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Canada's West Coast: Beautiful British Columbia

10 things to do in Victoria, British Columbia on a budget

9/1/2019

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Victoria is British Columbia's beautiful capital city. Located on the picturesque Vancouver Island it can be accessed easily via ferry from Vancouver. The city is one of Canada's tourism hotspots (attracting millions of visitors every year) and serves as a perfect springboard to explore the rest of Vancouver Island, much like our road-trip detailed here.
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The houses at Fisherman's Wharf are in fact peoples houses, despite looking like a floating toy-town.
1. Walk along the floating streets of Fisherman's Wharf

Perhaps nowhere typifies the vibe of Victoria more than Fisherman's Wharf, a collection of brightly coloured houseboats on the southern part of Victoria's harbour. Despite what some tourists think, Fisherman's Wharf is an operational community and all of the houseboats are lived in so be sure not to be too loud or intrusive while you wander the s̶t̶r̶e̶e̶t̶s̶ docks.

Our favourite part of Fisherman's Wharf was watching the famous marine life in, around and between the houseboats. Seals occasionally pop their heads out of the water, take a quick look around a disappear again. Otters scramble around the docks preying on fish using the marina community as cover. If you are lucky you might even spot a few hummingbirds, herons and an array of waterfowl during your visit.
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2. Have a picnic at British Columbia's parliament buildings

Victoria is the Capital of British Columbia and as such is home to a grande parliament building. Situated only a few hundred meters up the harbour from Fisherman's Wharf the Parliament grounds offer a great chance to enjoy a picnic while looking over at the bustling harbour. Sit for long enough and you'll be able to watch a huge seaplane land on the water!

It's also possible to take a tour of the inside of the building, which are totally free! The parliament building is open to the public Monday to friday 8:30am-4:30pm and 7 days a week during summer time. If a guided tour isn't your thing, you can instead explore the buildings on your own. Check here to book a tour and for more information.
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Victoria's 122 year old baroque parliament building is a must see on your trip to B.C's capital!
3. Explore downtown by foot and eat great food! 

Its safe to say Victoria is one of Canada's 'quirky' cities, and it's not only Fisherman's Wharf that highlights this. Taking a walk around the downtown area and you'll come across countless hipster cafes, craft breweries, street food vendors, galleries, libraries, thrift stores.... you get the picture.

While we stopped at several places in Victoria's heart during our time there, a particular favourite was 'The Drake', an exposed brick bar/pub/restaurant which despite boasting a bespoke menu and great selection of drink was very budget friendly. Be sure to ask for samplers before you choose your craft beer!

If you are willing to spend a little more, check out the 'Bard and Banker', a Scottish themed pub complete with a lavish golden laced interior, high ceilings and free standing columns (bottom left and center).

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The Bard and Banker on Government Street.
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You'll be transformed to splendor of a 1920's speakeasy in the Bard.
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Entrance to Victoria's Chinatown.
4. Wander through the alleys of Canada's oldest Chinatown 
When you consider the location of the city and its history of making use of Chinese labour, it's no surprise that Victoria is home to the oldest Chinatown in the country. A little more surprising however might be that this area is home to the narrowest street in all of North-America, the quirky 'Fan Tan Alley'. You would be forgiven for thinking you had somehow transported to medieval Canton as you lose yourself amongst the lucky red Chinese lanterns, Cantonese store fronts and all manner of oriental wares on offer.

​Fan Tan alley was historically a hive of illegal activity including brothels, opium dens and gambling (for which the name Fan Tan comes from). Although we didn't get a chance to on our trip, we have heard fantastic things about the guided tours of the area, which go into detail about the very interesting history of Chinatown and the people who lived and continue to live there.
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Fan Tan Alley at dusk.
5. Kayak in Victoria harbour
If you are lucky enough to visit Victoria in times of good weather, be sure to rent some sea kayaks (we recommend going to Ocean River Sports) and head out into the calm and relaxing harbour for an afternoon of exploring Victoria by water. Our trip began in the best possible way as when we were pushing our kayaks into the water, a few sea otters decided to come over and check us out. Their curiosity quickly dissipated however when they realised we didn't have anything that could be eaten and they disappeared between the docked boats. This seemed like it would be the highlight of the kayaking, however this notion was quickly quashed when seals also approached us several times on our tour of the harbour.

What surprised me most about kayaking around the habour was how peaceful the water was, of course it helped that we visited on a calm day, but there was little to no resistance as we paddled under the bridges into the gorgeous upper harbour.

