Victoria and Vancouver Island Day Trips by Car

Victoria , Vancouver Island, BC Gulf Islands Travel , Hospitality, Real Estate, Business and Entertainment Guide

Victoria and Vancouver Island Day Trips

Vancouver Island Day Trips By Car
From Nanaimo
From Victoria: Go to the very beginning of the Trans Canada Hwy which is the southern tip of Douglas Street and take the Marine Scenic Drive, one of the most popular routes, and follow the well marked signs east along Dallas Road and around Oak Bay. Continue north through Cadboro Bay and around Cordova Bay and follow the road up the peninsula to Sidney. Sidney has a reputation as a book town - many used and rare book stores along with over a 100 interesting shops and impressive art galleries. Port Sidney Marina has breathtaking views and some very impressive yachts.Whale watching cruises are available as well as fishing charters. Also worth a visit are the Sidney marine mammal exhibit and Mineral world - the Scratch Patch is sure to be a hit with the kids. Returning from Sidney, explore the Saanich Peninsula. Tour the Ocean Sciences Centre, a federal government facility devoted to studying Canadian coastlines, oceans, lakes and rivers, also stop off at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and view the stars. Malahat Drive on the Trans-Canada Highway No. 1 - takes you north past ancient forests and along mountainsides with several panoramic viewpoints along the way. Stop at Goldstream Park, where salmon spawn in the fall just yards from the road. Find massive trees, majestic waterfalls and a meandering river that meets the sea in Goldstream Provincial Park. The Malahat Chalet is a good stopover for lunch - has spectacular views and a pleasant atmosphere. Take Highway 1 from Victoria and exit at the Thetis Interchange following the signs to Colwood. Stroll the peaceful grounds at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park, a coastal defense site from 1878 to 1956. Visit the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast. If antiques and collectibles are of interest you must not miss Sally's Trading Post, Antiques & Collectibles - 14,000 square ft. and 10 shops - great prices! Just past Colwood in Metchosin, a range of activities are available. Rent a boat from a local marina and fish for salmon, or visit Witty's Lagoon. Matheson Lake Regional Park is excellent for hiking along nature trails or swimming. Take Sooke Road through the countryside past farms and seaside homes to Happy Valley Road to East Sooke Regional Park. Numerous hiking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. Take Highway 1 from Victoria to Highway 14, also known as the West Coast Road which leads to truly spectacular beaches - French Beach with picnic and camping facilities, China Beach with its stunning views and Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew known for its tide pools rich with intertidal life. Plan to make many stops along the way to stroll the nearly deserted beaches, and take in the incredible ocean views. Cozy seaside restaurants and bed & breakfasts along the way. Follow the signs off Highway 1 onto Cowichan Bay Road for a scenic 5 mile loop through farmland, country meadows and the estuary of the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers. Explore the habitats of under-sea creatures - 12 aquaria at the Marine Ecology station, Pier 66. Sightseeing, fishing and dinner cruise charters operating from Pier 66 as well as sailing tours on a luxury yacht, full or half days. Explore the gift shops and galleries with original and unique pottery, sculptures and paintings. Cherry Point Vineyards is open daily and offers tours by appointment. Highway 1 to Duncan, the City of Totems. Start at the Duncan Station Museum and follow the yellow footprints for a self-guided tour of the totem poles, including the world's widest totem pole. Enjoy a look at the world of the Northwest Coast Natives at the Native Heritage Centre -200 Cowichan Way, Duncan 250-746-8119 Watch massive totem poles take shape, enjoy traditional weaving, beading, and spinning. Gallery full of original carvings, jewelry and art. Two minutes north of Duncan, along Highway 1, ride a steam train through the 100-acre park at the fabulous BC Forestry Museum and view the outstanding displays of early logging techniques. Drive to Chemainus and view the 33 gigantic exterior murals depicting the early history of the area. A perfect place for an afternoon visit or few a few days at a seaside bed & breakfast. Many excellent restaurants, cafes and tea houses, art galleries & craft shops. BC Ferries operates a service from here to Thetis and Kuper Islands which offer hiking, marinas, fishing, cruising and a great place for a weekend escape. Sightseeing via Bus with BC Transit in Victoria. Pick up a free BC Transit "Popular Destinations Guide" and day pass for a self-guided bus tour. Attractions, scenic spots, galleries & museums, markets & shopping plus parks & beaches are indicated, as well as the bus number, rates & schedule. Call the BC Transit information line at 382-6161 for more info. Top
From Nanaimo Drive North of Nanaimo, just off Highway 19 to Nanoose Bay, a vacationer's paradise. Follow the art loop and scenic drive to the working studios of the Nanoose Bay Peninsula's many artisans. Take an adventure charter and enjoy the scenery of the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands. For an outstanding ocean view, hike up Nanoose Hill, one of the most popular trails in the area with its Garry oaks and arbutus trees. Explore Parksville & Qualicum Beach which offer 7 provincial parks, over 30 studios and galleries and miles of safe sandy beaches. Stop in at the Qualicum Beach Museum which features fossils from all over British Columbia and the world in its paleontology exhibit. Visit the Old School House Public Gallery exhibiting the works of potters, weavers, and local artists as well as holding frequent workshops and auctions. The Old Power House Museum offers interesting glimpses into local history and Georgia Strait shipwrecks. Just west of Parksville on Highway 4A, the village of Coombs features an Old West country market with goats grazing on its grass roof, also several heritage buildings and crafts shops. Close by and open March through October, Butterfly World is an indoor tropical garden with hundreds of free-flying exotic butterflies as well as a bird aviary, water gardens and a unique gift shop. Drive to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, follow the path along the river to the rushing waterfall. Pack a picnic basket as there is a large well-equipped picnic area with parking.Take Highway 19A to Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park which offers caving adventures for the whole family including guided tours, self-guided tours and special programmes on caving techniques. Drive to Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park and take the path through the dense towering forest to an incredible 800-year old Douglas Fir. Cathedral Grove suffered some major damage during the winter of 1996; follow the signs and check out the repairs Mother Nature makes in a forest. Drive to Port Alberni, the gateway to Vancouver Island's Pacific Rim region. Visit the Alberni Valley Museum, the arts centre and the gift shops and art galleries at the Alberni Harbour Quay Park and Market Place on the harbour front. Board the M.V. Lady Rose or the Frances Barkley and cruise through the Alberni Inlet to Bamfield or Ucluelet. Day and circle tours are available. Highway 4 leads west from Port Alberni through the rugged mountain scenery of the MacKenzie Range to Ucluelet, 8 kilometres south of the Highway 4-Pacific Rim Highway Junction. Here the rocky shoreline of the open Pacific Ocean offers spectacular views. Ucluelet has one of the largest fleets of guided charter vessels on the West Coast. Take a whale watching or nature cruise or fish Barkley Sound for salmon, cod or halibut. Located between the villages of Ucluelet and Tofino, Long Beach is the most accessible component of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and is named for its 20-kilometre (12-mile) stretch of surf-swept sand.Stop at the Wickaninnish Centre, located at the south end of Long Beach, a marine interpretive centre which presents a glimpse in the natural and human history of the Pacific Ocean through exhibits, murals, and films. Top