Perth-Andover, New Brunswick: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Perth-Andover is a former village on both sides of the Saint John River in western New Brunswick. It is part of the River Valley region and is known for Perth and Andover history, river scenery, the Waterfront Adventure Centre, local trails, museum context and its current place within Southern Victoria.
The community is built around a river crossing. Perth sits on one side of the Saint John River and Andover on the other, a layout that still explains how visitors move through the village area today.
How Perth-Andover Started
Perth-Andover began as two separate communities. The Community of Southern Victoria’s history page explains that Perth was on the east side of the Saint John River and Andover on the west, and that they were amalgamated into one village in 1966.
The local history page connects Perth with 19th-century settlement, land grants and the naming influence of Perth, Scotland. It also identifies the Larlee family as early settlers in the Perth area and notes the importance of soldiers’ routes between Saint John and Quebec.
Andover’s story developed on the west side of the river. The same municipal history source describes early settlement, Baptist worship in homes, the first highway bridge and later bridge replacements that changed movement across the Saint John River.
In 2023, Perth-Andover changed municipal form again when it became part of the larger Southern Victoria community through New Brunswick’s local governance reform. The older community name remains useful because it still describes the river village people know on the ground.
The result is a layered identity: two river settlements, one 1966 village, then a 2023 place within Southern Victoria. Current travellers should expect older local names and newer municipal names to appear together.
What Perth-Andover Is Like Today
Perth-Andover had a 2021 census population of 1,574 within the former village boundary. Current municipal information appears under Southern Victoria, so visitors may see both names when checking services, events and recreation.
The river is the main organizing feature. Roads, parks, local services, bridges, marina access and viewpoints all relate to the Saint John River valley.
The community has a service-centre role for nearby rural areas. It has municipal offices, recreation facilities, a library, visitor information, health services, trails and local businesses that support residents and travellers in the wider valley.
Perth-Andover’s visitor appeal is steady rather than flashy. It is a place for river context, local history, outdoor rentals, community events and short stops that make a western New Brunswick trip feel more grounded.
The local history source also points visitors toward the museum in the old Methodist church on West Riverside Drive. That kind of small community museum is valuable here because many of the important stories are local, family-based and tied to both sides of the river.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start at the Waterfront Adventure Centre and Marina in season. The municipal tourism page places the tourism information centre at the Waterfront Adventure Centre, and the facility provides visitor information, equipment rentals and river access.
Use the history page before visiting the local museum. Southern Victoria’s local history material points visitors toward museum context in the old Methodist church on West Riverside Drive in Andover.
Check the ski and snowshoe information if visiting in winter. The municipality describes community trails in Carlingford for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and walking when trails are groomed.
Spend time along the river if weather allows. The community’s layout makes more sense from the water-facing roads, bridge areas and waterfront park spaces.
Review Southern Victoria pages before planning around events or public facilities. Since the 2023 reform, current schedules and service details may not appear under the old village name.
Use the Waterfront Adventure Centre as the planning hub when it is open. It combines visitor information with river access, which fits Perth-Andover better than treating the community as a quick drive-through point.
Quick Facts
- Province: New Brunswick
- Region: River Valley
- Municipality type: village in 2021 census data; now part of Southern Victoria
- 2021 census population: 1,574 within the former village boundary
- Main setting: both sides of the Saint John River near the Tobique River area
- Official website: https://www.vilsv.ca/
- Key visitor areas: Waterfront Adventure Centre, marina, local museum context, Saint John River viewpoints and community trails
- Main routes: Route 105, Route 109, Route 130 and river bridge approaches
Travel Notes
Perth-Andover is most useful as a river-valley stop with services, history and seasonal outdoor options. Confirm Waterfront Adventure Centre hours before planning around rentals or visitor information.
Winter can be good for trails if conditions are groomed, but weather and road conditions matter. In any season, use current Southern Victoria pages for municipal updates because older references may still use Perth-Andover.
Spring river conditions deserve extra attention. The Saint John River is central to the community’s setting, but high water, ice and weather can affect waterfront access, trails and local driving.