An Ode to Calgary: An Aussie’s Unexpected City Crush
As an Aussie, I hadn’t heard much about Calgary - it’s in Canada, that’s about as much as I knew about the place, but… I had a friend from there. And that is when it all started.
When I booked my trip, the city had the airport closest to the Rockies, ticking the single requirement on my list.
Because I’d be there anyway, I added a few days to the itinerary to explore the city. I thought it’d be just a stopover like any other, but I was so wrong. And I will break it down to you just not to be surprised as I was, so you can actually plan your trip there in advance, and not miss all the hidden gems Calgary and its surroundings have to offer.
Stephen Avenue Walk is downtown Calgary’s Main Street.
What to Prepare for the First 48 Hours as an Aussie?
Before I start my love letter to Calgary, I’m going to give you a few practical tips before you decide to follow in my footsteps. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a rookie, these are must-knows if you’re coming from Australia:
Have Your Documents. If possible, don’t just take your passport and have other types of ID ready to go (e.g. driver’s licence). Have photocopies of your passport and eTA, too.
Weather gear. Calgary is known for having weather mood swings. Sunny one minute, raining the next. Layers! Layers are your best friends…
Download your apps. If you have an iPhone like me, apps can be removed to save space, which can be a little annoying. Make sure you have all essential apps fully downloaded, and add any other useful apps (e.g. Uber, Transit, banking apps).
Know your transport. Don’t rely on taxis, they can get very expensive. The CTrain is super easy and has a tap-and-go system. Travel with a card that won’t charge you for using it abroad (Revolut, for example).
Cash and cards. Most places are card-friendly, but you’ll want to have some Canadian dollars for tipping, small purchases, farmers’ markets, and emergencies. I sorted mine with Australia Post’s foreign cash service - much cheaper and less hassle than doing it at the airport.
Calgary’s Unique Charm
The love for Calgary started right after stepping out of the airport. Wide skies, crisp air, and a skyline flanked by snowy peaks. It felt like a frontier city, modern, but close to nature’s unknown. The city’s charm was unexpected, and here’s what hit me most:
Friendly locals. Canadians have a reputation for being friendly and even though Calgary is Alberta’s major city, people just exude warmth. Whether it’s a complete stranger helping when you’re clearly struggling to decipher the bus map or the barista at Analog Coffee helping you with hiking tips, Calgarians are a friendly bunch.
Walkable downtown. Many cities in North America are not very walkable (here’s looking at you, Los Angeles!), but Calgary was surprisingly doable on just my own two feet. But that’s just downtown; the rest of the city relies on the excellent public transport system, so getting from A to B was never an issue.
Quirky finds. Whether it’s the Wonderland sculpture outside The Bow building or Calgary’s Plus 15 skywalk system that lets you explore downtown indoors (great when it’s chilly), this doesn’t feel like a cookie-cutter metropolis.
Eating like a (very happy!) local. The food options in Calgary are excellent. Poutine and pierogies after a few local brews just hit different. Brunch is a specialty in the city, with Blue Star Diner in Bridgeland serving the fluffiest pancakes known to any Australian, I’m assuming.
Downtown is also home to a 3km promenade along the Bow River.
Nature Right on the Doorstep
I mentioned it in the intro, but it’s worth an entire section. Calgary is a proper city, with everything you’d expect. That’s what’s so amazing (and surprising!) about being ultra near some of the most beautiful natural places I’ve ever been:
Fish Creek Provincial Park. Central Park in New York has the bigger name, but Fish Creek Provincial Park is, well, bigger. It’s right in the middle of the city and a beautiful place for walks, cycling, or even for spotting deer!
Nose Hill Park. It’s almost cringe (okay, it is cringe!), but whilst watching the sunset here one evening, I consciously hit the pause button and made sure to have one of those “just sit and appreciate life” moments.
Day trip to Banff. It’s just 90 minutes away, and honestly feels even closer. This place is a bucket list item, a must-do, a miss-it-and-you-will-regret-it-forever, whatever you want to call it, go there. Wildlife, hot springs, turquoise lakes that don’t look real, and postcard-perfect mountains. It honestly felt like I was wearing some next-level VR kit that hadn’t yet been invented. Banff is just that gorgeous.
Calgary is home to 7,000+ parks and green spaces and 1,000+ km of pathways.
Why I’ll Be Coming Back
If Calgary were a video game, it’d be known for its replayability. It’s not a one-and-done; it’s a place I felt a real connection to. It’s not just about the fun stuff you can do, but the vibe, how the place and people make you feel.
I can’t give you a favourite thing. The views are stunning. Being in a proper city, but so close to nature. Oh, and the food is pretty delicious, too. Either way, I’ll 100% be back.