2011 Vancouver Island Visitor Magazine

ISLAND VISITOR 2011 | wwwgetawaybccom bull 19

SHARON TIFFIN PHOTO

On Northern Vancouver Island in the small community of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island visitors wanting to

explore the Islandrsquos amazing First Nations culture can visit the world-famous Ursquomista Cultural Centre featuring the Potlach Col-lection an amazing display of masks and ceremonial regalia

Accessible by BC Ferry from Port Mc-Neill Alert Bay features July and August dance performances by Trsquosasała Cul-tural Group a Big House and totem poles throughout the community

Itrsquos just one of the many opportunities to experience the ancient First Nations cultures of Vancouver Island

Rich in tradition Aboriginal history comes alive at the Royal BC Museum on Victoriarsquos Inner Harbour ndash donrsquot miss the totems in Th underbird Park next door ndash and the Big House experience inside the museum

Around the harbour fi nd the Signs of Lekwungen Carved by Songhees artist Butch Dick the Signs mark seven places of cultural signifi cance to the Lekwun-gen known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations and the opportunity to learn more about these remarkable people Pick up a map at the Visitor Centre or visit wwwvictoriaca

Over the Malahat Duncanrsquos Quwrsquoutsunrsquo

Accommodations

Cultural and Conference Centre off ers interpretive tours demonstrations and authentic native cuisine Downtown explore the townrsquos quaint streets taking in more than 80 totems and a good selection of First Nations art galleries Th e Aborig-inal-owned Cherry Point Vineyards is an excellent choice for wine-lovers ndash stop for lunch or the West Coast Salmon Experi-

Discover Vancouver Islandrsquos ancient cultures ence available from May to September

Visit Nanaimorsquos Petroglyph Park to see ancient carvings in stone and at the Nanaimo District Museum take in the interactive Snuneacuteymuxw exhibit learning about textiles basketry trade items fi sh-ing tools and more Children can try on a ldquodiscovery backpackrdquo and explore this cul-ture through exercises and puzzles while the petroglyph workstation allows visitors to create etchings of local petroglyphs

Head west to Tofi no for a coastal adven-ture blending whale marine and wildlife watching tours with First Nations history and culture along with a variety of art gal-leries and studios

In Courtenay check out the Big House and I-Hos Native Gallery and donrsquot miss the First Nations exhibits in the Courtenay and District Museum Th e Museum at Campbell River off ers an extensive First Nations gallery that includes the out-standing theatre presentation Treasures of Siwidi in which masks depict the adven-tures of the Kwakwakarsquowakw ancestor Siwidi who journeyed to the Undersea World and encountered a host of super-natural creatures

Farther north visit Albert Bay and near Port Hardy the Copper Maker Gallery in Fort Rupert Village the heart of Kwagursquol territory on the site of an ancient village and now a working artistsrsquo gallery

S O U T H I S L A N D

F I R S T N AT I O N S

Marionrsquos Bed amp Breakfast1730 Taylor Street

Victoria BC V8R 3E9

250-592-3070

marions-bnbshawca

lsquoA Home Away from Home Welcomersquo awaits you at Marionrsquos

Affordable comfortable clean and cozy accommodation Full

delicious breakfast changes daily Lonely Planet recommended

also under BC Tourism and Hello BCcom

3 Rooms Single $50 Double $85 to $90 Addrsquol person $30

e-mail marions-bnbshawca

Located in the heart of the business and shopping district while just a 5 min short walk to Victoriarsquos Inner The Bedford embodies old world charm and understated elegance Each of our guest rooms features captivating decor and the year round comfort of goose-down duvetsbull Complimentary coff ee amp teabull Complimentary high speed (Wireless) Internet

Reservations Toll free 1-800-665-6500 E-mail frontdeskbedfordregencycom

Bedford Regency HotelVictoriarsquos Downtown Boutique Hotel

Telephone (250) 384-6835

Fax (250) 386-8930

The Lodge at Weirs Beach

Victoria BC

250478-500018884784761

infothelodgeatweirsbeachcom

The Lodge at Weirs Beach is a premier oceanfront destination with breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast

The Lodge is designed for family gatherings corporate retreats amp intimate escapes

GolfVANCOUVER

ISLAND

Glen Meadows Golf amp Country Club1050 McTavish Road

Sidney BC

Tel 250-656-3921

wwwglenmeadowsbcca

18 hole championship golf course everyone welcome suitable for beginners to pros driving range and practice putting green CPGA pro full banquet facilities for up to 200 restaurant bar tennis courts and curling rink

