On Thursday, 1 July, Canadians everywhere will celebrate Canada Day, commemorating the joining of Canada's original three provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the provinces of Canada (now known as Ontario and Quebec) as the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

While borders remain closed at this time, the travel industry has invested billions in health and hygiene protocols, retraining staff and reconfiguring experiences to prepare for visitors. So, once restrictions are lifted, Canada's friendly locals are ready to welcome visitors from all around the world, with Glowing Hearts.

In the meantime, get ready to blow out the Can-a-dles right here in Australia and immerse yourself in all things Canadian, starting with maple bacon for breakfast!

British Columbia

The sustainable cutlery set gifted to you from Destination British Columbia speaks to the province's deep commitment to sustainability across all industries, including travel. From protected forests and sustainable seafood, to custom-built kelp seed nurseries producing a sustainable food source for the future, British Columbia is serious about protecting its natural resources.

Discover how to find delicious edibles in the wilderness, without leaving home. Swallow Tail Tours has launched virtual foraging courses on foraging for wild weeds, edible seaweeds, shellfish and medicinal plants, as well as offering tantalizing recipes starring wild fare.

Yukon Territory

The Yukon, in Canada's north-west, has captured the hearts and imaginations of Australians with its untouched wilderness, endless summer sunshine and unique winter adventures.

Don your Yukon beanie (or 'toque' as the locals refer to them), step into an outdoor hot tub and raise your eyes skyward to witness the mystical aurora borealis. Feel your heart stir as you bear witness to the shimmering green and pink ribbons of light dancing in all their glory across the night sky. Popcorn optional.

During the summer months, hike the iconic trails, including the Chilkoot and Cottonwood, across mountains and alongside rivers, or a take a long, cruisy road trip through picturesque scenery, historic communities, with roadside wildlife roaming free.

Dawson City is the legendary hub of the Yukon Gold Rush, which began 125 years ago, its history still evident in the city's picturesque boardwalks, frontier-style buildings and old-world saloons. But this small town (population 1,800) is thoroughly modern in all the ways a savvy traveller could want, from a vibrant local arts scene and superb dining with locally sourced food and drink, to swanky accommodation that reflects Yukon's unique legacy – including the upcoming Midnight Sun Hotel, set to open in summer 2021.

Ontario

A rare combination of vibrant cities, charming communities and incredible wilderness, Ontario is home to Aussie favourite, Niagara Falls. Explore the gateway city of Toronto, feast on modern cuisine on Queen Street West, shop in funky Yorkville, lose yourself at the eclectic Kensington Market and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Toronto's colourful neighbourhoods.

National parks, pristine Great Lakes and the warm hospitality of Canada's capital city, Ottawa, are all close by. And, of course, iconic Niagara Falls. The sound is like thunder, the sight awe-inspiring! Take a journey deep below and behind the heart of Niagara and stand in the mist where the mighty Horseshoe Falls tumbles from 13 storeys above.

At Journey Behind the Falls, you'll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world's fresh water crashing down to the basin below. July 1st will also be a day to remember as the opening day of the region's newest attraction, the Niagara Parks Power Station, a 115-year-old architectural wonder, nicknamed the cathedral of power. City starting point: Toronto.

Banff & Lake Louise, Alberta

An old-time favourite of Australian travellers, Banff and Lake Louise, in the western province of Alberta, have a rich heritage as two of the world's most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. Glittering, turquoise Lake Louise must be experienced at least once in a lifetime.  From canoeing in autumn to ice-skating in winter, the breathtaking beauty of the Lake, framed by glaciers and mountains, has to be seen to be believed.

Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a magical winter getaway, or book into the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs for a castle-stay you'll never forget. In Banff National Park, Parks Canada has adopted an ecosystem-based management approach that preserves the area's ecosystems while allowing for visitor enjoyment.

Hike the scenic trails, enjoy some of the best skiing on the planet, learn how to dog-sled, or simply soak up the friendly vibe of Banff's funky township. Banff and Lake Louise will take up residence in your heart and make you want to return again and again. Starting point: Calgary.

Manitoba

Aussie travellers seeking those spine-tingling wildlife encounters in Canada are spoilt for choice in Canada's central province of Manitoba. We're talking everything from polar bears and beluga whales, to wolves, caribou, and the elusive Canada lynx. City starting point: Winnipeg.

Do you want to see polar bears in their natural habitat, but are equally enthusiastic about coming back in one piece? In Churchill, you can safely view the largest land carnivore in the world from a tundra vehicle or from a fenced wilderness lodge. You can even walk among them with a guide or view them from above during a helicopter tour. In fact, Churchill is the only place in the world that offers a walking tour. Get ready for the adrenaline rush of your life as you come face to face, eye-level, and sans barriers with the apex predator of the Arctic.

During summer, jump in a zodiac at the mouths of the northern Churchill and Seal Rivers for a close encounter with thousands of beluga whales that congregate here each summer. The song of their sweet 'canary' chirps will give you goosebumps and their friendly smiles will melt your heart.

