Welcome. We hope you discover the many ways you can “Explore the Beauty” of the magnificent Destination Nackawic region! We are located in the heart land of New Brunswick, Canada.
This website is owned and operated by the not-for-profit Destination Nackawic Economic Development Corporation. The DNEDC was incorporated to provide the Destination Nackawic region the capacity to define pathways forward in order to achieve sustainability and economic growth. With that, DNEDC focuses on seeking partnerships and collaboration involving the region’s residents, businesses and the public sector.
The Mactaquac Headpond is a body of water on the Saint John River. It was formed in the 1970s by the development of the Mactaquac Hydro Dam. The Headpond helps to distinguish the land which it surrounds and touches – i.e., those lands defined as traditional parishes of south-west York County that have shoreline on the Mactaquac Headpond.
The geographical boundaries of the Destination Nackawic region are therefore defined in the by-laws of DNEDC to specifically include:
The town of Nackawic, Bright Parish, Canterbury Parish, Dumfries Parish, Prince William Parish, Queensbury Parish, Southampton Parish, Village of Canterbury, Village of Meductic, Village of Millville, and that portion of Kingsclear Parish which includes the properties that are adjacent to Route 102 or the roads or streets that connect to Route 102 that are west of Mactaquac Road, all in the County of York in New Brunswick, Canada.
With approximately a 50 km radius, the Destination Nackawic region defines us, connects us, entertains us, and continues to inspire us. Some refer to the Town of Nackawic’s Waterfront as a “Lake Louise moment” of central New Brunswick. No matter where you invest in the Destination Nackawic region, our waterfront panoramic backdrop – placid, pretty, and pristine – will inspire you too!
Come adventure in Destination Nackawic. Become a part of our exquisitely designed Nackawic Waterfront business opportunities. Build a dream experience of your own making. Whatever you are destined for, visit us and consider putting your investment in the Destination Nackawic region. Better yet, let us help you put your investment on the water!
Be sure to come and Explore the possibilities with us soon!
The Best of Both Worlds: Enjoy the Loop Scenic Drive
Destination Nackawic offers all the comforts and community you’d expect from small town country living—coupled with the conveniences that come with living near more densely-populated areas. New Brunswick’s capital city, Fredericton, is only about a 30-minute drive east. The town of Woodstock is a 25-minute drive west, which also puts you close to the U.S. border.
The portion of the Saint John River Valley leading to the Destination Nackawic region is truly one of the most beautiful areas in the entire province. Colourful trees line the banks of the mighty Saint John (sometimes called the Wolastoq river), which flows northeast from Maine through Destination Nackawic and beyond.
The great outdoors literally runs through the Destination Nackawic region. Route 105 and Route 102 run the length of the river and, conveniently, run parallel to the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH). Compared to highway driving, the Loop Scenic Drive offers a welcome breath of fresh air!
Close to three million vehicles pass the Town of Nackawic on the TCH every year. Are you one of them? Why stare at transport trucks when you could drive along the sparkling river bend? Try taking the road less travelled to experience breathtaking scenery and historic bridges instead.
The Forestry Capital of Canada
Did you know? Over 80% of New Brunswick is covered in trees! Forests cover more than six million hectares (15 million acres) of the province.
Dating back as far as the early 1800s, New Brunswick was a source of lumber for shipbuilding and ship repair. Forestry is now the province’s largest industry, and Destination Nackawic has some of the largest and most diverse hardwood forests in the province. The town’s largest employer has always been the local mill; it remains one of N.B.’s largest employers.
The Destination Nackawic region is so well-known for its tree and lumber industry, the town was named the Forestry Capital of Canada in 1991.
Home of the World’s Largest Axe
Axes have been used for hundreds of years to split and cut wood and harvest timber. To commemorate being named the Forestry Capital of Canada, Nackawic commissioned the World’s Largest Axe.
This giant axe stands an impressive 15 meters tall and it is a popular tourist stop. The axe symbolizes the importance of forests—both to the Destination Nackawic region and our province. Proudly located in the centre of town, you can find it on the Town of Nackawic waterfront, which is quickly becoming the ultimate tourist destination on the Saint John River headpond.
Destination Nackawic’s Naturally Colourful History
Both the woods and the water have historic significance within Destination Nackawic. The name Nackawic comes from the Maliseet word meaning “straight” or “not in the direction it seems” because of the optical illusion created where the Saint John River meets the Nackawic Stream.
Nackawic (once called Otis) was officially incorporated as a town in 1976. It was created to provide an area for people who were displaced by the building of the Mactaquac Dam to live. People were forced to relocate after much of the Saint John River Valley was flooded as a result of the Mactaquac Dam project, the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Atlantic Canada at the time.
First settled in 1784 by the loyalists, many of the Destination Nackawic region’s original homes can be seen at Kings Landing Historic Settlement. This living-history village about a 20-minute drive from the town of Nackawic, represents life in the central Saint John River Valley throughout the 19th century, preserving an important piece of our history.
So, we must axe you a question: when are you coming to Destination Nackawic?
Destination Nackawic’s world-class beauty is 100% natural, so if you’re a nature lover, you’ll love it here! From public beaches, camping and boating in the summer to snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, the Destination Nackawic region is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. This is a great place to soak up all the wonders nature has to offer—and it’s also a great place to live, start a business or invest.