We would both thoroughly recommend making the kayaking trip on a nice day as it gives a unique perspective of the cities parliament buildings as well as of the historic tall ships often docked there. With any luck, you will be able to witness a sea-plane landing in the harbour, which is a pretty surreal experience while bobbing up and down on the water at a safe distance.
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Kayaking in Victoria's inner harbour.
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You might feel a little small next to the ships!
6. Relax and smell the roses in Beacon Hill Park
Beacon Hill Park in the summer is a must see when you visit Victoria. Beautifully maintained, the park is a series of grass verges intersected by miniature canals and countless points of interest, including a petting zoo (more on that below!), tennis courts, a putting green and a few children's playgrounds. Much of our time spent in the park consisted of relaxing on the park benches with a sandwich, watching squirrels and ducks go about their business.

Beacons Hill Park serves as a perfect natural break between adventures in the city itself. Be sure to pack a lunch with you and give yourself an hour or two to enjoy the park best.
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Landscape of Beacon Hill Park. © User: Jesse Hickman / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-2.5
7. Make new friends with the kids at the Beacon Hill Children's Farm
Originally the reason we visited Beacon Hill Park in the first place, the Petting Zoo is a perfect stop off for anyone who appreciates time spent with animals. With a suggested donation entry fee of $4 this is a true 'budget experience'! The kids (baby goats!) at the petting zoo are very friendly and approachable and greeted us warmly, of course with the expectation of something to much on. If you are already visiting Beacon Hill Park, or you have young children to entertain, make sure to hit up the 'Beacon Hill Children's Farm'.
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Nick hanging out with the neighbourhood kids.
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The petting zoo is a fun place to stop while you enjoy the natural beauty of Beacon Hill Park, especially if you are visiting with children.
8. Rent a bike and take the Marine Scenic Route
Renting E-Bikes in Victoria was without a doubt the highlight of our trip to the provincial Capital. Having never been on an E-Bike before, both of us were a little apprehensive at first, especially upon realising how much heavier they were than a regular bicycle. Our friend (and guide) was fortunately at hand to ease our concerns and assure us it's easier and more fun than riding a normal bike, and how right she was! After going through the controls of the e-bikes with a representative at Ocean River Sports, we got to grips with our new machines by tentatively making a few laps of the parking lot. 

The bikes we were going to be touring around the city on were 'Rayvolt Cruzers' and they certainly looked the part. As you can see below much of the frame of the bike, as well as the battery pack, had been covered with a sleek leather design. Another thing you notice immediately is that the stature of the bike resembles that of a Chopper motorcycle.

After getting familiar with the way the bikes felt, we decided to set off on our tour of the city...
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Look out for the seaside route signs on the road. Seen here in yellow.
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Seeing the city by bike was so much fun!
9. Make sure to stop at Clover Point and Trafalgar Park

The first two things we noticed about our E-bike adventure of Victoria were 1) how extremely powerful the bikes were and 2) how bike friendly Victoria is. Originally I had assumed that an E-bike was only really going to help me peddle, with most of the work still being done by me. This was not true. The Rayvolt's were powerful and removed the need to peddle whatsoever. It was a pleasant surprise to be moving as fast and faster than cars on the roads around the city center without having to use the peddles at all. This power, might have been a cause for concern in many canadian cities, which are frankly not bike friendly whatsoever, however in Victoria it didn't feel like an issue whatsoever. As I said before, the city is easily and safely traversed on two wheels.

Using the bike lanes we quickly made our way through the downtown of Victoria and on the picturesque Marine Scenic Route. The route takes you from Beacon Hill Park all the way round the rugged southern and eastern coastline of the city. There are so many gorgeous places to stop off on the route, Clover Point (below), Trafalgar Park (also below) and Uplands Park being the most noteworthy.

It's worth mentioning that many of the paths along the route are not to be used by bikes, so the journey was made on the road, stopping off at points along the way. The road wasn't busy and it wasn't an issue at all when cars wanted to pass us, so don't feel apprehensive about this if you aren't a frequent road cyclist.
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Can you see the Olympic mountains from our view at Clover Point?
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Trafalgar Park made us jump for joy!
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Salty sea breeze and beautiful ocean views are all within the city.
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Relax in the rainforest that is Goldstream Provincial Park, located only 30 minutes from Victoria.
10. Hike in Goldstream Provincial Park

Goldstream Provincial Park is located only 30 minutes drive outside of Victoria. Although the park itself is vast and has many trails therein, our favorite is the Goldstream falls trail which is located at the parks southern tip, beginning at the campground. The trail is utterly breathtaking in summer, with the sun peeking through the thick old growth canopy. With only gentle inclines, the trail is the perfect opportunity to take a relaxing walk amongst the trees.

Goldstream Provincial Park provides the quintessential Vancouver Island hiking experience without having to venture too far from Victoria. Be sure to park up at the southern park entrance and get a map from the park staff.

