Ontario Canada

Ontario is often missed by Australians that wish to see Canada, and yet its charms are surprisingly rich and diverse. From bountiful and picture-perfect lakes, to rugged coastlines, to vineyards, to popular beaches, Canada’s second largest province is easier on winter and balmier in summer.

Most know of the two major cities in Ontario: Ottawa - the Canadian capital - and Toronto- the largest city in Canada -but most first time visitors that stop in Ontario are headed for Niagara Falls.

Niagara has been a drawcard for all generations. Renowned as the “Honeymoon capital”, it’s been the backdrop element in many a romantic photo, whether old or young. The Falls are part of the Niagara River and straddle the border between Canada and the United States. They are separated into two distinct parts: Horseshoe Falls (Canadian side) and the Bridal Veil Falls – also referred to as American Falls - on the United States side.

A perennial favourite at the Falls is the Maid of the Mist – named after a mythical Indian legend. Remember peak crowds are present in summer, and if you’re at the Canadian side after dark, floodlights will illuminate the falls up until midnight.

When spending time in Ontario, take time to soak up the nation’s capital, Ottawa. This city used to suffer a reputation very much like Canberra, yet there are some decent reasons to dismiss that. After the second world war, Ottawa employed the services of the town planner of Paris to beautify this stately town, and now the parks and recreational areas match well the old governmental buildings and squares.

When in Toronto, most make a pilgrimage to the CN Tower. At 346 metres, it’s quite the view. The view is particularly spectacular if you’re brave enough to wander over the glass floored area or onto the outdoor observation deck.

There’s still much more to Ontario which has many local flavours including wineries. The vineyard regions are slightly south of the Bordeaux region of France and are a similar latitude to northern California wineries. Check out some Ice Wine while you’re there, it’s an Ontario specialty.
Many local towns are not just fascinating, they hold buckets of colour and character, as Ontario is renowned for its festivals. Try checking out the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and Kitcheners Oktoberfest.

Yet Ontario promises still more. This home of famous tribes like the Huron and Iroquois has a little secret... Ever had Thousand Island dressing on your dinner? Well guess what? The name comes from an archipelago of islands located in Ontario. Stretching for nearly 50 miles, a total of 1,793 all up, the Thousand Islands are located in the St Lawrence River. Whilst it was popular for many years as a summer resort destination, now fishing and boating are ranked as the most popular activities (after pouring them on your salad – sorry bad joke!).