly overhead, painting the night sky in shades of blue, green and purple. The Northwest Territories offer unparalleled viewing opportunities, so head to Yellowknife’s Aurora Village to glimpse this spectacular phenomenon from the comfort of Indigenous-owned heated teepees, or set a course for the Yukon. In Churchill, the aurora appears over 300 nights a year. Visit in February or March for best viewing thanks to typically clear winter skies.
In autumn (September – October), visitors can see green maples shift to flaming orange. Take a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario to watch dozens of native deciduous trees change in waves of warm colour. September sees millions of salmon run ecstatically upstream as eager grizzly bears stalk the shores hoping for a catch. Head to British Columbia for the best chance to witness this thrilling annual event. Alberta’s Rocky Mountains serve up a breathtaking display of copper and crimson alpine larches. Make the most of shoulder season prices and warm up in Vancouver’s cosy restaurants and bars; venture to the edge of the city to discover rustic pumpkin patches and peerless hiking trails or wander through 400-hectares of golden foliage at Stanley Park. In Manitoba, Churchill provides unprecedented polar bear viewing, and packs of grey wolves prowl the pillowy snowfields.
In winter (December – February), fresh blankets of snow set the backdrop for an unforgettable winter wonderland. Après-ski season is in full swing at Whistler Blackcomb, where staggering mountains are layered with sensational slopes, welcome to skiers of every skill level. Ice-skate across Ottawa’s frozen Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed waterway, or thunder through Banff’s snow-filled vistas on a dogsledding adventure. In January, admire the craftsmanship of jaw-dropping ice sculptures as you take to frozen Lake Louise. Embrace wilderness in Yukon at Kluane National Park and stand awe-struck in the shadow of Canada’s highest peak or explore its largest ice field.
In spring (March – May) narwhals begin to migrate across the Arctic and maple syrup season reaches full swing. Wander through Quebec’s picturesque shopping boulevards, feast on poutine in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town or head to an authentic sugar shack for a hearty meal dripping with the good stuff. Melting alpine snow means it’s the perfect time to explore any of Canada’s 1,700 waterfalls – discover the unmatched cascades of Niagara Falls in Ontario or head to British Columbia’s Takakkaw Falls for soaring views over the vast wilderness.
In summer (June – August) Canada’s abundance of national parks are bursting with emerald maples. Hudson Bay is the perfect place to glimpse young reindeer traversing vast grasslands. In Nova Scotia; admire ancient rock engravings, swim in vast turquoise lakes, and bask in the light of thousands of stars on the Cabot Trail.