Destination Halifax VR Project

Spring and Summer in Nova Scotia: Featuring the Peggy's Cove and Seacoast Trail Tourism Regions

During the last few months I have been photographing scenes for Destination Halifax. The goal of the project is to showcase the beauty of our province, and hopefully encourage a few more people to escape the downtown and venture out to our fantastic coastline. Thanks to John Meehan, Shelley Webb, Patricia Lyall, and everyone at Destination Halifax for making this project possible
Click on the images to enjoy these beautiful virtual panoramas. Be patient they will take from 10 seconds to a minute to load. You can then use your Mouse to look around 360 degrees. You need High speed internet and Quicktime, Java, or Flash to view the interactive VR's

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Clam Harbour Sand Castle Competition (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Clam Harbour Beach is a long, beautiful white sand beach not far from Halifax. Each year the Clam Harbour Sandcastle Contest attracts hundreds of contestants and thousands of spectators. Sand sculptors start arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. on this supervised beach, to work in teams or just on their own. Sand castles are actually few and far between in the imaginative world of sand art.

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Rocks at Fisherman's Reserve (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
This long outcropping of rocks is a breakwater. It protects boats from the harsh pounding of the wind and seas. Hurricane Juan still battered the fishing village here and most of the small cabins were destroyed; however, almost all of the cabins have been rebuilt and the "reserve" is back to its original splendour. A place to visit just 30 minutes drive from downtown Halifax

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Lookoff on the Musquodoboit Rail Trail (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
About a 20 minute hike uphill is the Gibraltar Rock look-off at the Northern end of the Musquodoboit Rail Trail. Most of the trail follows the old railway line, but there are also plenty of back country trails to suit the hiking enthusiast. You can bike the rail trail, but you can only get up here by foot. The trail follows a ridge and there are all several look offs all along the way. This one is Gibraltar Rock, at the Northern end of the trail. Other back country trails include the North Granite ridge Trail - about a 4-6 hour hike, The South Granite ridge Trail - about a 4-6 hour hike and the Admiral lake Loop - about a 3-4 hour hike.

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Heritage Village General Store (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Stroll back in time to the 1940s at Memory Lane Heritage Village. This award winning site includes 13 rescued buildings from the surrounding coastal communities, authentically restored to the 1940s period. Local animators share their memories of the industry and skills of this period. The site also features a working cookhouse (serving heritage meals), farm animals and garden. The fishing, mining and forestry industries are represented alongside a beautiful community church, one-room schoolhouse, general store and homestead. A Genealogy and Archives Research Centre hosts a variety of materials on the families, social, natural and economic history of the Eastern Shore. https://museum.gov.ns.ca

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

The Norm Hutt Boatshop (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
The Norm Hutt Boatshop (1950) was originally located in Owls Head, adjacent to the government wharf. It is a typical example of the small wooden buildings used to construct inshore fishing boats for local fishermen. Such buildings were usually quite simple, located close to the shore with large doors at one, and often both ends, to allow boats to be easily hauled in and out. Inside the Boat Shop are the handtools used by Norm Hutt, along with boat building materials and a replica of an inshore fishing boat under construction.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

View of the Back Bay (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Welcome To Terence Bay. Less than a 30 minute drive from the Halifax waterfront this beautiful fishing village lies on the southeastern shore of Nova Scotia. Like many of our sea coast villages, fishing has been its economic mainstay for more than two centuries, but ecotourism is flourishing. Evidence of this can be seen at the old fish plant which now occupied by the Sea Sun Kayaking School. Just 15 minutes down the road is Peggy's Cove (one of North America's most photographed locations). .

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Navagational Lighthouse on Kent Island (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Just off the coast you can see a tiny black buoy that I have highlighted with an arrow. Before modern technology all captains had to navigate by the stars or points on land. This buoy is a navigational marker. When lined up with the lighthouse it would provide a reference point helping vessels plot their exact location..

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

William deGarthe Memorial Monument (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
William E. deGarthe carved this lasting monument to Nova Scotian fishermen on the 30 m (100-ft) face of a granite outcropping behind his house. The sculpture depicts 32 fishermen, their wives and children, St. Elmo with wings spread, and the legendary Peggy of Peggys Cove. Open year-round, admission is free.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Tragedy Near Peggy's Cove (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Cast among a unique rock landscape is the memorial for the victims of Swissair Flight 111, which crashed right off the coast of Nova Scotia on September 2nd 1998. The disaster put Nova Scotia in the focal point of the world's media as the desperate search for survivors commenced. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Nova Scotians indelibly reasserted their reputation as a warm and friendly people, with volunteers working tirelessly to help find survivors and to provide support to relatives of passengers. link

