Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gold River
Those looking for a glimpse of Vancouver Island away from the touristy east coast will
find the 90-kilometer (56-mile) drive west from Campbell River to Gold River (pop.
1,700) both enjoyable and interesting. Boat tours into Nootka Sound make the trip even
more worthwhile.
Beyond the west boundary of Strathcona Provincial Park, Highway 28 descends along
the Heber River to its confluence with the Gold River, where the town lies. Built in 1965
to house employees of a pulp mill, it was the first all-electric town in Canada. The orderly
streetsseemalittleoutofplaceamidthesurroundingwilderness,whichiswhymostresid-
ents and visitors alike are drawn to the area. The natural highlight of Gold River is
Upana
Caves,
but unless you're a spelunker, chances are you've never heard of them. The caves,
accessed16kilometers(10miles)westoftownfromHeadBayForestRoad,arethelargest
cave system north of Mexico and include a river that flows underground for 150 meters
(500 feet) through eroded limestone bedrock. Meanwhile, anglers and kayakers head out
to Muchalat Inlet as golfers walk the fairways of the town's nine-hole course simply be-
cause it's there.
Rooms at the
Ridgeview Motor Inn
(395 Donner Ct., 250/283-2277 or 800/989-3393,
www.ridgeview-inn.com
, $115-155 s or d) were a lot nicer than expected, and each comes
with a fridge, TV, and phone. A light breakfast is included in the rates. The adjacent pub/
restaurant serves decent food and has an outdoor eating area with fantastic valley views.
The
Lions Campground,
on the edge of town, has unserviced sites for $15.
At the entrance to town, stop at the
Gold River Visitor Centre
(Muchalat Dr., 250/
283-2418,
www.goldriver.ca
, 9am-4:30pm daily mid-May to Aug.).
Cruising Nootka Sound
The best reason to travel west from Campbell River is to take a cruise along Muchalat
InlettoNootkaSound.The
MV
Uchuck III
(250/283-2515,
www.getwest.ca
)
,aconverted
World War II minesweeper, departs year-round from the dock at the end of Highway 28
(14 kilometers/8.7 miles west from Gold River). Its primary purpose is dropping supplies
atremotewestcoastcommunities andloggingcamps,butinterested visitorsaremorethan
welcome and are made to feel comfortable by the hardworking crew. Every Tuesday at
9am,theboatsetsoutonadaytriparoundNootkaSoundfor$70peradult,$65persenior.
On Wednesday, it's off to Friendly Cove (adult $80, senior $75). The main sailing departs
June-September every Thursday at 7am, heading out to the open ocean and up the coast to
