Beaubears Island Historic Site, New Brunswick *Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the museum in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own* We are so fortunate to live in a region that is so rich in culture and history. The Miramichi area in New Brunswick has a melange of history that […]
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Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick *Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the Hopewell Rocks in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own.* Thomas (8) read a book in school about the top 10 most amazing places to visit in Canada. We have already been to several of them including the Bay of […]
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Beaubears Island Historic Site, New Brunswick *Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the museum in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own* We are so fortunate to live in a region that is so rich in culture and history. The Miramichi area in New Brunswick has a melange of history that […]
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Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick *Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the Hopewell Rocks in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own.* Thomas (8) read a book in school about the top 10 most amazing places to visit in Canada. We have already been to several of them including the Bay of […]
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*Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the museum in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own*
We are so fortunate to live in a region that is so rich in culture and history. The Miramichi area in New Brunswick has a melange of history that includes the natives, French Acadians and the English. The Beaubears National Historic Site pays tribute to all three of these important groups of people.
This museum does a fantastic job of finding unique and creative ways to share the history of the Miramichi area.
In the time before European settlement, Beaubears served as a centuries old Mi’kmaq meeting ground for trade and stories of the hunt.
By 1755, in the midst of the Acadian Deportation, Marquis Charles des Champs de Boishébert brought thousands of fleeing Acadians to Beaubears Island and the surrounding lands.
The encampment was known as “Camp D’Esperance”, and nationally recognized as one of the largest Acadian refuges in the province of New Brunswick. Sadly, many of these Acadians perished through starvation and disease while awaiting rescue.
In the decades following the Acadian tragedy, Beaubears Island’s shipyard bustled with activity. Beaubears Island is the only untouched shipbuilding site left intact in Canada. The remains of slips, wharves and foundations are very visible due to the fact that no one has lived on the island for over a hundred years.
Our Visit
We arrived at the Beaubears site and were greeted by the friendly staff.
We were given the option of having a guided tour of the museum or to go through on our own. Our well-trained children of course picked the guided tour because “we would learn a lot more on a tour.”
Shawn, who turned out to be the executive director of the museum, gave us an enthralling tour of the museum.
He knew the history of the island forwards and backwards and in his sleep.
It was so interesting to hear how the island had changed ownership over the years and had gone from being a native hunting summer camp to a thriving shipbuilding industrial place to once again being restored to its natural habitat.
Our tour took about 30 minutes. Even though the boys were tired after a long journey, they still learned a lot and got a lot out of our visit.
There are several ways you can explore Beaubears in addition to visiting the museum.
Visit the Beaubears Island Interpretive Centre: Discover the Island’s stirring history and hear stories of First Contact, the struggle of the expelled Acadians, a century of shipbuilding and the history of Nelson-Miramichi. (allow 30-45 minutes)
Ferry Service to Beaubears Island & The Restored Trail Network: With the help of Parks Canada, we have restored 6km of historic trails on the Island. This self-guided experience allows you to view the remnants of the 19th century shipyard, and the foundations of several buildings. Marvel at the lofty pines which have stood sentinel for more than two centuries, and keep watch for the Island’s abundant wildlife, including our family of bald eagles. * maps and Flora/fauna guides provided at no charge (allow 60-90 minutes)
**Note: if you want to do the hiking trails on Beaubears, this is your only option. Unless you have your own boat to get you to the island! Go to the interpretive centre and they will take you across, and you call to come back. If there is a guided tour in the afternoon, you cannot return between 2-4, but can come back with the tour. If you want to hike and do the guided tour, you will have to go to the island to hike and then come back to the mainland to set out on the boat tour again. You cannot meet the group on the island (because you will miss the first part of the tour!)
Voyageur Canoe Experience: Recapture the pioneering days on the river with our 26 foot, ten-passenger, Voyageur Canoe, Sipu. Canoe excursions provide a unique hands-on experience that may visit Beaubears Island as well as Wilson’s Point, or simply circumnavigate the Island. Participants have the opportunity to live part of our history through the vehicle of the canoe. *Experience also available with kayaks in place of Voyageur Canoe. (allow 60-90 minutes)
Guided Island Tour: See history come alive when you hear the stories of Acadian mothers, venerable soldiers, and Commander Boishebert himself. From there, our historic tour carries you and yours into a time when the sound of auger, saw, and file were heard plainly among the pines and the Island shipyard turned out some of the finest vessels in the world. * includes a visit to the Interpretive Centre and boat transport to/from the island. (allow 60-90 minutes)
“Tour Through Time” These tours will visit Beaubears Island and Wilson’s Point by boat, and will feature the Island’s full complement of historic characters. Our knowledgeable tour guides and colourful, costumed characters will help you discover just what made these two National Historic Sites such a central part of Miramichi’s history. * includes a visit to the Interpretive Centre and boat transport to/from the island & Wilson’s Point. (allow 90-120 minutes)
Our Guided Tour Through Time
Our tour included a guided boat trip of Beaubears Island and Wilson’s Point.
