July 10, 2026 • 9 mins
"When you’ve had your fill of urban treats in downtown Vancouver, the call of the wild is hard to ignore. Blessed with a feast of day-tripping options, go explore! Venturing over Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge is the gateway to the best of British Colombia’s outdoorsy delights, and a supporting cast of stellar encounters within easy reach of the city."
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks a'b.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mike Hardley is our travel corresponding. He's got a tough
assignment today today, Mike.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Yeah, good morning Jack. I'm here to convince.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yes. No, Well, as we always say on Saturday Mornings,
famously open minded, Mike, so famously open minded. And you
know I did the maths last week after we spoke.
I reckon it's more than fifteen years since I was
last in Vancouver, so you know it is fair to
say that I haven't been there anytime recently. And you know,
famously open minded. So there are a stack of day
(00:42):
trip options beyond downtown, right, there are all sorts of
things to keep you occupied if you want to leave
Vancouver city problem.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
This is what I think is the secret to Vancouver's success.
I mean, so many urban treats to devour, but then
you've got so many day tripping options, so go explore.
I mean, as one example, Vancouver Island, which is like
a whorld into itself. It's just such an easy ride away.
You can grab a faerry, you can take a float plane.
(01:12):
You can go there for the day and get back
for a great dinner in Vancouver, but Lionsgate Bridge just
north of Stanley Park, I reckon that doubles as the
gateway to the great outdoors in BC.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Yeah, okay, it's a yeah, a place that attracts a
lot of people to carry To deal with the carry
on controversy from last week, do you agree that Capilano
is overrated?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Very controversial suggestion, Jack Tame. I would agree that it
is one of Canada's shameless tourist traps. It's one of
the oldest tourist traps. It's been luring travelers since the
eighteen eighties. Yeah. But this is where I perhaps would
beg to differ. Now. I agree we have a stack
of big boy swing bridges New Zealand, absolutely, But where
(02:03):
I think Capellano has the advantage height in the length
is next to level. So as an example, say Bull
of Gorge Swing Bridge, which I love, Capellano is twice
as long and nearly three times higher than the Bull
of Gorge Swing Bridge.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So I reckon, Yeah, I reckon. It just delivers that
sort of floating on air experience as you cruise across it,
and it's slung so high across those cedar scented trees,
the Douglas Firs, you've got the churning waters below. So yeah,
I think it is pretty hard to beat Jack.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
It is certainly big, it is certainly significant, and the
setting is beautiful. I think the thing that was, you know,
with me with the Capilana suspension is maybe I was
just being a bit snotty and being like, well, you
have to pay to go here. A bit in New
Zealand you can go on the suspension bridge for free,
so maybe maybe this is part of my thing. But
you're right, it is sizable and like this little wonder
(03:05):
that so many people take amazing photos there. So beyond
the bridge, what was the discovery that you encountered at
Cappellana recently?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah, well that said, I mean, over the years, they
have added to the bridge in terms of various experiences,
like they've got that cliff edge walk, they've got a
massive treetops walk which is so similar to the Redwoods
and Rotaua with lots of interconnecting bridges. But what I
love discovering a few weeks ago at Cappelano Jack Raptors Ridge,
(03:35):
so you can get right up close with local birds
of prey and best of all, if there's just one
reason to go to Capelano, go and meet the great
horned owl. I've never come across this bird before, but
it's this giant night hunter and it's a grand looking bird.
It's faces like a portrait of nobility, and it's got
(03:58):
a two meter wingspan and all of its feathers are
really soft edged, so it's like a silent assassin. It
just swoops on it pray at night without even old whisper.
But it is the most gorgeous, gorgeous burden. I just
you know, I was as ogling as ol for quite
some time at Caperlano.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
See.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
I think I think for me, you know that the
older I get, the twitter I get. I think for
me that in itself is good reason to go to
see that game would be It would be an amazing thing.
So I'm into that. Okay, good? Yeah, if we're heading
further afield, what about the Sea to Sky Highway.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes, So this is the highway that connects Van Kuber
with Whistler, and it's a really nice scenic drive. Much
of it skims the glacial fjord of how Sounds, so
you get just gorgeous views all the way along, and
I love looking at the rock faces on that Ceedar
sky Highway because it's like a very basic geological lesson,
(04:57):
and the ice age because all of those rock faces
are all just so grooved and smooth as a result
of all that glacial grind back in the day. And
then you've got the sky high spirelike peaks of the
Tentless Range. It is the most gorgeous mountain range. If
you are wanting to go to Whistler once again a
(05:19):
bit like Vancouver Island, you can do it as a
day trip. You might want to spend longer there to
do some hikes. But if you go there as a
day trip, the one thing I would suggest you experience
is peak to peak. So this is this high wire
gondola extrava Gamza. It is like an engineering tutive force
(05:39):
because it actually slings you across various mountaintops between Whistler
and Black Come. So it's the gondola ride is over
four kilometers long, which is insane.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
So yeah, just put that at the top of your
checklist if you're going there for the day trip. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Nice, Okay, why are you recommending people explore Squamish?
