At 9.8 million square kilometres, Canada is the world's second largest country. At its heart lies the vast province of Manitoba, covering around 650,000 square kilometres, with a network of highways that meander through arctic tundra, boreal forests and big-sky prairie grasslands.

This can only mean one thing for Aussie travellers – it's time for a road trip! With such varied topography, picturesque communities and classic Canadian wildlife to encounter along the way, the only question is where to go first.

Read on for two outstanding road trips through Manitoba.

The Interlake Region

Take a leisurely drive along Highway 8 from Winnipeg on this one-to-three-day journey through Manitoba's Interlake region. Make tracks north to Lower Fort Garry Historic Site and discover Manitoba's fascinating history within the fort's stone walls. A short detour west takes you to Oak Hammock Marsh, one of the best places to witness the mass migration of hundreds of bird species.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the iconic wooden piers at Winnipeg Beach (bet you can't resist diving in), check out the local art at the Fly Fish Gallery, and chow down on wood-fired pizza at the Whytewold Emporium as the sun sets.

Stay overnight at the Lakeview Hecla Resort or at the quaint Inn on Centre and spend the following day exploring Viking-rich Glimli and Hecla Village. Grab a selfie with the five-metre-tall viking statue standing proud in the centre of Gimli's Viking Park, representing the community's strong ties to Iceland. The first Icelanders landed in Gimli in the 1870s and deemed the area New Iceland. Still today, the community boasts the largest population of Icelandic descendants outside of Iceland.

Take a stroll along the Hecla Village Self-Guiding Trail and discover the history of this small lakeshore settlement, with stops at the village's centuries-old icehouses, sawmill, dockside fish station and general store. Boardwalks and blinds provide ideal vantage points for spotting pelicans, terns, hawks, grebes, red-winged blackbirds and bald eagles. Rent kayaks, watercrafts and dine on Hecla Island at Gull Harbour.

Cruise between the province's two inland seas of Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba and keep your eyes peeled for roadside gems along the way. While Aussies love their Big Banana, Manitoba takes the concept of roadside attraction to a whole new level. Think Big Mosquito, Big Mushrooms, Big Garter Snake and even a giant curling rock, a nod to the locals' love of this unique winter sport.

Riding Mountain National Park

Around 270 kilometres north-west of Winnipeg, Riding Mountain National Park has to be seen to be believed. Perched atop the Manitoba Escarpment, this protected forested parkland contains three diverse ecosystems: grasslands, boreal forest and upland deciduous forest.

From Winnipeg, cruise along the Yellowhead Scenic Highway (Hwy 16) into Manitoba's heartland across spectacular prairielands that feel like they go on forever.

Take a break at the town of Neepawa, halfway between Winnipeg and Riding Mountain National Park, at the Farmery Estate Brewery, an iconic watering hole in Manitoba, where the barley and hops are homegrown right there on the prairie farm.

Enjoy the scenic 82-kilometre drive through the beautiful Parkland region to Riding Mountain National Park and choose your own adventure in the park's townsite of Wasagaming, from fat biking around Clear Lake, to kayaking the crystal waters.

The best way to immerse yourself in this striking natural oasis is to get amongst it at one of the Park's numerous camp sites. Stay in the comfortable oTENTiks, book a micro cube, yurt, or rent a cabin in Wasagaming.

Spend a few days exploring more than 400 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, including Gorge Creek Trail, a 12.8-kilometre return hike that takes you up the Manitoba Escarpment and into the gorge itself, through aspen, hazel and old oak forests.

Time seems to stand still as you stretch your legs among this ancient natural playground, teeming with wildlife from wolves, moose and elk, to black bears, bison and hundreds of bird species. For the ultimate wildlife experience, take a self-driving tour to Lake Audy for an up-close encounter with more than 40 protected bison. Warning: bison are friendly beasts and likely to saunter right up to your vehicle!

About Manitoba

Manitoba is Canada's sixth-largest province, has more than 100,000 lakes and a population of 1.2 million. It is bordered on the north by Nunavut Territory, on the west by Saskatchewan, on the east by Ontario and on the south by North Dakota and Minnesota. While considered one of Canada's Prairie provinces, Manitoba actually has three distinct geographical zones: the agricultural triangle in the south; the sub-arctic tundra in the far north; and the predominant Precambrian Shield with its rugged terrain and thousands of pristine lakes.

Note for all travellers:

Travel to Canada is going to be a little different than it was prior to the pandemic, and we encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Travellers should plan for extra time in the lead up, and upon the arrival of their trip. For the latest information on travel to Canada including the updated requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada website.

ENDS