Canada family-friendly travel guide

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About Canada

The second largest country on Earth, Canada’s wide borders encompass beautiful, flourishing cities, wild natural landscapes, abundant wildlife and a huge variety of cultures and characters. Canada truly has something for everyone all wrapped up in a warm and welcoming atmosphere and a mixture of British, French, American and indigenous traditions.

Canada’s largest city, Toronto is a bustling, sophisticated city home to a colourful harmony of ethnic groups. It’s fun and fashionable with abundant markets, boutique shops and restaurants, yet it’s only a short drive from one of the world’s great natural wonders, the mighty Niagara Falls. For a taste of Gallic culture, French-speaking Montreal abounds in history with its Colonial mansions and Gothic churches. Then there’s ultra-cool Vancouver – despite its damp, misty weather, this city has a sunny disposition – supremely laid-back and absolutely packed with attractions that will keep the family mesmerised for ages.

Canada facts

Capital

Ottawa

Population

36.3 million (2016)

Official language(s)

French, English

Time zone

GMT-4

Landmass

9.985 million km²

Currency

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Emergency number

911

Religion

Christian 67% , Non-Religious 24%, Islam 3%

Helpful information

Where to go

Vancouver

There are lots of amazing things to do in Vancouver with kids!

Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola: Just 45 minutes from Vancouver, the Sea to Sky Gondola will take you on a scenic journey from the water’s edge on the valley floor to Summit Lodge, where you can take in panoramic views of the town of Squamish from the deck and see the iconic 100 metre Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. Often, there’ll be live music and yoga sessions at the summit, too!

Spend the day at Apex Adventure Plex: Offering rock climbing, parkour, a trampoline park and ninja obstacle course, Apex Adventure Plex is bound to entertain the kids for an entire day and leave them tuckered out for a good night’s sleep.

Go adventuring with Wild Whales Vancouver: The stunning views of Vancouver, the Coast Mountains and Stanley Park would have been enough as it is, but these boat trips also showcase the incredible host of whales and other marine life to be seen around Vancouver. You might even catch sightings of a real life killer whale—and don’t worry, if you don’t happen to catch a whale sighting, they’ll invite you out again another day free of charge.

Montreal

Experience the quaint, cobble-stoned French heritage Canada has to offer.

Take a walk down Rue St-Denis and uncover the stunning shopping, terrace cafes and hip record stores along its heritage-lined footpaths.

Leave supermarkets behind at the Jean-Talon Market, which will draw you in with delicious scents of fresh produce, home-grown spices and decadent Quebecois cheeses. It’s a great way to get a taste of the local culture, and take a step back in time for a while.

Niagara Falls

Obviously. One of the greatest natural wonders of the world, the unfathomable Niagara Falls can be experienced from helicopter above, boats below or from nearby viewing stations.

Best time to go to Canada

Canada has a mild to (very) cold climate, so spring and summer are the most comfortable times to travel. Unless of course you plan to ski or snowboard, in which case you’ll need to come in winter or early spring. It’s important, too, to remember that Canada is huge and weather can vary significantly in different parts of the country at any given time of year.

Winter (December to February)

Average high/low temperature (°C) by city…

Vancouver, BC: 7/3

Winnipeg, MB: -9/-17

Toronto, ON: 1/-6

Montreal, QC: -3/-10

Best for…

Sunbaking… just kidding! This is the time of year to visit Canada if skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or any other snow-based activity is on your agenda. Make sure to catch a hockey game, too.

Spring (March to May)

Average temperature by city…

Vancouver, BC: 13/6

Winnipeg, MB: 9/-1

Toronto, ON: 11/4

Montreal, QC: 9/1

Best for…

Experiencing Vancouver’s magical Cherry Blossom Festival.

Summer (June to August)

Average high/low temperature (°C) by city…

Vancouver, BC: 21/13

Winnipeg, MB: 25/15

Toronto, ON: 26/17

Montreal, QC: 25/16

Best for…

Taking advantage of Canada’s natural bounty of lakes, parks and trails by hiking, camping, swimming or boating.

Autumn (September to November)

Average temperature by city…

Vancouver, BC: 14/8

Winnipeg, MB: 11/2

Toronto, ON: 16/8

Montreal, QC: 14/6

Best for…

As the summer heat cools and the leaves change colour, it’s a beautiful time to enjoy outdoor activities and take in Canada’s natural beauty (just don’t forget to wear warm clothing). It’s also the time to take part in a favourite national pastime: apple-picking!

