This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Westport.
Westport is the major town on Brier Island, the farthest point along the Digby Neck Scenic Drive. Brier Island is a very small island and only a few kilometers wide in each direction, so it's not the kind of place where you've find tons of hostels. There is one main paved road that will take you along to all of the convenience stores, cafes, gift shops, the post office, and the Westport hostels. You will also find small stalls with pickles, rocks, and other handmade, local crafts and foods along the way with boxes on them that work on an honesty system. There are some other dirt roads that wind around the island, but for the most part it is small enough to drive around in an afternoon or walk around for the day.
The largest attraction for tourists on Brier Island is the whale-watching tours, of which there are some of the best whale watching views in Canada. The island is also well known for its seabird watching as well, as this is a sanctuary to many of the native birds in this area. There is a new lighthouse on the other side of the island to where the ferry docks. From the end of the Scenic Drive, you can also see one of the old, rundown lighthouses on an island in the bay, which has a lot of character.
To get to Brier Island you have to take two ferries. The first one is from the mainland of Nova Scotia to Long Island. On Long Island, there is a visitor centre and the famous Balancing Rock, to which you can hike down from the main road. After driving through Long Island, you will reach the second ferry that will take you over to Brier Island. Getting to and around this region is very difficult without a car or a bicycle -- it is too far to walk the entire distance to your hostel. While the islands and the towns are equipped with many of the basic things that you may need, it is also a good idea to stock up on food and other supplies before you get there to save.
Written by local enthusiast for Westport hostels
Globetrotter
