Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
near the ferry dock date to the 1940s. Back then, the island was a popular holiday spot, at
one point even boasting a floating hotel.
A 7.5-kilometer (4.7-mile) walking trail (allow 2-3 hours) encircles the island, leading
to picturesque Kanaka Bay, Mallard Lake, and a lookout offering views east to the snow-
capped Coast Mountains.
Nanaimo Harbour Ferry
(877/297-8526, no reservations) departs for the island from
Maffeo-SuttonParkinsummerevery20minutes9am-9pmonthehour,withfewersailings
in spring and fall. The round-trip fare is $9 per adult, $8 per senior, and $5 per child.
AlongtheMillstoneRiverandlinkedbyatrailtothewaterfrontpromenade,36-hectare
(89-acre)
Bowen Park
remainsmostlyinitsnaturalstate,withstandsofDouglasfir,hem-
lock, cedar, and maple. It's home to beavers and birds, and even deer are occasionally
sighted within its boundaries. Street access is from Bowen Road.
On the road into downtown Nanaimo from the south, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north
of the Nanaimo Parkway intersection,
Petroglyph Provincial Park
features a short trail
leadingtoancientpetroglyphs(rockcarvings).Petroglyphs,foundthroughouttheprovince
and common along the coastal waterways, were made with stone tools, and they recorded
important ceremonies and events. The designs at this park were carved thousands of years
ago and are believed to represent human beings, animals (real and supernatural), bottom-
fish, and the rarely depicted sea wolf, a mythical creature that's part wolf and part killer
whale.
West of downtown (take Wentworth Street and then Jingle Pot Road across the
Nanaimo Parkway), 106-hectare (262-acre)
Westwood Lake Park
surrounds the crystal-
clearwatersofitsnamesakelake.ResidentflocksofCanadageeseandducks,tameenough
to snatch food from your fingers, inhabit the park. The lake's healthy population of cut-
throat trout attracts anglers year-round.
Along Hammond Bay Road, north of downtown and beyond Departure Bay, is
Piper's
Lagoon Park,
encompassing an isthmus and a rocky headland that shelter a shallow la-
goon. A trail from the parking lot leads to the headland, with views of the mainland across
theStraitofGeorgia.Continuingnorth,moretrailsleadthrough
Neck Point Park
torocky
beaches and oceanside picnic areas.
