Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
kaleidoscope of colors, the grounds are divided into separate garden areas - the tranquil
Japanese Garden is a favorite.
A great spot to spend a balmy Vancouver Island evening, Butchart Gardens is also a
popular destination for a spot of afternoon tea in its chintzy Dining Room Restaurant.
WORTH A DETOUR
TOFINO
Lovely Tofino, hugging itself against the crashing surf on the west coast of Van-
couver Island, has boomed in recent years to become the de facto capital of the
rainforested
Pacific Rim National Park
. It's a great place to head if you're plan-
ning to extend your Vancouver Island stay beyond Victoria, and the drive there
will take you through the heart of the region.
You'll find plenty of seaside hotels and resorts and a smattering of good sea-
food restaurants in and around the town, but really it's all about the outdoors.
The area's tumultuous waves attract surfers and storm watchers in equal meas-
ure, while
Clayoquot Sound
is famed for its idyllic kayaking. There are also plenty
of hiking trails and wilderness treks, and popular whale-watching excursions on
offer.
Drive here via Hwy 1 and Hwy 4 from Victoria (314km). The way becomes in-
creasingly windy as you thread through the mountains before reaching the coun-
try's real West Coast. From here, you could swim all the way to Japan if you de-
sired - but that might be extending your vacation a little too far.
EATING & DRINKING
RED FISH BLUE FISH
SEAFOOD
$
(
www.redfish-bluefish.com
;
1006 Wharf St; mains $6-20; 11:30am-7pm Mon-Thu, to 8pm Fri-
Sun, reduced hours off-season)
On the waterfront boardwalk at the foot of Broughton St,
this freight-container takeout shack serves a loyal clientele who just can't get enough of
its fresh, sustainable seafood. Highlights such as scallop tacone (cone-shaped taco),
tempura battered fish and chips, and the signature chunky Pacific Rim chowder all hit
the spot. Find a waterfront perch to enjoy your nosh, but watch out for hovering seagull
mobsters.
