Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
only for around two hours each time, so if you want to get off, plan on overnighting until
the next ferry comes by. Peak one-way fares for the entire trip are adult $192, child 5-11
$96, vehicle $386.
The most accessible and interesting stop along the Discovery Coast Passage is Shear-
water, on Denny Island. Shearwater is an old cannery village that has also been a logging
camp, a base for flying boats patrolling the coast during World War II, and a stop for
major shipping lines. The community was sold off to a private enterprise and today operates
as Shearwater Resort & Marina (250/957-2666 or 800/663-2370, www.shearwater.ca ) ,
complete with two lodges ($125-200 s or d) and an RV park ($25). The accommodations
are fairly basic and aimed toward anglers chasing salmon and halibut, but the resort does
have a marina with boat rentals and fishing charters, kayak rentals, a general store, and the
waterfront Fisherman's Bar & Grill. Some guests arrive on the scheduled BC Ferries ser-
vice, others on an inexpensive boat shuttle ($5 pp each way) operated by the resort from
Bella Bella.
QUESNEL
Back inland, Highway 97 north from Williams Lake takes you to Quesnel. The town (pop.
9,500) began during the Barkerville gold rush of the 1860s. Today the town's economy con-
tinues to thrive, with an asphalt plant, ranching, mining, and, especially, forestry industries
(Two Mile Flat, east of downtown, is North America's most concentrated wood-products
manufacturing area).
Sights
At Heritage Corner (Carson Ave. and Front St.), you can see the Old Fraser Bridge, the
remains of the steamer Enterprise, a Cornish waterwheel used by gold miners, and the
original Hudson's Bay Store. To learn all about Alexander Mackenzie or the Gold-Rush
days, head to Quesnel and District Museum (Hwy. 97 at Carson Ave., 250/992-9580,
9am-6pm daily in summer, 9:30am-4pm Wed.-Sat. Sept.-Apr., adult $4, child $2), which
holds almost 30,000 artifacts. The scenic four-kilometer (2.5-mile) Riverfront Walking
Trail loops around the downtown core, with plaques honoring early residents; start at any
point along the river (allow 75 minutes).
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