Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Butchart Gardens
For over a century, the
incomparable Butchart Gardens,
wrung out of a worked-out quar-
ry, have awed visitors with their
lush and varied beauty
(see p38)
.
d
800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood
Bay
•
Map E5
•
250 652 5256
•
Open
Jun-Sep: 9am-10:30pm daily; other-
wise closing times vary
•
Adm
Broken Group Islands
An archipelago of some 100
rugged islands and islets is para-
dise for nature lovers, kayakers,
and scuba divers. The area around
Barkley Sound has outstanding
views of coastal rainforest, beach-
es, and sea caves. Accessible
only by boat, a guided tour is the
best way to experience this iso-
lated wilderness. Jamie's Whaling
Station in Tofino offers harbor and
specialty tours.
d
Map B5
•
Jamie's
Whaling Station: 250 725 3919
•
Van-
couver Island Kayak: 250 480 9409
Victoria's Butchart Gardens
Goldstream Provincial Park
Massive old-growth Douglas
firs, some 600 years old, tower
overhead in this mystic rainforest
only 12 mi (19 km) from Victoria.
Once a fishing ground for the
Coast Salish, miners overran the
park during the Gold Rush of the
late 1850s
(see p17)
. An annual
fall salmon run on the Goldstream
River attracts hundreds of majes-
tic bald eagles. Dropping 155 ft
(48 m) into a canyon pool, the
park's waterfall is easily reached
by a five-minute walk along a
trail. A visitor house offers a
variety of weekend activities.
d
Map E6
•
Freeman King Visitor
Centre: 2930 Trans Canada Hwy
•
250
478 9414
•
Open 9am-4:30pm daily
Parksville
Parksville's beautiful
Rathtrevor Beach is easily accessi-
ble for a bevy of waterside sports
and activities. Dip your toes in the
gentle surf, build sandcastles, dig
clams, canoe, or camp along the
4 miles (7 km) of sand. Swim in
the warmest saltwater north of
California. Nearby are mini-golf
courses, bistros, and numerous art
studios for one-of-a-kind
souvenirs.
d
Map C4
Qualicum Beach
Vancouver
Parksville
Lantzville
Port Alberni
Gabriola
Island
Qualicum Beach
Beachcombers and
kayakers find delightful
Qualicum Beach and its
nearby British-style vil-
lage a pedestrian-friend-
ly stopover. The curved
beach overlooking the
Strait of Georgia
presents magnificent
sunsets.
d
Map C4
Nanaimo
Vancouver Island
Ladysmith
Chemainus
Galiano
Island
Nitinat
Mayne
Island
Saturna
Island
Lake
Cowichan
Lake
Cowichan
Sarita
Salt
Spring
Island
Honeymoon
Bay
Pender
Island
Bamfield
Duncan
Cape
Beale
Sidney
Clo-oose
Port Renfrew
River Jordon
Sooke
Victoria
miles
km
30
0
30
See Vancouver Island aboard the Malahat train, running from Victoria
to Courtenay, and alight as often as you like; visit www.viarail.ca
101