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah? So This is about halfway on the highway to Whistler,
and you could actually just take a jawn to Squamish
and be quite content with a great day out. The
area is in Trancing Jack And the thing about Squamish
is its home to Stowamu's Chief, which is one of
the world's biggest granite monoligusts. And as you approach it,
it's like, oh, have I just stumbled into Yosemite? Am
(06:28):
I looking at El Capitan? Or am I looking at
the Rock of Gibraltar. It is just enormous and it's vitigenous.
The rock face sawing straight up for seven hundred meters,
And I mean, for a cheap day out, just go
to Squamish Ogle Stillama's Chief and watch all those rock
(06:48):
climbers ascending the wall like little ants on a high
stakes mission. There is actually a really good trail that
takes you up the back of it, so you can
get right up to its peak without having to go
straight up.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Oh nice, Yeah, how about Grouse Mountain?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think it is a really good crowd pleaser, no
matter the season. Obviously, you know during the winter months,
a lot of locals in Vancouver will say how they'll
go over there for nighttime skiing, particularly if you live
in North Vancouver. But at this time of year, Jack
right through to November. If you want to see some grizzlies,
Grouse's Grouse for the bear refuge. It is still home
(07:30):
to Grinder and Cooler. I saw these guys about fifteen
years ago, similar to when you were there. And these
guys have been playing to the gallery now for twenty
five years. They were rescued as cubs after their mothers
were killed. They're just such colossal bars of ferocious fluff.
They are rock stars, these two. And if you're wondering,
(07:51):
they hibernated for one hundred and forty four days last winter.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Oh as you do in nice life, wouldn't it, Yeah exactly?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yeah, Yeah, any other tips then, yeah, A great little
jaunt just beneath House Mountain as Lower long Stale. So
this is a really trending neighborhood in North Vancouver and
you can actually get over there from downtown Vancouver on
a sea bus ferry. But it was it's a really
interesting area because previously it was one of Canada's main
(08:22):
ship building centers and it's all been repurposed. Got a
very strong nautical theme, but it's like just a hive
of condos and plazas and beer gardens and food halls.
In fact, I would suggest you go to Old World Confections.
I thought of you, Jack.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
They've got very good fudge, very good fuge, and also
craft culture in the food hall for the yogurt ice cream,
which is just fantastic.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Best of all, you've got the most amazing views of
the city skyline across the water from Lower lin Stale,
so definitely worth a little jaunt over there.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Ah so hey, thank you so much, Mike. All of
Mike's trips and insights on datrip adventures from Vancouver will
be up at Newstalk SB dot co dot nz. It's
twenty seven minutes to twelve before midday. We've got new
music from the Rolling Stones, your book picks for the
weekend coming up in a few minutes, and Jason Pine
counting down the minutes to the all back second Test
of twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks a'b.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Mike Hardley is our travel corresponding. He's got a tough
assignment today today, Mike.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Yeah, good morning Jack. I'm here to convince.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yes. No, Well, as we always say on Saturday Mornings,
famously open minded, Mike, so famously open minded. And you
know I did the maths last week after we spoke.
I reckon it's more than fifteen years since I was
last in Vancouver, so you know it is fair to
say that I haven't been there anytime recently. And you know,
famously open minded. So there are a stack of day
(00:42):
trip options beyond downtown, right, there are all sorts of
things to keep you occupied if you want to leave
Vancouver city problem.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
This is what I think is the secret to Vancouver's success.
I mean, so many urban treats to devour, but then
you've got so many day tripping options, so go explore.
I mean, as one example, Vancouver Island, which is like
a whorld into itself. It's just such an easy ride away.
You can grab a faerry, you can take a float plane.
(01:12):
You can go there for the day and get back
for a great dinner in Vancouver, but Lionsgate Bridge just
north of Stanley Park, I reckon that doubles as the
gateway to the great outdoors in BC.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Yeah, okay, it's a yeah, a place that attracts a
lot of people to carry To deal with the carry
on controversy from last week, do you agree that Capilano
is overrated?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Very controversial suggestion, Jack Tame. I would agree that it
is one of Canada's shameless tourist traps. It's one of
the oldest tourist traps. It's been luring travelers since the
eighteen eighties. Yeah. But this is where I perhaps would
beg to differ. Now. I agree we have a stack
of big boy swing bridges New Zealand, absolutely, But where
(02:03):
I think Capellano has the advantage height in the length
is next to level. So as an example, say Bull
of Gorge Swing Bridge, which I love, Capellano is twice
as long and nearly three times higher than the Bull
of Gorge Swing Bridge.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So I reckon, Yeah, I reckon. It just delivers that
sort of floating on air experience as you cruise across it,
and it's slung so high across those cedar scented trees,
the Douglas Firs, you've got the churning waters below. So yeah,
I think it is pretty hard to beat Jack.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
It is certainly big, it is certainly significant, and the
setting is beautiful. I think the thing that was, you know,
with me with the Capilana suspension is maybe I was
just being a bit snotty and being like, well, you
have to pay to go here. A bit in New
Zealand you can go on the suspension bridge for free,
so maybe maybe this is part of my thing. But
you're right, it is sizable and like this little wonder
(03:05):
that so many people take amazing photos there. So beyond
the bridge, what was the discovery that you encountered at
Cappellana recently?
