More Australians than ever are choosing to travel to Canada, new figures have shown. <\/p>\n
The latest ABS data, released on Tuesday, shows the number of Aussies who had returned from short-term travel from Canada had increased by 27 per cent compared to May last year.<\/p>\n
The figure is the highest May number since ABS began recording in 2007. <\/p>\n
It was the same story in April, with Canada experiencing a year-on-year rise of 22.8 per cent in Aussie travellers, while the US saw a drop of 15.6 per cent. <\/p>\n
Globus Asia Pacific Head of Marketing Johanna Raeder said Australian travellers had been drawn in by the dollar, with 1 CAD currently equalling 1.02 AUD. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith the Canadian and Australian dollar sitting at near equal value, travellers are<\/p>\n
finding their money goes further than it has in years,\u201d Ms Raeder said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut beyond the value proposition, it\u2019s the sheer breadth of what Canada delivers within a<\/p>\n
single trip that sets it apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cExceptional experiences don\u2019t have to come at an exceptional price, and Canada is<\/p>\n
proving that right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aussies drawn to variety <\/p>\n
News.com.au was invited in May to explore the Canadian Rockies and get a chance to see why so many Aussies are heading to the Great White North. <\/p>\n
The Rockies are known for attracting Aussies, with their ski towns abuzz with staff from down under. <\/p>\n
\u201cAustralians tend to gravitate towards the west first, drawn by the mountains, the national<\/p>\n
parks and that iconic Rocky Mountain scenery,\u201d Ms Raeder said. <\/p>\n
\u201cVancouver is often the entry point, and from there the journey east through the Rockies is nothing short of spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, we went the opposite way – starting in Calgary and winding our way through every glorious mountain the Rockies had to offer over the course of ten days before finishing up in Vancouver. <\/p>\n
Lake Louise <\/p>\n
One of our first pits stops after leaving Calgary was to Lake Louise, which sits 55 kilometres west of Banff. <\/p>\n
During the summer months, the lake usually glistens an almost mystical shade of blue. <\/p>\n
However, this year, the lake was frozen over until the end of May – a testament to how seriously cold it can be all year round in Canada. <\/p>\n
During the course of our one hour visit, the weather went from warm sunshine to a sudden flurry of snow. <\/p>\n
It became an early education in just how quickly the weather can shift in a single day in Canada. <\/p>\n
The scarf and beanie I had packed as \u201cjust in case\u201d options were quickly dug out of the bottom of my backpack. <\/p>\n
Sitting practically atop the lake was the Fairmont Chateau, which is a beauty in its own right. <\/p>\n
When the snow started, I became beyond envious of the hotel guests I could see nestled beneath the steam of the hotel\u2019s hot tub, looking out at the frosty mountain range. <\/p>\n
But fear not, I managed to indulge in the warmth of a creamy hot chocolate which can be bought from the Fairmont. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re quick enough, snap a picture of the lake through the hotel bar\u2019s huge glass doors. It makes for one hell of an Instagram story.<\/p>\n
Banff <\/p>\n
Swarming with Aussies, it\u2019s not hard for Banff to make you feel immediately at home. <\/p>\n
Cosmos Tour guide Lynda Brown said 70 per cent of the town\u2019s staff are now Australians, mostly living there for the town\u2019s long ski season. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On one day, my server at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon coffee were all Aussie. <\/p>\n
That night, we went out line dancing at the town\u2019s new cowboy bar, the Dusty Boot. The line dance instructor was also Aussie. <\/p>\n
During the summer months, Banff\u2019s Sulphur Mountain is by far the main attraction. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re feeling adventurous, you can save yourself the $88 gondola pass fee by turning the journey into a 5.5km one-way mountain hike. <\/p>\n
The hike turns into about a three to five-hour round trip if you\u2019re brave enough to do the (much easier) return journey.<\/p>\n
If visiting in May like we did, I\u2019d recommend some better shoes than the Nike sneakers our group wore. <\/p>\n
Our choice in footwear certainly got a few raised eyebrows from the kitted out hikers overtaking us. We soon discovered the mountain top was still covered snow, which made for some slippery, but also hilarious moments.<\/p>\n
The hike provided without a doubt the best 360 views of Banff with snow falling as we ate a buffet lunch at the peak. Along the way we even managed to spot a marmot – which I have to admit, I had never heard of beforehand and mistook it for a beaver.<\/p>\n
Given that Banff is also known for its craft beer scene, it makes the drink at the bottom all the more rewarding. <\/p>\n