Passport and visa requirements

Passport

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you intend to return to Australia.

Visa requirements

For Australians, an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) is required before you travel to Canada by air, whether your visit is for tourism, business, study, work or any other purpose. However, you won’t need a visa to enter Canada unless you have a criminal record.

You can find more information about the eTA on the Canadian immigration website.

Getting in and around for families

Major airport

Canada has several international airports, the most-used being Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport.

Taxis

Taxi services are widely available throughout major cities.

Buses

Buses in Canada are generally clean and reliable. Amenities may include onboard toilets, air-conditioning, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi and on-board movies, depending on the length of travel.

Food and drinks that kids will love

Canada has a multicultural culinary landscape, with a diverse array of eateries suited to every kind of family. Both the colonial and American influence is strong with excellent European restaurants and top notch American-style fare available all over the country. Naturally, the French influence in Quebec is easily discernible in the cuisine and an experience in a fine dining, or simple, bistro-style Gallic restaurant makes for a very Parisian style experience!

Canada’s vast coastline and clean, cold-water rivers produce some excellent fish and seafood. Here you have a chance to try fresh, wild-caught salmon – many say the farmed variety we eat in Australia simply pales in comparison. Canada’s central plains provide high-quality beef and agricultural produce. More unusual produce includes bison, elk and caribou. Canada also produces good wines and cheeses.

Shopping

There are many great places for shopping in Canada’s major cities. Yorkville, in Downtown Toronto, is perhaps Canada’s most upscale shopping district, home to designer names such as Burberry, Prada, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.

For the younger ones, West Edmonton Mall in Alta houses not only around 800 stores, but also an indoor amusement park home to the world’s tallest and longest indoor rollercoasters, a five-acre waterpark, an ice palace and mini golf.

Customs

Tipping

It is customary to tip service staff approximately 10-15% of your bill. This also applies to hairdressers and taxi drivers. Bellhops, doormen and porters generally expect CAD$1 per item of luggage.

What to wear

Warm clothes are essential for Canada, particularly in winter when the temperatures can drop below freezing. If you plan on doing a lot of outdoor activities, bring loose, comfortable clothing and sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Hat and sunglasses are important when outdoors at any time of year. If you’ll be visiting the snowfields in winter, warm, layered clothing is a must. Ski jackets, beanies, gloves and snow goggles are a very sensible investment.

Courtesy

World-renowned for its politeness, Canada has fairly strong notions of etiquette that are egalitarian in nature and mostly quite similar to those in Australia. Punctuality is considered good manners in Canada, so if your tour schedules to meet at 3PM, plan to be there on time!

Electricity

120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Safety and health precautions

Health precautions

No vaccinations are needed to enter Canada, but it’s a good idea to ensure that any prescription medications you might require are still readily available in their pharmacies, or otherwise to be prepared. As always, we highly recommended taking out comprehensive travel insurance whenever you’re headed overseas.

Safety

Generally, safety in Canada is considered similar to that in Australia. Try not to carry too many valuables around with you, particularly in tourist areas, but rather leave them in a secure location. What you do need with you throughout the day, try to keep an eye on and don’t leave unattended. As in Australia, it’s wise to be wary of credit card scams.

Most photographed places

Old Quebec

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historical hot spot brimming with charm. Built in the 17th century, this charming village features cobblestone streets and quaint cottages that appear lifted from the pages of an old French novel. Towering architecture and vibrant parks are the cherry on top of an already photogenic must-visit.

Spirit Island, Maligne Lake

Jutting out from the mainland, Spirit Island reaches into the centre of Maligne Lake with a sprinkling of spruce on its sandy surface. It’s the classic Kodak moment long associated with the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded on all sides by the towering peaks of Jasper National Park, this little island is the perfect spot for any budding nature photographer.

Okanagan Valley

Between Jasper National Park and Banff National Park snakes one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Moving through seas of green spruce you’ll be surrounded by a seemingly limitless supply of viewpoints. Every corner of this 232-kilometre stretch brings new awe-inspiring scenes, from the Columbia Icefields to the aquamarine shimmer of Peyto Lake; it’s sure to overwhelm your Instagram feed.