We cannot recommend this tour enough.
We started by boarding a boat and sailing across the Miramichi River to Wilson’s point.
This was the most relaxing journey with beautiful scenery including an eagle that was watching our voyage.
We docked first at Wilson’s Point, which is actually part of the mainland (and can be driven to separately). Here, a group over 1500 Acadians hid out during the 1755 expulsion. Unfortunately, most of the Acadians died of starvation as supplies never reached them.
Throughout the journey, we met several characters from the past who came to life to tell their stories. This included French fur trappers,
starving Acadians,
and some of the shipbuilders.
These historical figures came to life to share a monologue of their story and their importance to the history of Beaubears.
I loved this part because it reminded me so much of the Valley Ghost Walks that I am a part of in the Valley.
Having these characters come to life added to much to our experience on Beaubears Island.
This part of the tour lasted approximately 2 hours.
Admission to the Interpretive Centre is included in tour prices Regular Admission to the Interpretive Centre – $5.00 per person Student / Senior Admission to the Interpretive Centre – $3.50 per person Children under 5 are admitted for free
Overall, we had a fantastic visit to Beaubears Island.
Just watch Daniel’s YouTube video to get a first-hand look at our visit.
Beaubears Island is a great place to visit for family fun and to learn the important history of the Miramichi area in a totally unique way. It is great for kids of all ages will get something out of the experience.
The next time you are traveling through Eastern New Brunswick, make a stop at Beaubears to appreciate what this museum is doing to keep history alive.
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*Disclosure: Our family received tickets to visit the Hopewell Rocks in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are our own.*
Thomas (8) read a book in school about the top 10 most amazing places to visit in Canada. We have already been to several of them including the Bay of Fundy, Anne of Green Gables, Alberta Badlands and Banff National Park.
This book listed the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick as one of the top 10 most amazing places in Canada!
Ever since reading this, Thomas has become obsessed about visiting them, so much so, that we built our family vacation around making his dream of visiting them come true.
The Hopewell Rocks are located on the shores of the Bay of Fundy at Hopewell Cape.
This attraction is one of the Marine Wonders of the World, and is the site of some of the World’s Highest Tides. The Hopewell Rocks, also called the Flowerpots Rocks or simply The Rocks, are rock formations caused by tidal erosion.
They stand 40–70 feet tall.
Our Visit
When we arrived at the Hopewell Rocks, our first stop was at the interpretive centre inside the main building.
There is a great museum that talks about the geology of how the earth was formed and specifically how the Hopewell Rocks were made.
The museum took us about 20 minutes to go through.
The Walk
From the main centre, we walked down to the entrance point for the Hopewell Rocks. This was about 1km and took us about 15 minutes to walk on the slightly downwardly sloped trail.
The path to the entrance point is wide and flat and easy for toddlers or strollers.
Once you get to the entrance point, there are 100 steps to get down to the beach.
There is no ramp or elevator. You will have to carry the stroller down, or leave it at the top of the cliff. If you have mobility issues, you may want to think twice about descending.
On the Beach
After descending the 100 steps, you will arrive at the beach and can walk around the Hopewell Rocks, keeping behind the roped off areas.
It is a lot of fun to walk around and see the nooks and crannies. You also get a great view of the Nova Scotian shore.
Being on the shore, you really get a sense of the power of the tides and mother nature.
In case you get your feet muddy exploring the beach, there is a water hose for washing your feet at the top of the stairs.
Roaming on the beach you will find interpreters who you can stop to ask questions, or even sign up for a guided hike.
Daniel made another YouTube video talking about the Hopewell Rocks. This gives you a first-hand look into our visit.
For a completely different experience, go at high tide and sign up for a kayaking tour.
Your entrance fee for the Hopewell Rocks is valid for two consecutive days. This means you can return at any time during that period in order to see both the high and low tides.
Wear shoes that will clean easily.
Bring a sweater. It can be chilly once you get to the shore.
Hours of operations for the 2016 season are: May 20 – June 24 09h00 – 17h00 June 25 – August 19 08h00 – 20h00 August 20 – September 05 09h00 – 19h00 September 06 – October 10 09h00 – 17h00
Adults 19+ $10.00 Seniors 65+ $ 8.00 Students (19+ with valid student card) $ 8.00 Children age 5 – 18 $ 7.25 Children 4 and under Free Families (2 parents + children 18 and under) $ 25.50
How to Get There
The Hopewell Rocks are about 30 minutes outside Moncton, so about 3.5 hours from the Valley. Although not realistic to do as a day trip, it makes a great pace to visit when you are going through New Brunswick.
There are several accommodations and camping places nearby, but we opted to go on Priceline and get a hotel in the Moncton area. We lucked out with the Holiday Inn Express in Moncton near the Moncton airport. It was another great night in a IHG hotel!
The Hopewell Rocks are an amazing feat of nature that you should try to visit.
Although we also live on the Bay of Fundy, the geology is completely different, and you will easily see why the Hopewell Rocks are one of the most amazing places in Canada!
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