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Travel to British Columbia |
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Source: About this
Guidebook
Tips for Travel to Canada |
Much of the lush, green island is covered with dense forests of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock. The climate, stabilized by the Pacific Ocean and warmed by the Japanese current, never really gets too hot or too cold, but be prepared for cloudbursts, especially in winter. Victoria, the provincial capital, lies at the southern tip of the island and is connected to the much larger city of Vancouver by regular ferry services. Its deeply entrenched British traditions make Victoria unique among North American cities. The rest of the island draws scenery buffs, outdoor adventurers, wildlife watchers, and students of northwest Native American art and culture. Backpackers head west from Victoria to Port Renfrew, the starting point of the West Coast Trail. Island-hoppers take Hwy. 17 north up the Saanich Peninsula to Swartz Bay, jump on a ferry, and cruise the scenic Southern Gulf Islands. Other explorers head north up the Island Highway, Rt. 1/19, which follows the Strait of Georgia all the way to the island's northern tip. The old highway has mostly been replaced by the Inland Island Highway, but to take in the best the island has to offer, stick to the old route. Along the way you'll pass sandy beaches, resorts, and old logging, mining, and fishing towns that now base their existence to a large degree on tourism. At Parksville, Hwy. 4 turns off west and leads through "oooh" and "aaah" mountain scenery to the relatively untamed west coast. There you'll find picture-perfect fishing villages, driftwood-littered sand for as far as you can see, and Pacific Rim National Park, the only national park on the island. Also on the west coast is Tofino, a base for sea kayaking and whalewatching on Clayoquot Sound. Farther north up Hwy. 19, at Campbell River, Hwy. 28 cuts west to Gold River, passing through enormous Strathcona Provincial Park.
North of Campbell River lies a surprisingly large area mostly untouched by
civilization—in
fact, today you can still find maps of the island that fizzle out above For comprehensive coverage of Vancouver Island, including the best of everything there is to see and do, see the printed version of Moon Handbooks British Columbia.
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chain of rugged snowcapped mountains,
sprinkled with lakes and rivers and pierced by deep inlets, effectively
divides the island into two distinct sides: dense, rain-drenched forest
and remote surf- and wind-battered shores on the west, and well-populated,
sheltered, beach-fringed lowlands on the east. At the northern and
southern tips lie large regions of low, rolling hills. 
Campbell River. Does life exist farther north? Anything to see or do? Can
birds fly? Travel through seemingly endless impressive mountain scenery
where the road itself, rest areas at all the very best views, and some
unfortunate stretches of clear-cutting are the only human signatures on
the landscape. Avail yourself of excellent camping spots, hiking trails,
lakes perfect for canoeing and fishing, and more than a smattering of
indigenous art and culture along the way. Unique Telegraph Cove, a
boardwalk village known for its fishing and whalewatching activities, and
intriguing Alert Bay on Cormorant Island are definitely worthwhile
side trips on your way north. Finally, you'll come to road's end at
Port Hardy, the largest community north of Campbell River and the
terminus for ferries to Prince Rupert.