Fundy Coastal Drive, CANADA
Airing Date: Aug 15th, 2005
The Fundy Coast in New Brunswick, Canada, is home to an extraordinary marine wonder - the biggest tides in the world.
The recently opened Fundy Trail Parkway has created a 13km scenic highway which stretches along the coastline showcasing the beautiful, rugged sea cliffs, bays and coves. The drive takes you from Saint John all the way to the world famous Hopewell Rocks where the dramatic tides rise more than a 4 storey building.
Each year 200,000 people visit here just to witness the tides.
While the gravitational forces of the sun and moon combine to create a continuum of tidal action all over the world, it is the unique shape of the Bay of Fundy that contributes to the high tides experienced.
During low tide it is possible for tourists to walk on the ocean floor and explore the rocky columns along the cliff face, but at high tide, they disappear leaving little, tree-topped islands. The tides rise more then the height of an average person in one hour so it is best to get moving quickly.
Wooden ship building used to be a major industry for the region and the ship builders were also good at building houses - like St Martins Country Inn, where you can stay in style.
Saint John is an old industrial town and is well renowned for its Reversing Falls where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy.
The huge tide coming in crashes into the river flowing out which creates a whitewash of water.
The effects are amazing and if you are brave enough, you can take on the tides yourself in a battle bubble.
You are safely strapped into the inflatable bubble and your task is to try and maintain a central balance while travelling across the water. This is obviously much harder when you have low tides racing out and high tides crashing in.
To drive a car along the Fundy Coast costs $5 and there are plenty of places to view along the way.
There is a 5 year plan to extend the drive further up the coast for another 30 kilometres so visitors can enjoy even more of the spectacular coastline.
Further information:
Jet boat rides start from $35 a person & $113 family of 4.
St Martin's Country Inn starts from $112 a double, including breakfast.
Canada Travel Information Ph) 1300 300 576
Air Canada to St John starts from $2599 ex Sydney
Includes taxes. Conditions apply
Valid 1/11/05 - 9/12/05
Jetset Phone: 13 63 83
Prices correct at 15/08/05
