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After an incredible start to our Maritimes road trip in Prince Edward Island, we made our way into New Brunswick, eager to continue exploring the beauty and charm of the region. Our stay in Moncton began at the Chateau Moncton, a lovely hotel located right on the banks of the Petitcodiac River. When we arrived, the tide was low, and we were able to see just how far the water recedes—leaving behind the muddy, chocolate-colored banks. It was a unique sight to behold, as the riverbed was exposed and the mud was wet from the retreating water. We were able to appreciate the incredible power of the tides in the region, even though we didn’t get to witness the high tide or the dramatic changes firsthand.
We also felt at home in New Brunswick, as the province is bilingual—just like us—which made the experience even more welcoming.
It was the perfect home base for our adventures in New Brunswick. If you missed the first blog post about our journey through PEI, you can catch up and get all the details about our adventures by visiting this link.
We packed as much as we could into our week, knowing that our vacation was limited. To maximize our time, we rented a car as soon as we landed in PEI and kept it throughout our journey, dropping it off before flying home. This gave us the flexibility to explore the beauty of the Maritimes at our own pace, and it was the perfect way to discover New Brunswick’s most scenic spots.
Day 4: Magnetic Hill, Hopewell Rocks, and Saint John
We started Day 4 in Moncton, where we headed out early in the morning to explore Magnetic Hill. Known for its optical illusion, Magnetic Hill creates the illusion that cars roll uphill on a slight incline. We couldn’t resist testing it out ourselves—and it was fun! This quirky stop is a must-see, and it always provides a little bit of magic during any trip to New Brunswick.
From there, we made our way to Plage des Demoiselles, a beautiful beach located near Hopewell Rocks. The weather was calm, warm, and sunny—a perfect day for enjoying the coast. We took our time walking along the shoreline and soaking in the stunning views of the rugged cliffs and the rolling waves, which made for an unforgettable experience.
Next, we headed to Hopewell Rocks, one of the most famous natural wonders in Canada. The Flowerpot Rocks, towering above the Bay of Fundy’s shoreline, were sculpted by the world's highest tides over thousands of years. Visiting during low tide gave us the opportunity to walk along the sea floor and explore the massive rock formations up close. It’s an otherworldly experience, especially when you see how far the water recedes. The sheer size of the rocks is awe-inspiring.
After soaking in the beauty of Hopewell Rocks, we made our way to Fundy National Park, where we explored Dickson Falls. The short but beautiful trail to the falls took us through lush forest, and the waterfall itself was a peaceful and serene spot to take in the surrounding nature.
The next stop was the challenging Matthew’s Head hike. This 6-kilometer hike was definitely a challenge: 3 kilometers downhill followed by a grueling 3 kilometers uphill. The climb down was totally worth it, as we reached the Matthew’s Head vantage point, where we were rewarded with stunning views of the Bay of Fundy. It was hard work, but we were extremely proud of ourselves for completing the hike, especially given that Jean-Luc had started developing a tonsil infection throughout the last few days! Yes, as many of you know, Jean-Luc had a tonsillectomy earlier this year, but on Day 4 of this trip, his tonsils started acting up again, leading to an infection that would eventually require a hospital visit in Halifax—more on that later!
Ending the Day in Saint John
After an action-packed day of exploring the Bay of Fundy, we made our way to Saint John, the largest city in New Brunswick. We arrived just in time to catch the sunset and took a relaxing stroll along the waterfront. The charming streets of Saint John are full of history, and the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene made it an ideal place to end the day.
For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Lemongrass Thai, where the flavors were incredible and the atmosphere warm and inviting. We were already looking forward to the next day’s adventure, but we knew it was time to rest, as we had an early ferry to catch to Digby, Nova Scotia the next morning. We went to bed early, knowing that the journey was far from over.
Stay tuned for the next blog post, where we continue our adventure through Nova Scotia.
Jean-Luc and Nick ❤️
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