Journal — 10 min read
We stayed long enough for Canmore to feel familiar
School days, short Harvard courses and weekly trips into the mountains. What a slower few months in Canmore gave our family.
Come along ↗AUSTRALIAN ROOTS. OPEN ROADS.
A little further. A little slower. Together.
We’re Michael and Edlyn, from Brisbane, travelling with our daughter. We started our family sabbatical in February 2026. Here’s what we’ve enjoyed, what we’ve spent and what we’d do differently.
Less rushing. More remembering.
HELLO, WE’RE OFF WE ROAM
Two grown-ups.
One little explorer.
We’re Michael and Edlyn. Brisbane is home, but since February 2026 we’ve been taking a family break in Canada. We used to travel with two backpacks and keep moving. These days, we find a base and explore with our daughter at a pace that works for us.
A little about us ↗NOTES FROM THE ROAD
Somewhere worth sharing.
Our memories from the road.
The practical details we’d pass on.
Journal — 8 min read
The lakes were worth it. Next time, we’d book earlier.
Our Canmore base, the lakes, a C$60 lunch and the chairlift ride we still talk about.
Come along ↗
Guide — 7 min read
A Thursday at the Canmore Mountain Market
Food stalls, local makers and live music at Elevation Place. How we would plan an easy market day, with the seasonal dates worth checking first.
Come along ↗Guide — 5 min read
Where I would go for coffee in Canmore
Blondies made a great latte. A few other places to consider, and the bagel stop I would not rush back to.
Come along ↗
Guide — 5 min read
A drink in Canmore, starting with the Drake and Sheepdog
Local beer at the Drake, smaller-batch lagers at Sheepdog and a few alternatives for an evening out.
Come along ↗
Guide — 8 min read
What we’d budget for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
The shuttle we used, the lunch bill we remembered and a worked family budget for the lakes and summer lift.
Come along ↗
Itinerary — 5 min read
Five days in Canmore without racing around
A first visit with time in town, a Banff day and room to adjust when autumn changes the plan.
Come along ↗
Itinerary — 6 min read
Ten days gave us room to slow the plan down
A Canmore base with Banff, Lake Louise and a choice of longer day trips, separated by quieter days.
Come along ↗
Itinerary — 6 min read
Two weeks based in Canmore
A slower Rockies stay with space for family life, day trips and a few days that do not need a big plan.
Come along ↗
Itinerary — 7 min read
How we’d spend two days around Lake Louise
A return-visit plan built from our time in the Rockies, with the lakes on one day and the resort lift on the next.
Come along ↗
LATEST DESTINATION STORY · CANADA
Big mountains.
Little moments.
We spent about six months based in Canmore. These are our everyday memories, the lake outings and the practical details we’d pass on. There are Canmore itineraries for a shorter stay, too.
Explore Canada ↗We’re collecting moments,
not just places.