Driving north
along the east coast of Vancouver
Island, visitors will pass through enchanting old growth forests,
quaint towns and villages and experience breathtaking views of the sea
and Gulf Islands. Notable
spots include the Lone Tree Hill and Mill Hill Parks, Goldstream
Provincial Park and Malahat Drive. While exploring the beauty of this
coast, visitors will realize why tourism,
along with fishing and forestry has become such an important part of the
island's economy.
Shawnigan
Lake:
Shawnigan Lake offers visitors a chance for a pleasant side trip to enjoy
good swimming, water sports, canoeing and angling opportunities. Visit
the Memory Island Provincial Park (boat access only) at the south end
of the lake or the West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park on the northwest
side. Continue on to rejoin Highway 1 at Mill Bay.
Cowichan
Bay:
Take a short side trip off Hwy 1 to Cowichan Bay. This sport
fishing and forestry village has a relaxed, weathered charm.
Wooden
Boat Society and Cowichan Maritime Centre:
Located in village centre, the Society offers courses in small boat building
and a number of hands-on exhibits.
Return
to Hwy 1., 54km (33miles) north of Victoria, at Whippletree Junction,
a replica of a turn-of-the-century village with a livery stable, fire
hall and blacksmith.
Cowichan
River:
From the headwaters at Cowichan Lake, the river winds its way through
canyons and forests, past the city of Duncan, through a native reserve
and into Cowichan Bay. Well known for rainbow and steelhead trout and
the salmon runs this river may be easily reached by the Cowichan River
Footpath that leads to the most popular fishing spots.
Duncan:
This "City of Totems" is home to the Cowichan Native Band, the
province's largest. Visitors will find over 40 beautifully carved totems
throughout the city. The city is 62 km (38 miles) north of Victoria.
Native
Heritage Centre:
The Native Heritage Centre features an impressive display of native arts,
books and crafts such as Cowichan hand-knit sweaters, mittens and toques.
Also offered are children's programs with beadwork, weaving and knitting.
The centre is located at 200 Cowichan Way.
Cowichan
and Chemainus Valleys Ecomuseum Society:
Incorporating the two valleys, this unique Ecomuseum has no walls. Residents
are involved in showing their heritage, the value and beauty of this region.
Somenos
Lake:
This area is a nesting and wintering habitat for a number of waterfowl
and upland bird species. View from the pullout or take the short trail
to this nesting project managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada and owned by
Nature Trust of BC.
B.C.
Forest Museum:
With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, visitors will appreciate the history
of B.C.'s forest industry. Displays include a working sawmill and resorted
planer mill, a blacksmith's shop and a narrow-gauge steam locomotive which
runs through the farm logging camp and forest. Also see log sawing, bucking,
shake splitting and paper making.
Chemainus:
Over 32 murals created by local artists illustrating the history of this
area may be viewed around the town. Chemainus is located just off of Hwy
1 on Stuart Channel, 78 km (48 miles) north of Victoria.
Ladysmith:
First established as a coal mining town, the economy later switched to
forestry. In recent years tourism has become increasingly important and
many of the town's heritage buildings have been restored. 1st Avenue offers
a c\variety of gift shops, galleries antiques and collectibles.
Transfer
Beach:
Transfer Beach on Ladysmith Harbour offers good swimming, picnicing and
a pleasant walk to the heritage harbour site.
To
visit Roberts Memorial Provincial Park, Quennell Lake, Homer Provincial
Park and Brother Twelve take the Cedar Road (south access; 93 km or 58
milesnorth of Victoria) to Cedar and Yellow Points.
Brother
Twelve:
In the 1920, a middle-aged English sea captain, named Edward Arthur Wilson
formed an occult brotherhood and called himself Brother Twelve. From the
settlement "Cedar-by-the-Sea", this New-Age prophet took money from this
many followers, to keep the Brotherhood operating. The House of Mystery
is located on a cliff above the boat ramp on Nelson Road. From here Brother
Twelve moved his group to De Courcy Island, accessible by private boat
and established his group on the island's south end, now Pirate's Cove
Provincial Marine Park. It's rumored that he and his campion disappeared
with large sums of money. From here Cedar Road continues and joins Hwy
1.
Back
on Hwy 1, cross Nanaimo River,a major fishing spot. Just a bit beyond
the Nanaimo River Bridge, is the Bungy Zone and Nanaimo Lakes. Those wishing
to visit the Nanaimo Lakes must first check with Fletcher Challengs at
theis security gate as this is a logging road.
Nanaimo:
Located 110km (68 miles) north of Victoria, this is the island's second
largest city. The name 'Namaimo" comes from the Coast Salish Natives
also known as Snenymo. First established as a coal mining town in 1852,
the city is now the island's largest export centre and major ferry terminal
with connections to the mainland.
In recent years waterfront walkways, gardens, lawns and beaches have replaced
the industrial ports.
The
Bastion:
Built in 1853 as part of the Hudson's Bay Company fort protecting miners
brought from the UK to mine coal, the Bastion Museum offers a display
of life in the area from 1850-1880. It is located at the corner of Bastion
and Front Streets.
Heritage
Buildings:
The Nanaimo Courthouse and The Palace Hotel are just a few of the sites
worth visiting. The infocentre at 266 Bryden Street has guidebooks.
Pacific
Biological Station:
This federal station was established in 1908 and is now one of the largest
fishery research labs in Canada. It is located on Hammond Bay Road.
The
Bungy Zone:
This specially designed bridge over the Nanaimo River was the first Bungy
Bridge in North America.
Newcastle
Island Provincial Marine Park:
Located in the Nanaimo Harbour, Newcastle may be accessed by private boat
or a foot-passenger ferry from Swyalena lagoon. It was formerly a coal
mining site and CPR Resort. Visitors will enjoy excellent swimming, watersports,
hiking and fishing.
Petroglyph Provincial Park:
Trails from the south end of Nanaimo lead to native rock carvings representing
birds, humans and animals. Other petroglyphs can be found in the area.
Check with the Nanaimo Centennial Museum at 100 Cameron Street.
Gabriola
Island:
With a pleasant climate year-round, Gabriola Island is a short ferry ride
from Nanaimo. Enjoy the abundant shellfish, impressive rock formations
and beaches.
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Victoria
to Nanaimo (Trans Canada Hwy 1)