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Martinique Beach (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
This is the western end of Martinique beach. Lawrencetown Beach is the undisputed surfing capital of Nova Scotia, but there are many great beaches and uncrowded spots to surf. Most of the great surfing comes late in the fall, and it is always interesting to see people surfing while its snowing out (Believe it or not). The waves can get over two meters and the long breaks make for unforgettable rides

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Peggy's Panels (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
One of Nova Scotia's best known icons, Peggy's Cove, is undergoing some changes to enhance the visitor experience. Enhancements include: a new interpretive program - interpretation of the natural and cultural history of Peggy's Cove through materials such as interpretive panels, signage and brochures. New infrastructure development includes picnic areas, benches, walking paths, information services, etc. Expansion of the visitor information centre will provide better visitor counseling and orientation to the Village and expansion of the existing parking lot will provide additional parking including a redesign to provide a turnaround for larger vehicles such as motorcoaches and RV's. Implementation of the enhancements has already begun with completion of all elements of the project scheduled for spring 2006. www.novascotia.com

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Peggy's Rocks (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Peggy's Cove is more than just a lighthouse. The surrounding area is full of hiking trails, exotic species of plants, and the old stone sentinals (magnificent ancient boulders). There are few who have not heard of the famous Peggy's Cove Light. Ironically, on their way to see it, most pass by one of the most beautiful, one of the most mystical, most entrancing geological wonders in Canada, the Peggy's Cove Preservation Area.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Cliffs at Peggy's Cove (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
It is hard to tell from this picture that this is the edge of a 30 foot rock wall. You can see a couple below on the rocks. It was a fairy calm day, when the ocean gets rough giant waves crashing against the rocks can send spray all the way up here. Almost every year someone gets too close and is swept off the rocks and into the icy water.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Blessing of the Fleet (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
The SS Atlantic Heritage Park is a burial site, and serves as a memorial to those who perished in the sinking of the SS Atlantic off the shores of Mars Head, Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia on April 1st, 1873.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Pioneer Cemetery (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
11865 Peggy's Cove Road Established in 1794, the Pioneer Cemetery, located in French Village, is the earliest documented burial ground on St. Margaret's Bay. There are very few headstones in the cemetery and most of the grace markers are ordinary fieldstones; many of which are missing. No church or burial records prior to 1834 exist. Burials are believed to have filled the site and may have even exceeded its boundaries. From the research of wills, deeds, probate papers and inventories of estates, a list of names of those interred perhaps prior to 1834 has been compiled.

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Bay Lookout Park in Boutilier's Point (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Most of Nova Scotia's great whale watching is found in either Cape Breton or Digby Neck. However, there are many boats around the province providing great oportunities to enjoy our coastline. The Four Winds is an authentic Nova Scotia Cape Island Boat. Built in Clarks Harbour Nova Scotia specifically for water tours. Enjoy a three-hour cruise along the scenic shoreline near Peggy's Cove. Clean ocean breezes and magnificent sea life is the perfect combination for a great day out on the ocean. View working wharves, fishing traps of local fishermen, and rugged island geography. It is in these areas guest will have the greater possibility of seeing white-sided dolphins, porpoise and seals as well as minke, finback and pilot whales. Other marine mammals that have been seen include Humpback whales and Leatherback Turtles. We guarantee ample amounts of fresh sea air along with beautiful scenery

Homepage of the PEGGY'S COVE REGION

Hubbard's Train Station (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
The Hubbards Train Station was built in 1905 on the Halifax and Southwestern Railway line. The Visitor Services and Interpretive Centre is a contemporary version of the old station, which was located not far from this site. The Hubbards Train Station was a drop-off point for incoming and outgoing mail, and freight cars carried out local products such as fish and lumber. The railroad provided good jobs for local residents and also served as a popular gathering place for the community. Sadly, with the abandonment of the line, the old train station was demolished on March 26th, 1977.

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Overlooking Lawrencetown Beach (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
A easy 10 minute hike takes you to the top of the bluffs overlooking Lawrencetown Beach. On most days you can see surfers, windsurfers, and kite boarders. People do swim here, but you have to be very careful of the undertow. The building you see in the distance is a restaurant and surf shop. Boards can be rented for as little as 15$ a day. The day I was here photographing there were people on horseback enjoying the hiking trails that are everywhere.

Homepage of the SEACOAST TRAIL

Fisherman's Reserve (QTVR) (JAVA) (FLASH)
Fisherman's Reserve is an active fishing village protected by a huge rock breakwater that you can view in one of the panorama's above. The breakwater provides shelter against the harsh Atlantic seas and vessels still use and need its protection. Most of the huts and wharves were badly damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Juan, but are now back to their original condition. A great place to visit just a 30 minute drive from downtown Halifax.

More Panoramas:Coming soon