With new non-stop Air Canada flights from Brisbane to Vancouver, plus direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver, it's never been easier to get 'oot and aboot' in one of the world's most liveable cities. With atmospheric and historic neighbourhoods, multicultural influences, native cultures and delectable foodie finds and fringed by mountains, the harbour and stunning urban parks and beaches close to the cosmopolitan CBD (meaning you can ostensibly ski, shop and swim in the same day), Vancouver is not just a gateway city to all that Canada has to offer, it's a great place to take a holiday too. Here's what we think should be on your top-10 hitlist of things to do in Vancouver.
Stanley Parks's totem poles or story poles. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Al Harvey)
1. Stanley Park
An oasis in downtown Vancouver, locals love the 400 hectares of beaches, trails and scenery in this urban park.
Snow in winter, Grouse Mountain bears and mountain biking in summer. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Coast Mountain Photography)
2. Grouse Mountain
Just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain offers family-friendly fun all year round.
Feast your eyes (and taste buds) at the Granville Island Public Market. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Clayton Perry)
3. Granville Island
A hop, skip and a ferry from Vancouver, Granville Island Public Market is a foodie’s nirvana.
Salute the sun over the Capilano Suspension Bridge. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Capilano Suspension Bridge Park)
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge
Take on this swaying suspension bridge - 70 metres above a canyon and the Capilano River.
Tasty Vancouver experiences:
Take a bite of Vancouver's multicultural cuisines. Vancouver's Finger-Licking Good Food Trucks
Ale and hearty in Vancouver. Hoppy Endings In Vancouver - Canada's Craft Beer Capital
Chinatown Night Market in Vancouver. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Dannielle Hayes)
5. Chinatown
Sample the dim sum and Asian cultural heritage in Canada’s largest Chinatown.
The Vanier Park off-leash area along popular Kitsilano Beach. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce)
6. Kitsilano Beach
The popular beachy neighbourhood of ‘Kits’ was Vancouver’s hippie hangout in the ‘60s.
Gastown's streets are full of old-world charm. (Image: Claire Baxter)
7. Gastown
Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood is full of historic charm and independent spirit.
Yaletown is a historic district that popular day and night. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/CTC)
8. Yaletown
This rejuvenated historic district is one of the city’s top addresses for shopping, dining and nightlife.
Experience the serene and peaceful Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/CTC)
9. Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
The first garden of its kind outside China, experience the serenity of the Ming dynasty-style setting.
Cyclists bike past the Port Metro and Vancouver Lookout. (Image: Tourism Vancouver/ Cycle City Tours)
10. Vancouver Lookout
Enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Vancouver, North Shore Mountains and Pacific Ocean from Harbour Centre.
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Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals on travelling to Vancouver.
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