Fundy Coast Road Trip

One of the last stretches of coastal wilderness along North America’s Eastern Seaboard, the Fundy Trail Parkway is a 30-km (19-mi.) drive hugging the coast surrounded by a 2,500-hectare park. With stunning views in every direction, you can hike, bike, or drive it. Stop and explore the many trails, waterfalls, beaches, and observation decks.

For the most extreme of adventurers, take on the four-to-five-day hiking trek that is the Fundy Footpath. Stretching from the Fundy Trail Parkway interpretive centre to Fundy National Park (or vice versa), the incomparable beauty makes the vigorous hike so worth it.

Once you exit Fundy Trail Parkway you’ll be on your way to the village of St. Martins, famous for its quaint coastal charm, its two covered bridges, and red sandstone sea caves. If you’re feeling adventurous at low tide, explore the beaches surrounding the caves carved out by the force of the Bay of Fundy over 250-million years. Come high tide, the knowledgeable guides at Red Rock Adventure will immerse you in this unique marine ecosystem via kayak tour adventures.

Up next: You’re headed to Saint John! The only city on the Bay of Fundy, this port city has personality in spades. About 45 minutes from St. Martins, it’s a striking contrast to the fishing villages that dot the coastline. If you’re looking for top dining and nightlife, this is where you want to be when the sun goes down. Its narrow streets of beautiful and well-preserved 19th-century architecture house a melange of excellent restaurants, breweries, galleries, and local shops. Follow a self-guided historic walking tour or the Art in Public Places Walking Tour to discover many uptown treasures. While in the city, be sure to visit the historic Saint John City Market, see the power of the tides at Reversing Falls Rapids, and get a breath of fresh air at Irving Nature Park or Rockwood Park, one of the largest urban parks in Canada.

It’s time to head on to the final stretch of your Fundy Coast Road Trip, with New River Beach Provincial Park as your first stop about a half hour outside the city. This is the perfect place to explore, with gorgeous stretches of sandy beaches, sweeping cliffs, and natural history. While you’re there, make the small detour to Lepreau Falls where you can see beautiful waterfalls and buy locally caught clams.

Road Trip Eats

Rounding out the western portion of New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy is the Southwest New Brunswick Region. Compared to the more rugged coastline in other parts of the bay, this area is perfect for those looking for a more relaxed getaway or an island escape.

First up, you’re off to the Fundy Isles -- a world apart from the mainland yet just a ferry ride away. Grand Manan Island is a 90-minute ride to spectacular cliffs and shorelines guarded by lighthouses and teeming with birds and marine life. Campobello Island is perfect for whale-watching excursions, beachcombing, a round of golf or a coastal hike at Herring Cove Provincial Park, and a visit to the heritage cottage and grounds of Roosevelt Campobello International Park. For more beautiful coastal vistas, artisan and art studios, and excellent sea kayaking, head to Deer Island, a short 20-minute ferry ride from Letete, near St. George.

Back on the mainland, the beloved town of Saint Andrews anchors the region, with its pedestrian-friendly downtown filled with colourful shops and a lively wharf. Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the Algonquin Resort, famous for being one of Canada’s historic Grand Railway Hotels. Surround yourself with beauty at the wonderful Kingsbrae Garden. Explore extensive plant collections, many themed gardens, a cedar maze, sculptures and ponds; greet the resident alpacas, peacocks and pigmy goats, and have a delicious meal at the restaurant. 

Take a trip across the ocean floor - in your car! - on the way to Ministers Island, the former home of Canadian Pacific Railway baron Willian Van Horne. And no trip to this area is complete without a whale-watching excursion in the bay. Late summer and early fall are still prime whale-watching season, so don't miss the chance to get close to the sea’s greatest creatures. For even more railway history, make a detour to the famous McAdam Railway Station.

The final stop on your Fundy adventure (or the starting point for our American friends) is St. Stephen, opposite Calais, Maine in the USA. Here you’ll find a border town defined by a sweet history—it’s home to Ganong, Canada’s oldest candy company, and its Chocolate Museum.

Just a bit outside the town is Ganong Nature Park, filled with hiking trails and a sandy beach. With magnificent views of Saint Croix Island, Passamaquoddy Bay and the United States in the distance, it’s a delightful location to finish your Fundy adventure.
 

Road Trip Eats