Acadian Coastal Drive of New Brunswick

The Acadian Coastal drive has a vibrant cultural tie with the natural landscapes. From sandy beaches to extreme activities this region of New Brunswick has it all. The cuisine is superb, the local events are a blast and the scenery locks in the joie de vivre the Acadian coast and its residents are known for.

From scenic hikes and cycling to whale watching, beachcombing to kite surfing and so much in between the Acadian Coastal Drive is full of life. Dine on fresh seafood, explore tidal pools for the symbolic sea stars the area is known for or spend your afternoons with a good pair of binoculars for bird watching.

Try your hand at fishing, kayaking or cooking-there simply isn’t an end to possibilities. Regardless of what activities you decide on you will have a great time here. Stop by one of the three main Visitor Information Centres in Aulac, Campbellton or Cape Jourimain to pick up tour guides and more information on the region.

The highlights of the Acadian Coastal Drive include:

 

Campbellton

Surrounded by the Appalachian mountains, Campbellton is nestled snugly between ancient peaks and marina. The Largest Salmon in the World, an 8.5 m (27.8 ft.) Atlantic salmon replica known as Restigouche Sam is available for photos. Actually a whole festival, the Campbellton Salmon Festival is dedicated to this giant fish.

Sugarloaf Provincial Park is an all season playground with lift-serviced mountain biking in the summer and alpine skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Snowmobile, cross country ski, snowshoe, sliding and ice skating are also available in the winter. For a real hiking experience head out on the Restigouche Trail, a 25 km (15.5 mi.) stretch from Campbellton to Glencoe.

Bathurst and Chaleur Bay

Bathurst is a town of four seasons. Known as the Snowmobile Capital of Atlantic Canada, the surrounding area features many sled trails, as well as cross country skiing, snowshoeing and in the summer mountain biking, hiking, hunting and fishing. Atlas Park, located 20 minutes from Bathurst features scuba diving, fishing, rowboat and paddle boat tours, walking paths, an amusement park, barbecues and a picnic area.

Experience the Acadian heritage at the Village Historique Acadien, about 50 km (30 mi.) from Bathurst. Staff are dressed in period costumes and more than 40 complexes are ready for exploration. In Bathurst also visit the farmers markets for something truly unique, and check out the Bathurst Heritage Museum to see cultural artefacts.

Be sure to visit Chaleur Bay where ocean meets the mountains. Acadian fishing villages line the bay and the area is famous for its lobster, herring and mackerel. Spend a few hours bird watching, spend the day on the sea by boat or head up into the Appalachian hiking trails.

 

Kouchibouguac National Park

Visit a Canadian Heritage protected area in Kouchibougac (pronounce Kou-she-boo-gwack) National Park, home to thriving and endangered species such as the piping plover. Harbour and grey seals play around the sand dunes as crabs and turtles crawl around the shallows.

The park offers cycling path, canoeing and kayaking, swimming and camping as well a skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing in winter. Get in on one of the Nature Interpretation Programs from Parks Canada and tour through bogs, salt marshes, tidal rivers, freshwater systems, sheltered lagoons, abandoned fields and tall forests. If you’re lucky you might even spot a whale in the distance.

 

Lamèque and Shippagan

Environmental Experience at the Ecological Park at Lamèque is a wonderful spot to learn about the natural ecology of this Atlantic area. The “Eco-Parc” features an Interpretation Centre, or you can hire a guide to teach all there is to know about local bird and tree species, visit the observation tower or hike through the forest trail.

At the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan is a great place for children to experience nature first hand. Children aged 7 to 12 are invited to join scientists to learn about local marine life by taking water samples, taking beach samples and touching and watching creatures. At the end of the day they will come out with a Biologist Training Program certificate and be on their way!

 

Miscou Island

While not a hub of tourist activity, Miscou Island features a rugged Atlantic beauty all its own. Take a tour on the boardwalk paths, bird watch or take a stroll to the essentially untouched beach. Miscou Island is a wonderful place to relax, take a breath of fresh air and explore nature.

 

Miramichi

Miramichi loves its salmon and its ships. The town is full of fun activities and historic sites. Try your luck at catching an Atlantic Salmon, or visit the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, the oldest fish hatchery in Canada and bring back fishing tales of your own. Explore the area’s ship building heritage at Ritchie Wharf Park and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Site of Canada. The area also hosts the Boishebert National Historic Site of Canada where Charles Deschamps de Boishebert led the Acadians to refuge.

Miramichi is true to the Acadian joie de vivre (love of life). The area is well known for its festivals and events such as the Rock ‘N’ Roll Festival Miramichi dedicated to antique cars and great music, Canada’s Irish Festival featuring a fiddle competition and an Irish parade and the Miramichi Country Music Festival where fans can participate and listen to country music all day.

 

Moncton and Dieppe

Moncton is an urban delight with a natural background. The city has a number of great festivals and things to do. Visit The Capitol Theatre, a restored vaudeville theatre with weekly performances, or take or turn it up a notch after all of the peacefulness of nature by heading out for a night on the town. Some great cottages and hotels and character inns are here for a memorable stay.

Love seafood? Then definitely check out the Atlantic Seafood Festival in August and try the excellent fish cakes, seafood chowder and the specialties prepared by world renowned chefs. If you have a vehicle drive to Magnetic Hill, put it in neutral and experience the oddity as your car rolls uphill.

Dieppe is New Brunswick’s newest city and is fun for the whole family. Take the kids (or the kid in you!) to Crystal Palace Amusement Park, an indoor funhouse with mini golf, rollercoaster, climbing wall and much, much more. For the textile lover in you visit London-Wul Fibre Arts where artist Heidi Wilfraat creates spectacular art pieces out of home-spun wool. Have a passion for knitting? So does she and you can pick up a beautiful skein of wool for that perfect scarf or winter hat.