Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Save time for a poke around charming Cumberland, a town built on mining that's now
luring artsy young residents from across BC to its clapboard shops and houses. Get some
mission by donation; 10am-5pm)
, with its little walk-through mine exhibit, then drop into
Dark Side Chocolates
(
www.darksidechocolates.com
; 2722 Dunsmuir Ave; choc selections from
$5;
10am-4:30pm Tue-Sat)
for treats (mint melties recommended).
Sleeping & Eating
Riding Fool Hostel
HOSTEL$
( 250-336-8250, 888-313-3665;
www.ridingfool.com
; 2705 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland; dm/r
$25/60; )
One of BC's top hostels colonizes a restored Cumberland heritage build-
ing with rustic wooden interiors, a large kitchen and lounge area and - along with its
small dorms - the kind of neat and tidy private rooms often found in midrange hotels. Bi-
cycle rentals are available downstairs: this is a great hostel for hanging out with the
mountain-biking crowd.
Kingfisher Oceanside Resort
HOTEL$$$
( 250-338-1323, 800-663-7929;
www.kingfisherspa.com
; 4330 Island Hwy, Courtenay; r/ste from
$145/220; )
At this boutique waterfront lodge many of the rooms are oriented
to focus on the waterfront, framed by islands and mountains. Rooms are generally large
and comfortable, and many have full kitchens, so you can save on dining out - you'll
likely blow it at the spa, though. A good spot to take a break from your road trip, there
are some good off-season deals here.
Waverley Hotel Pub
BURGERS$$$
(
www.waverleyhotel.ca
; 2692 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland; mains $9-15)
If you're keen to meet
the locals in Cumberland, hit this historic saloon for a pint of Blue Buck Ale. Food is of
the hearty pub-grub variety - how many more reasons do you need to have a burger? -
and there are often live bands on the kick-ass little stage.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Campbell River
POP 29,500
Southerners will tell you this marks the end of Vancouver Island civilization, but Camp-
bell River is a handy drop-off point for wilderness tourism in Strathcona Provincial Park
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