4239 Blenkinsop Rdwwwblenkinsopvalleyadventuregolfcom

Driving range Open year round 250-721-2001

Mini Golf Open Daily March - October250-477-4104

Highland Pacific Golf450 Creed Road

Victoria BC

Tel 250-478-4653

wwwhighlandpacificgolfcom

Victoriarsquos newest 18 hole course combines challenging and exciting golf holes with breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains Strait of Juan de Fuca and downtown Victoria Carved out of the island wilderness just minutes from downtown itrsquos the fi rst stop on the ldquoIsland Golf Trailrdquo Also includes an award-winning practice facility golf lessons and a licensed cafe

Fairwinds Golf Club3730 Fairwinds Drive

Nanoose Bay

Tel 2504687666

Toll Free 18887812777

wwwfairwindsca

Nestled within a master planned residential community Fairwinds

Golf Club has established itself as one of Vancouver Islandrsquos finest

courses Here at Fairwinds spectacular ocean views abundant wildlife

and pristine natural surroundings combine for an unforgettable

golfing experience

Sequoia Springs

700 Petersen Road Campbell River

Ph250-287-4970 sequoiapsringstelusnetwwwsequoiaspringscom

Described on Vancouver Island as the Garden Course Sequoia Springs Golf Course will mesmerize you with its multitude amp variety of plant life including the largest population of Sequoia trees on Vancouver Island With the recent completion of our 1100 yd expansion you will be challenged at every level of your game In addition the golf course owner is currently developing patio homes in a private gated adult oriented subdivision which is strategically placed down the centre of the newest expansion Sequoia Springs Golf Course is definitely a must see amp must play

Cottonwood Golf Course2502455157

1975 Haslam Road

Cassidy BC

wwwcottonwoodgolfcoursecom

cottonwoodgolfshawca

The Cottonwood Golf Course is a fully public facility with 200 active members Our amenities include an 18-hole golf course available to golfers of all ages and abilities driving range and short game practice areaOur full service licensed barrestaurant is available for daily dining or for any private function of up to 160 guests

wwwriptidelagooncom

Open March to October Experience Vancouver Islandrsquos Premier Adventure Golf

Two Exciting Themed 18-Hole Courses

New Bumper Cars 1000 Resort Dr - Parksville BC - Adjacent to Rathtrevor Park

250-248-8290

Storey Creek Golf ClubA Course in Nature

300 McGimpsey Road

Campbell River BC

1-866-923-3674

(250) 923-3673

wwwstoreycreekbcca

bull 18 Holes bull Driving Range

bull Licensed Restaurant

bull 4 5 Star Rating 2008-09

Golf Digest ldquoBest Place to Play in North Americardquo

3rd ldquoBest Public Course in BCrdquo2009 Vancouver Sun

ISLAND VISITOR 2011 | wwwgetawaybccom bull 21

South IslandIsland View Beach ndash This park has a long sandy ocean beach with a boat launch and is an excellent place to spend a sunny afternoon beachcombing bird watching and sunbathing Located on the Saanich Peninsula north of Victoria No camping

Elk and Beaver Lake Park ndash A very popular place in the summer this park off ers beaches wind surfi ng rowing fi shing and a hiking walking and horseback riding trail that circles the lakes Located just north of Victoria off Highway 17 (Pat Bay Highway) Day-use only

Goldstream Provincial Park ndash Minutes from the bustle of Victoria this park features 700-year-old Douglas fi rs a salmon spawning river waterfalls and hiking trails The visitor centre and day-use area is a fi ve-minute walk from the parking lot Just north of Victoria on Highway 1 Campground and picnic sites

Beacon Hill Park ndash The crown jewel of Victoriarsquos many city parks Beacon Hill Park is a beautifully landscaped park with gardens fountains and lakes playing fi elds a childrenrsquos zoo duck ponds and walkways Perfect for picnics and lazy afternoons No camping Located fi ve minutes east of downtown Victoria

East Sooke Park ndash Hiking trails ocean views forest walks and meadows make this another good day park Check the map at the park entrance to choose the trails suitable for your group The longest trail takes about seven hours to complete so be sure to allow enough time before the sun sets Located west of Victoria along Highway 14 There is no camping in the park but there are privately owned campgrounds in the area

French Beach Provincial Park ndash A gorgeous beach a nice campground and plenty of picnic spots make this a good choice for families Located just beyond the Sooke townsite off Highway 14

Camping is one of the best ways to explore Vancouver Island Choose from facilities ranging from full-service RV parks

with amenities such as laundromats and stores to hike-in wilderness sites Many provincial parks on Vancouver Island feature campgrounds and some have sites that can be reserved ahead A reservation fee may apply in addition to the regular overnight fee For information and to make reservations call Discover Camping at 1-800-689-9025 or visit wwwdiscover-campingca

bull Privately owned and operated camp-

grounds are located throughout Vancou-ver Island For other private campground locations ask at local Visitor Centres or call 1-800-HELLO BC

bull Th e Ministry of Forests also main-tains a number of forest service camp-grounds on Vancouver Island A camping pass is required for overnight camping in these sites and the funds are used to maintain the sites for future campers At a limited number of sites an enhanced fee is required Passes are available from government agents and vendors through-out Vancouver Island Enhanced fees are collected at the campgrounds

