Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Followthesignsoffthemainhighwaytotheoriginalcitycenterforaquickwanderaround
therenovated
Old Town.
(Freetwo-hourparkingisavailablebehindtherailwaystationon
Canada Avenue.) Start your totem-pole hunt here or just wander down the streets oppos-
ite the railway station to appreciate some of the pleasing older architecture, such as City
Hall on the corner of Kenneth and Craig Streets. Two distinctly different native carvings
standsidebysidebehindCityHall—aNativeAmericancarvingandaNewZealandMaori
carving donated by Duncan's sister city in New Zealand, Kaikohe.
Apartfromthetotempoles,Duncan'smainattractionistheexcellent
Quw'utsun' Cul-
tural Centre
(200CowichanWay,250/746-8119,10am-4pmMon.-Sat.Junetomid-Sept.,
adult $13, senior $10, child $6), on the south side of downtown. Representing the arts,
crafts, legends, and traditions of a 3,500-strong Quw'utsun' population spread throughout
the Cowichan Valley, this facility features a longhouse, a carving shed, dance perform-
ances, a café with native cuisine (and summertime salmon barbecues), and a gift shop
selling Cowichan sweaters.
Anotherlocalattractionisthe40-hectare(98-acre)
BC Forest Discovery Centre
(2892
Drinkwater Rd., 1 kilometer/0.6 mile north of town, 250/715-1113, 10am-4:30pm daily
June-Aug.,10am-4pm Thurs.-Mon.Apr.-MayandSept., adult $16,senior $14,child $11).
Youcancatcharideonanoldsteamtrainandpuffbackintime,throughtheforestandpast
a farmstead, a logging camp, and Somenos Lake. Then check out the working sawmill, re-
storedplanermill,blacksmith'sshop,andforestryandlumberdisplays.Themainmuseum
buildingholdsmoderndisplayspertainingtotheindustry,includinghands-onandinteract-
ive computer displays and an interesting audiovisual exhibit. The grounds are a pleasant
place to wander through shady glades of trees (most identified) or over to the pond, where
you'll find a gaggle of friendly geese awaiting a tasty morsel.
Practicalities
M
Sahtlam Lodge and Cabins
(5720 Riverbottom Rd. W., 250/748-7738 or 877/
748-7738,
www.sahtlamlodge.com
,
from $180 s or d, three-night minimum stay required)
is beside the Cowichan River west of town. Three cabins are spread across the property,
and each is equipped with an old-style fireplace, woodstove, and full kitchen. A breakfast
basket delivered daily to your cabin is included. Back in town, the
Thunderbird Motor
Inn
(5849YorkRd.,250/748-8192,
www.thunderbirdmotorinn.ca
,
$75-120sord)isaba-
sic roadside motel on the north side of town. Rooms are older, but clean, and each has a
microwave, fridge, and free wireless Internet. On the south side of the river is the turnoff