Northwest Territories

Unforgettable adventures await in the Northwest Territories. Witness the magic of the northern lights, navigate rapids, explore vast national parks, and hook the catch of a lifetime in the beating heart of the north.

In every season, this extraordinary territory serves up outdoor escapades that will give you major bragging rights back home. Kayak the famous Slave River Rapids or, if you prefer your heart rate to remain stable, drift along the placid Thomsen River, gawking at wildlife along the way. In winter, sit down to local cuisine like bison and pike, then slip into the hot tub and watch flowing curtains of northern lights shimmer and loop across the horizon — fireworks on a cosmic scale.

Prince Edward Island

Experience true Islander life on picturesque Prince Edward Island (PEI), complete with welcoming fishing villages, red-sand beaches and beautiful craggy coastlines. Fondly known as Canada's Food Island, PEI produces some of the finest mussels in the world, along with an abundance of seafood and shellfish of all kinds. If you like to eat what you catch, sign up for a local lobster or deep-sea fishing excursion or head out on the hunt for oysters with a knowledgeable guide.

The birthplace of Anne of Green Gables, visitors to PEI can step back in time at Green Gables Heritage Place, the home that inspired the setting of L.M Montgomery's novel. Walk through the rooms of the Victorian home, restored to the period of the late 1800s, and picture yourself as the feisty red-headed girl. Head into Avonlea Village, a real-life recreation of Montgomery's fictional town, and sing along with the longest running musical in the world, Anne of Green Gables - the musical.

Note: Border restrictions still in effect.
For the latest information on travel to Canada including requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada website here.   

FUN FACTS ON CANADA DAY

1. The remote northern town of Churchill stands on the migration route for polar bears. Troublesome polar bears are taken to the Polar Bear Jail – the only one of its kind in the world – before being relocated away from communities.
   
   
2. Peggy's Cove, in eastern Nova Scotia, boasts one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. Did you know that Nova Scotia is home to over 150 more? For centuries, Nova Scotia's lighthouses have greeted those who have arrived by boat and have helped to protect those who make their living on the water.
   
   
3. Lake Okanagan in British Columbia is said to be inhabited by the Ogopogo Lake Monster. As recently as 2019, sightings and video recordings of the Ogopogo have been captured by local residents.
   
   
4. Canada really is the biggest and the best in every way! It boasts the longest bridge in the world spanning ice-covered water (Prince Edward Island's Confederation Bridge), the longest recreational trail in the world (the Trans Canada Trail), the highest tides in the world (Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick), the largest naturally frozen ice-skating rink (Rideau Canal, Ottawa), and is home to the largest number of polar bears in the world.
   
   
5. The magical Princess Royal Island in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, is not only home to a healthy population of grizzlies, but also the rare Kermode (Spirit) bear, a sub-species of black bear found only in this part of the world carrying a recessive gene that gives them a naturally white coat.
   
   
6. Curling, Saskatchewan's official sport, was once called the "roaring game" because of the thunderous noise made by corn brooms used to sweep rocks down the ice.
   
   
7. This is one club you can't join anywhere else on Earth. For just $5 at the Downtown Hotel Saloon, in the Yukon, you'll be given a shot of whiskey, complete with a severed toe. Nearly 70,000 people have joined the club since 1973 simply by following this rule: YOU CAN DRINK IT FAST, YOU CAN DRINK IT SLOW – BUT THE LIPS HAVE GOTTA TOUCH THE TOE. Be brave and earn yourself the official certificate, not to mention the respect of Dawson City locals and the ultimate bragging rights back home.
   
   
8. On Prince Edward Island you can watch the longest running musical in the world, Anne of Green Gables - the musical. While you're there, head into Avonlea Village, a real-life recreation of L.M. Montgomery's fictional town, step back in time at Green Gables Heritage Place, the home that inspired the setting of Montgomery's novel, stroll the 'Haunted Woods' and 'Balsam Hollow' trails described in the book.
   
   
9. In Canada's northern territories of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut experience the natural phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun, where the sun shines for about 50 days during summer – without ever setting below the horizon. 
   
   
10. Quebec City is North America's only remaining walled city. At around 4.5 kilometres in length, the fortifications of Quebec are part of a defence system built between 1608 (when Samuel de Champlain founded the city) and 1871, by French then British and eventually Canadian forces. You can Follow the walls right to the Citadel, a star-shaped fortress built following the War of 1812.
    
    
11. Newfoundland and Labrador has two official dog breeds: the Newfoundland Dog and the Labrador Retriever. The Newfoundland has a heavy coat and strong, webbed feet, perfect for swimming through icy waters. There are stories of brave Newfoundlands rescuing children from watery graves and carrying life-lines to stricken vessels on the sea. The Labrador Retriever (who also has webbed feet) has a sleek, waterproof coat that comes in black, yellow and chocolate.
    
    
12. The Narcisse Snake Dens of Manitoba lays claim to the largest orgy of garter snakes in the world. Every spring tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes emerge from their winter dens and begin their bizarre mating ritual.

Happy Canada Day!