Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Through town to the west, take Bayswater Road inland a short way to reach the
government-operated
Big Qualicum Hatchery
(215 Fisheries Rd., 250/757-8412), where
a wooded trail leads to holding tanks and an artificial spawning channel.
The year's biggest event is the Father's Day (mid-June)
Show & Shine
(
www.seasidecruizers.com
)
, which sees Qualicum's streets filled with antique and hot rod
cars from throughout North America.
Horne Lake Caves
If you can drag yourself away from Qualicum Beach, consider a half-day detour inland to
one of Vancouver Island's most intriguing natural attractions, Horne Lake Caves, which
are protected as a provincial park. To get there, continue along the old coastal highway for
11 kilometers (6.8 miles) beyond Qualicum Beach and turn off at the Horne Lake Store,
following the road for 16 kilometers (10 miles) west to Horne Lake. Two caves are open
for exploration without a guide. There's no charge for entering these caves, but you'll
need a helmet and light source, which can be rented for $8.50 per person. Several differ-
ent guided tours of the more interesting caves are offered. The 90-minute
Family Cav-
ern Tour of Riverbend Cave
(adult $24, child $20) includes a short walk as well as un-
derground exploration and explanation. All caves are open 10am-4pm daily mid-June to
September.Aprivatecontractor(250/248-7829,
www.hornelake.com
)
runsthetoursusing
qualified guides. The company also operates the
campground
($24-26 per night), has ca-
noes for rent, and organizes a variety of educational programs such as rock-climbing and
guided nature walks.
Accommodations and Camping
Lookingforaplacetostaylikenootheryou'veeverexperienced?Thenmakereservations
at
Free Spirit Spheres
(420 Horne Lake Rd., 250/757-9445,
www.freespiritspheres.com
,
$145-235 s, $165-235 d). Accommodation consists of three perfectly round, three-meter-
wide (10-foot-wide) wooden spheres hanging from towering old-growth trees. Each com-
prises a small flat area, a shortish bed, windows, and a door that opens to a walkway con-
nected to the ground. Bathrooms are shared and also at ground level.
Old Dutch Inn
(2690 Island Hwy. W., 250/752-6914 or 800/661-0199,
www.olddutchinn.com
, $150-200 s or d) is across the road from the ocean and within
walking distance of Qualicum Beach Golf Club. After extensive renovations in 2013, the
site hasbeencompletely modernized andnowfeatures modernrooms,anindoorpool,and
a large outdoor patio and lounge.
