Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
has Canada's only steam-powered sawmill, and it still works, so you can watch workers
milling lumber through the clunky contraption. To get to the mill under your own steam,
take Highway 4 west through town and turn north on Beaver Creek Road.
Find out more about the origins of the famous West Coast Trail, see a collection of
Nuu-chah-nulth artwork, or tinker with a variety of operating motorized machines from
the forestry industry at the Alberni Valley Museum (4255 Wallace St., 250/723-2181,
10am-5pm Tues.-Sat., donation).
MV Frances Barkley
The MV Frances Barkley (250/723-8313 or 800/663-7192, www.ladyrosemarine.com ) ,
a vintage Norwegian ferry, serves the remote communities of Alberni Inlet and Barkley
Sound, but because of the spectacular scenery along the route, the day cruise is also one
of the island's biggest tourist attractions. Depending on the time of year, orcas and gray
whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, river otters, bald eagles, and all sorts of seabirds join you
on your trip through magnificent Barkley Sound. The vessel is also a great way to reach the
remote fishing village of Bamfield and the only way to reach the Broken Group Islands by
scheduled transportation.
Year-round, the MV Frances Barkley departs Alberni Harbour Quay Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8am, reaching Kildonan at 10am and Bamfield at 12:30pm,
then departing Bamfield at 1:30pm and docking back in Port Alberni at 5:30pm. In summer,
sailings are also made to Bamfield on Sunday, with a special stop for kayakers in the Broken
Group Islands. If you want to stay longer in Bamfield, accommodations are available. In
June-September, an extra route is added to the schedule, with the vessel departing Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8am for the Broken Group Islands, arriving at Ucluelet at
1pm for a 90-minute layover before returning to Port Alberni around 7pm. One-way fares
from Port Alberni are Kildonan $26, Bamfield $35, Broken Group Islands (Sechart) $35,
Ucluelet $39. Children under 16 travel for half price. In summer the Frances Barkley does
a roaring business—book as far ahead as possible.
Fishing
To get the rundown on fishing charters, head down to the full-service Harbour Quay Mar-
ina (5104 River Rd., 250/723-8022, dawn-dusk daily in summer, 9am-5pm daily in winter).
The owners, local fishing guides, have put together all kinds of printed information on local
fishing. They know all of the best spots and how to catch the lunkers. Expect to pay $350
for two people, $400 for three for a six-hour guided morning charter or $220 for two people,
$250 for three for a four-hour guided afternoon charter. The marina also rents boats (from
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