The Discovery Tour - Something for everyone!
Day #1
Travel north from Victoria - a three hour car journey that is best taken at a relaxed pace so you can enjoy the varied communities along the way. We suggest you stop to explore the murals in Chemainus, and then take the Oceanside Route north from Nanaimo. Meander through the communities of Parksville - Qualicum Beach and Courtenay in the Comox Valley, before entering the north-central Vancouver Island region at Oyster River. Your first night is in an ocean view cabin or a small hotel near the mouth of the Oyster River - if you're travelling by motorhome then you'll find excellent campsites in the area.
Day #2
Continue on to Campbell River, where you can explore the category #1 museum, take in a First Nations dance and a revitalizing walk along the heritage Campbell River. If there's a fisherman in your party then don't miss this opportunity to fish in the Salmon Capital of the World - fishing opportunities exist year round, though July to September are the most productive months. Stay the night at a world-class fishing resort, one of our many hotels or a comfortable bed & breakfast, and of course you can dine the evening away at one of the excellent restaurants you'll find in the community.
Day #3
Explore the Discovery Islands by taking a short ferry ride to Quadra Island. The island provides an excuse to relax and experience an area where time seems to pass at a slower pace. Unique shops, artists' studios and a number of museums provide you with a fascinating array of things to explore - stay the night at one of the first class resorts and bed & breakfasts.
Day #4
Now it's time to leave the more populated areas of the region behind and travel north from Campbell River into the densely forested heart of Vancouver Island. Explore Sayward and its old growth white river forest, then on to Telegraph cove for a Whale Watching trip into the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. From there you can take the scenic drive into Zeballos along the well maintained gravel logging road, and spend the evening exploring this historic mining town where the past comes to life.
Day #5
Backtrack from Zeballos to Campbell River, from where you can take the exhilarating drive along highway 28 through Strathcona Park to Gold River, stopping along the way to enjoy vistas of 7,000 foot (2000 meter) mountain peaks and sparkling blue lakes. The town of Gold River is a one-time logging town that is re-inventing itself as a world class eco-tourism cente. It's only a short boat trip from Gold River to Nootka Island and Friendly Cove, point of first contact between Captain James Cook and the First Nations people of the west coast in 1778.
Day #6
After a night in Gold River it's your chance to enjoy Strathcona Provincial Park from the other direction, driving back through the spectacular mountain scenery to Campbell River. Stay another night in the Salmon Capital of the World if you have time, or take the new inland island highway back to Victoria with a treasure chest of memories and a whole list of places to come visit in more detail next year!