Highlights

Wildlife

Encounter Canada’s iconic wildlife from black bears, elusive spirit bears, grizzlies and polar bears to playful whales and belugas in the pristine habitats from British Columbia to Manitoba and the Arctic North. 

Rail Journeys

Ride cross-country routes or the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer through the West, East, and the Canadian Rockies—unforgettable rail journeys showcasing Canada’s epic landscapes. 

Canadian Rockies

Explore the majestic Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia—home to turquoise lakes, towering peaks and abundant wildlife. A paradise for nature lovers and scenic rail travellers alike.

Northern Lights

Witness the Northern Lights dance across the skies in the Yukon, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories—an awe-inspiring natural wonder best seen in Canada’s remote northern wilderness.

French Canada

Experience the charm of French Canada in Québec, where cobblestone streets, rich cuisine and vibrant culture blend European flair with Canadian warmth in cities like Montréal and Québec City.

Winter

Embrace Canada’s magical winter—dog sledding in the Yukon, snowshoeing in pristine forests, or sleeping in Québec’s Ice Hotel. A season of adventure, culture, and cozy northern charm awaits. 

Useful information

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Communications

Country Code for Canada: +1 

 

Official Travel advice visit:  

Canada Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Safe Travel NZ | Canada (New Zealand) 

 

All Emergency Services: 911 

 

Australian High Commission, Ottawa 

Contact the Australian High Commission in Ottawa if you're in: 

  • New Brunswick 
  • Newfoundland and Labrador 
  • Nova Scotia 
  • Ontario (excluding the south-western corner below Kingston) 
  • Prince Edward Island 
  • Québec 
  • Bermuda 

Suite 1301, 50 O'Connor Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2 CANADA  

Phone: +1 613 236 0841  Email: consular.ottawa@dfat.gov.au   
 

Australian Consulate-General, Toronto 

For those in the Greater Toronto Area (the south-western corner of Ontario below Kingston). 

Suite 1100, South Tower, 175 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8 CANADA  

Phone: +1 416 323 4280   

Australian Consulate, Vancouver 

Contact the Australian Consulate, Vancouver if you're in: 

  • Alberta 
  • British Columbia 
  • Manitoba 
  • Northwest Territories 
  • Nunavut 
  • Saskatchewan 
  • Yukon Territory 

Suite 2050, 1075 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3C9 CANADA  

Phone: +1 604 694 6160   

New Zealand High Commission Ottawa, Canada 

150 Elgin Street, Suite 1401 Ottawa Ontario K2P 1L4 

Telephone: +1 613 238 5991 

Email: info@nzhcottawa.org  

Customs

Canadians have a similar approach to life as Australians and New Zealanders. They value politeness and manners. Canada is multicultural, with influences from Indigenous, British, French and global communities. Respect for Indigenous (First Nations) cultures is important. Many areas have Indigenous heritage sites. French is widely spoken in Québec, and using basic French phrases is appreciated if travelling to that region. 

Canadians eat a variety of foods, including poutine, maple syrup, and butter tarts. Casual dining is common, but fine dining etiquette follows European traditions. 

Canada is known for its natural beauty. Respect the rules and regulations in national parks and around wildlife as it’s there to keep you safe and protect the environment. 

Smoking is restricted in many public places. Jaywalking (crossing the street outside designated areas) is discouraged and can result in fines. 

Electricity

Electrical Socket type: Type A and Type B

Voltage: 120V, 60 Hz 

Health

There are no specific health risks for Canada in addition to those experienced in Australia and New Zealand. 

 

Official Travel advice visit:  

Canada Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Safe Travel NZ | Canada (New Zealand) 

How to Get There & Getting Around

Canada is well-connected globally through major international airports. The busiest entry points include Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Ontario, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Québec and Calgary International Airport (YYC) in Alberta. These airports serve as convenient gateways to explore different regions of the country. 

Train travel is a scenic and relaxing way to travel around Canada, especially with VIA Rail, which offers long-distance routes like The Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver) and The Ocean (Montréal to Halifax). For a luxury experience through the Canadian Rockies, the Rocky Mountaineer provides breathtaking views and exceptional service. 

For covering large distances quickly, domestic flights are efficient and widely available. Airlines connect major cities and remote regions, including the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, which are otherwise difficult to reach by road. 

Driving is a popular way to explore Canada, especially for visiting national parks, small towns, and scenic routes like the Icefields Parkway in Alberta or the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. All major communities in the Northwest Territories are linked by year-round highways. The Yukon is easily accessible by road in the summer months via a number of highways which connect the territory with Alaska and British Columbia. 

Within cities, public transportation systems—like subways, buses, and light rail—are reliable and easy to use. Ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft) and bike-sharing programs are also common in urban areas. 

Holidays & Festivals

  • Canada Day (July 1) – Celebrates the founding of the country with fireworks, parades and festivities. 
  • Victoria Day (May) – Marks the unofficial start of summer. 
  • Thanksgiving (Second Monday in October) – A harvest celebration, especially popular in Ontario and the Prairies. 
  • Calgary Stampede (July) – A huge rodeo and cultural event in Alberta. 
  • Winterlude in Ottawa (February) – Celebrates winter in eastern Canada with ice sculptures, skating and snow playgrounds.

Language

English is the official language however many people speak French, especially in eastern Canada. Indigenous languages are also spoken in northern Canada. 

Money, Tipping & Shopping

Canada’s currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Contactless payments (tap) and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common. ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns. 

Tipping is practiced in Canada in a similar manner to the United States. It is a common practice in restaurants to have servers share their tips with other restaurant employees, a process called "tipping out". In restaurants, tip 15–20% of the pre-tax bill, bars: $1–$2 per drink or 15–20% of the total. in taxis, round up 10–15% and tip your hotel staff $2–$5 per service (e.g., housekeeping, bellhop). For tour guides consider tipping 5–$10 per person for half-day tours, and more for full-day tours. Tipping in cash is appreciated, even if you pay the bill by card. 

Canada offers a wide range of shopping experiences—from luxury boutiques and department stores to local markets and Indigenous art galleries. Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal have large shopping districts and malls. Sales tax varies by province (5–15%) and is usually added at checkout.  

Popular Canadian souvenirs include: 

  • Maple syrup and maple-flavoured treats 
  • Ice wine from Ontario or British Columbia 
  • Indigenous art and crafts, such as carvings, beadwork and prints 
  • Canadian-made wool products like Hudson’s Bay blankets or toques 
  • Local snacks like ketchup chips and Nanaimo bars 
  • Bear or moose-themed items, often found in gift shops near national parks

Visas

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel too: Visa Advice 

 

You need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) for Canada if you have an Australian or New Zealand passport. Apply for eTA at least 72 hours before departure. Approvals may take up to 24 hours. An eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

 
Official Travel advice visit:  

Canada Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Safe Travel NZ | Canada (New Zealand) 

 

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