Parks camping amp the great outdoors

Cathedral Grove near Port Alberni

Juan de Fuca Marine Park ndash Stretching 47 kilometres along the west coast of the island between China Beach and Botanical Beach this park off ers hiking adventures to both experienced and novice hikers The trail is accessible from several points off Highway 14 west of Victoria A good map is required if you plan to hike beyond the beach areas Check with local Visitor Centres for more information Camping is available for hikers along the route drive-in campsites are available at China Beach

Gordon Bay ndash The sandy freshwater beach in this popular family park is a hot spot in the summer Camping fi shing boating hiking historic sites and family programs add to the fun at this park on Cowichan Lake Located west of Duncan just beyond the community of Lake Cowichan

Cowichan River Park ndash A 750-hectare park that straddles one of the best fi shing rivers in the province Cowichan River Park features approximately 20 kilometres of hiking trails swimming and camping Located west of Duncan

Central IslandNewcastle Island Marine Park ndash Accessible by boat or passenger ferry from Nanaimo this 306-hectare island park has a rich natural and cultural history a number of walking trails walk-in campsites beaches historic sites and picnic areas Take the passenger ferry or your own boat from Nanaimorsquos harbour

Rathtrevor Beach ndash A spectacular beach with cool forest trails family programs in the summer and a beautiful campground make this another excellent spot for all ages Parksville

Englishman River Falls ndash Twenty minutes from the ParksvilleQualicum Beach area this park off ers camping hikingwalkingbiking trails freshwater fi shing a summer swimming hole and spectacular photo opportunities

Little Qualicum Falls ndash Just west of

Parksville this lovely park off ers shaded

riverside walking trails playground

camping and picnic facilities Some of the

trails are wheelchair accessible

Horne Lake Caves and Spider Lake ndash A family oriented park that features

educational guided and self-guided tours

into the parkrsquos fascinating caves Therersquos

also a beautiful freshwater lake perfect

for swimming and canoeing and a rock

climbing amphitheatre Great for rainy

days too

Sproat Lake ndash Freshwater recreation

including swimming fi shing and water

skiing is the big draw at this beautiful

park 15 minutes from Port Alberni This

lake is the home base for the Martin

Mars Water Bombers that use the lake

as a runway on their forest-fi re fi ghting

missions Campground and boat launch

Stamp River Provincial Park ndash

Located near Port Alberni this park and

campground is popular with anglers

Hiking trails waterfalls and an impressive

run of spawning salmon every fall make

this a popular choice

North IslandStrathcona Provincial Park ndash This

park is accessible from Campbell River

(along Highway 28 the road to Gold

River) and between Courtenay and

Campbell River (via the Strathcona

Parkway and Forbidden Plateau) Hiking

trails of various length and for hikers of

all ability levels are located throughout

Alpine meadows panoramic mountain

and ocean views massive forests of

lush evergreens and plenty of wildlife

watching opportunities abound in

this huge park Camping permitted in

designated areas

Miracle Beach Provincial Park ndashA good campground a safe sandy beach interpretive centre showers and changerooms and playgrounds make this park very popular among vacationing families Located mid-way between Campbell River and Courtenay

Elk Falls Provincial Park ndash Just two kilometres from downtown Campbell River this riverside park off ers excellent camping picnicking hiking walking freshwater fi shing and swimming holes

Rebecca Spit Marine Park ndash Located on Quadra Island a short BC Ferries trip from Campbell River this lovely park is a narrow strip of land popular with beachcombers kayakers picnickers and walkers

Shoen Lake Provincial Park ndash In the beautiful Nimpkish Valley this gorgeous park with campsites is surrounded by forest The lake off ers great fi shing canoeing swimming and hiking

Marble River Provincial Park ndash Located near Port Alice this park and campground is located near the mouth of Alice Lake and surrounded by forest The hiking and fi shing are great in this 1512-hectare park

Pacifi c Rim National Park Reserve mdash This world-renowned park features Long Beach as well as the Broken Group Islands and the West Coast Trail Walk-in and drive-in campsites are available at Green Point Campground at Long Beach Camping for kayakers is available on some of the Broken Group Islands maps are available and tours are recommended

Cape Scott Park ndash A coastal wilderness park on the rugged tip of Vancouver Island Choose between the San Josef Bay Trail a short 25 km hike in the southeast corner of the park or a challenging 27-km trek to the Cape Scott Lighthouse The trailhead parking lot is a 68-km drive along a gravel road from Port Hardy

PA R K S amp C A M P I N G