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Yeah, well that said, I mean, over the years, they
have added to the bridge in terms of various experiences,
like they've got that cliff edge walk, they've got a
massive treetops walk which is so similar to the Redwoods
and Rotaua with lots of interconnecting bridges. But what I
love discovering a few weeks ago at Cappelano Jack Raptors Ridge,
(03:35):
so you can get right up close with local birds
of prey and best of all, if there's just one
reason to go to Capelano, go and meet the great
horned owl. I've never come across this bird before, but
it's this giant night hunter and it's a grand looking bird.
It's faces like a portrait of nobility, and it's got
(03:58):
a two meter wingspan and all of its feathers are
really soft edged, so it's like a silent assassin. It
just swoops on it pray at night without even old whisper.
But it is the most gorgeous, gorgeous burden. I just
you know, I was as ogling as ol for quite
some time at Caperlano.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
See.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
I think I think for me, you know that the
older I get, the twitter I get. I think for
me that in itself is good reason to go to
see that game would be It would be an amazing thing.
So I'm into that. Okay, good? Yeah, if we're heading
further afield, what about the Sea to Sky Highway.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes, So this is the highway that connects Van Kuber
with Whistler, and it's a really nice scenic drive. Much
of it skims the glacial fjord of how Sounds, so
you get just gorgeous views all the way along, and
I love looking at the rock faces on that Ceedar
sky Highway because it's like a very basic geological lesson,
(04:57):
and the ice age because all of those rock faces
are all just so grooved and smooth as a result
of all that glacial grind back in the day. And
then you've got the sky high spirelike peaks of the
Tentless Range. It is the most gorgeous mountain range. If
you are wanting to go to Whistler once again a
(05:19):
bit like Vancouver Island, you can do it as a
day trip. You might want to spend longer there to
do some hikes. But if you go there as a
day trip, the one thing I would suggest you experience
is peak to peak. So this is this high wire
gondola extrava Gamza. It is like an engineering tutive force
(05:39):
because it actually slings you across various mountaintops between Whistler
and Black Come. So it's the gondola ride is over
four kilometers long, which is insane.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
So yeah, just put that at the top of your
checklist if you're going there for the day trip. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Nice, Okay, why are you recommending people explore Squamish?
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah? So This is about halfway on the highway to Whistler,
and you could actually just take a jawn to Squamish
and be quite content with a great day out. The
area is in Trancing Jack And the thing about Squamish
is its home to Stowamu's Chief, which is one of
the world's biggest granite monoligusts. And as you approach it,
it's like, oh, have I just stumbled into Yosemite? Am
(06:28):
I looking at El Capitan? Or am I looking at
the Rock of Gibraltar. It is just enormous and it's vitigenous.
The rock face sawing straight up for seven hundred meters,
And I mean, for a cheap day out, just go
to Squamish Ogle Stillama's Chief and watch all those rock
(06:48):
climbers ascending the wall like little ants on a high
stakes mission. There is actually a really good trail that
takes you up the back of it, so you can
get right up to its peak without having to go
straight up.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Oh nice, Yeah, how about Grouse Mountain?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think it is a really good crowd pleaser, no
matter the season. Obviously, you know during the winter months,
a lot of locals in Vancouver will say how they'll
go over there for nighttime skiing, particularly if you live
in North Vancouver. But at this time of year, Jack
right through to November. If you want to see some grizzlies,
Grouse's Grouse for the bear refuge. It is still home
(07:30):
to Grinder and Cooler. I saw these guys about fifteen
years ago, similar to when you were there. And these
guys have been playing to the gallery now for twenty
five years. They were rescued as cubs after their mothers
were killed. They're just such colossal bars of ferocious fluff.
They are rock stars, these two. And if you're wondering,
(07:51):
they hibernated for one hundred and forty four days last winter.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Oh as you do in nice life, wouldn't it, Yeah exactly?
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Yeah, Yeah, any other tips then, yeah, A great little
jaunt just beneath House Mountain as Lower long Stale. So
this is a really trending neighborhood in North Vancouver and
you can actually get over there from downtown Vancouver on
a sea bus ferry. But it was it's a really
interesting area because previously it was one of Canada's main
(08:22):
ship building centers and it's all been repurposed. Got a
very strong nautical theme, but it's like just a hive
of condos and plazas and beer gardens and food halls.
In fact, I would suggest you go to Old World Confections.
I thought of you, Jack.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
They've got very good fudge, very good fuge, and also
craft culture in the food hall for the yogurt ice cream,
which is just fantastic.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Best of all, you've got the most amazing views of
the city skyline across the water from Lower lin Stale,
so definitely worth a little jaunt over there.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Ah so hey, thank you so much, Mike. All of
Mike's trips and insights on datrip adventures from Vancouver will
be up at Newstalk SB dot co dot nz. It's
twenty seven minutes to twelve before midday. We've got new
music from the Rolling Stones, your book picks for the
weekend coming up in a few minutes, and Jason Pine
counting down the minutes to the all back second Test
of twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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