Our celebratory craft beer (beers) were drunk alongside some incredible Mediterranean food in town at the Balkan Restaurant. The dinner\u2019s highlight was the sagnaki, a fried cheese which was flamb\u00e9ed with brandy tableside.<\/p>\n
Jasper<\/p>\n
Jasper is still recovering from a devastating wildfire in 2024, which wiped out about a third of the town\u2019s buildings.<\/p>\n
However, the message from the townspeople was clear – we are open, and please, come and visit. <\/p>\n
One of the best ways to see Jasper is via raft. <\/p>\n
My advice is don\u2019t be \u201ctoo cool\u201d when they offer out a poncho, or you will end up very cool indeed, in fact, freezing from splashing lake water like some of my shipmates. <\/p>\n
Speaking to news.com.au, Jasper Raft Tours Co-Owner Brian and Katrina Turco had to buy an entirely new fleet after their boats were completely destroyed during the fire. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are still very much in recovery. We lost two hotels; it was pretty traumatic, and there were certainly times when I cried all day. But [tourism] is what we need,\u201d Ms Turco said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are happy for people to come back. We are welcoming people now with open doors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite being welcomed with open arms by some of the nicest people you will be – Jasper is also one of your best opportunities to see the wildlife that Canada has to offer up close. <\/p>\n
On our way out from Jasper, we were lucky enough to see what every tourist wants to round out their Canadian adventure – a mumma bear and her two cubs. <\/p>\n
The sighting was a pure thrill after days of everyone on the tour bus keeping a keen out the window. It was a definite highlight of the trip to be able to see these animals in the wild, and seriously blew me away. <\/p>\n
While driving in Canada, if you ever see a few cars pulled to the side of the road, you can bet it\u2019s worth stopping to have a look.<\/p>\n
Columbia Icefields <\/p>\n
The Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park might not be around for much longer thanks to climate change, so to see it in all its glory now should be a priority for anyone visiting Canada.<\/p>\n
Thanks to the huge beasts that are the Glacier\u2019s all-terrain vehicles \u2013 known as the Ice Explorers \u2013 the glaciers is one of the most accessible in the world. <\/p>\n
The gigantic 56-passenger buses use massive low-pressure tyres to traverse the glacier\u2019s rocky terrain and ice. There are just 23 Ice Explorers in the world, with 22 of them used at Athabasca. One is used for research in Antarctica. <\/p>\n
The buses allowed us to head right onto the glacier and walk around – even having a drink of some very icy glacier water. <\/p>\n
Our lovely driver, Winnipeg truck driver Leanne, told news.com.au how she became the first female driver of an Ice Explorer last year.<\/p>\n
Leanne made the move after her 18-year-old daughter encouraged her to move to the Icefields after always wanting to drive in the ice. <\/p>\n
The glacier\u2019s 70 or so staff are all housed in one giant nearby housing facility – known as the Ice Palace. <\/p>\n
Leanne is known as \u201ccamp mum\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe said this is where you need to be. And now this is my backyard.\u201d <\/p>\n
Victoria <\/p>\n
While travelling through Canada, it\u2019s easy to forget the nation is part of our Commonwealth. That is, until you get a few coins with King Charles on the back. <\/p>\n
But when reaching Victoria in British Columbia, the UK influence is clear. <\/p>\n
With beautiful gardens and parliament Buildings, which light up the harbour city at night, the warm months of Canada can\u2019t be spent without at least a day\u2019s visit to Victoria.<\/p>\n
There is also a little pocket of Scotland at the Royal Scot, which is where we stayed. <\/p>\n
The hotel was kind enough to welcome us via bagpipe which was a highlight to our visit. <\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s summer truly started to show off when we travelled for the day to Butchart Gardens, a 122-year-old huge display garden. <\/p>\n
The garden had all the green thumbs ready to tackle their garden when getting home – and even featured a plant library where you can ask questions to expert floriculturists. <\/p>\n
By this stage we had finally worked up the courage to try Canada\u2019s signature cocktail – the Caeser. <\/p>\n
Similar to a bloody mary, the drink features vodka, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, however, instead of tomato juice, it uses clamato juice, a blend of tomato and clam juice. <\/p>\n
I thought I\u2019d be taking a sip and putting it to the side. Instead, I ordered another. <\/p>\n
Taking in the coolness of the ice, the unexpected spice and the overall internal warmth, I thought how well it summed up our journey. <\/p>\n
Cosmos Heart of the Canadian Rockies 10-day tour from Calgary to Vancouver.<\/p>\n
This writer travelled to the Canadian Rockies as a guest of Cosmos, part of Globus Tours<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"More Australians than ever are choosing to travel to Canada, new figures have shown. 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