We have also visited this park in the winter time, this time opting to go deeper and see Niagara Falls (original name huh?). Although the island tends to see less snow than much of the rest of Canada, wear appropriate footwear nonetheless as the Niagara Falls trail has steeper inclines and can be slippery. At the end of the Niagara trail you will find a beautiful trestle bridge. Although its illegal to cross it, many people were doing so when we visited.


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Goldstream Falls is the perfect place to take a dip as a reward for making it to the end of the trail.
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Look at this big guy!
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When we visited Victoria in February there was no snow in the city but the mountains in Goldstream had a light dusting.
Budget Tips for Visiting Victoria
  • Take advantage of the $5 day pass on the bus, Victoria is best traveled on the transit system and you will likely go above $5 in singles very quickly.
  • Make use of your bus pass and head a little further away from the downtown when looking for a restaurant to eat at. Downtown prices are much less reasonable!
  • As always, Airbnb was our best friend for our Victoria trip! Be sure to book as far in advance as possible for the best availability and always stay with a host with lots of positive reviews. 
  • We found the ferry to be by far the single most expensive part of our trip, the longer you stay on the Island, the better value for money your ticket will become.
  • Unless you are coming from Vancouver itself, it's likely you will be traveling to the city before heading to Victoria. Make the most of your time in BC's lower mainland by spending a few days in Vancouver too! Check out our guide to Van City here.
10 things to do in Victoria, British Columbia on a budget
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Driving the Sea to Sky Highway in one day: Our recommended stops

7/29/2019

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The Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) is often touted as being 'the most beautiful drive in Canada'. Having been on many breathtaking drives the length and breadth of the country, we just had to see if the Sea to Sky lived up to its reputation. Simply put, it did. It really, really did. Although, we only had time to drive this highway in one day, we've included 'pro tips' for those want to experience the drive at a slower pace.

Brandywine Falls on the Sea to Sky Highway, BC
Brandywine falls. Just one of the beautiful stops along the Sea to Sky Highway.
Tips for driving the Sea to Sky Highway:

- No warnings or distances given for viewpoints.
- Busy in summer, difficult to drive in winter.
- Watch for wildlife, avoiding driving at night.
- Fill up on gas, there are not many towns.
- Pack a picnic and eat in the mountains.
- Free camping along the road, first come first serve.
Map of Sea to Sky Highway, Highway 99 in British Columbia
Highway 99 or the Sea to Sky Highway in British Columbia, Canada.
Ferry at Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Where mountains meet the ocean. Arriving into Horseshoe bay, the beginning of the drive.
Caitlin and I had just enjoyed a stunning roadtrip around Vancouver Island and decided to take the more scenic route back to Kamloops. The beauty of the Sea to Sky Highway began for us before we even disembarked the ferry (left). We left on the earliest ferry possible, from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, in order to miss most of the tourist traffic. Highway 99 begins at Canada-US Border and ends near Cache Creek, BC, however, we began driving on it at near the ferry terminal in North Vancouver. 
View of ocean on Highway 99 near Vancouver
We began our drive in North Vancouver and the views were stunning.
View of mountains on Sea to Sky Highway in North Vancouver
Beautiful mountains line Highway 99 from start to finish.
The first stretch of the Sea to Sky Highway is nothing short of majestic and it's clear to see how to highway gets it's name. Driving north, you are lashed by the powerful, restless Pacific Ocean to your left and mountains so tall their peaks disappear into the sky to your right. It's easy to talk for hours about the visual beauty of the area, the blending of blue water, green trees and cold grey rock. Just be sure, however, to roll down your windows and enjoy the smell of the sea air from one side and fresh forest musk to the other.
Shannon Falls
Our first stop on the highway was Shannon Falls. Located about half an hour drive from port at Horseshoe Bay, Shannon Falls is a horsetail waterfall and one of the tallest in British Columbia. The picture to the right was taken at a viewpoint only a 10 minute walk from the car park. There is a hike to which you can get much closer to the falls, however as we wanted to spend more time stopping further on in the drive, we decided to only stop here a short while before heading further north.

Pro tip: Even though we arrived as early as 9am, Shannon Falls was fairly busy and a stop off for tour buses. Make use of the washrooms here if you don't plan on stopping at neighbouring Squamish.
Shannon Falls Sea to Sky Highway
Shannon Falls, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, BC.
Squamish
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Only 10 minutes further down the Sea to Sky and you will come across the little town of Squamish. Squamish itself is flanked on all sides by unbridled natural beauty. Towering mountains to its north, east and west and the pristine waters of the Howe Sound to its south. There are few better places in British Columbia to spend a few days if you are an outdoor adventurer, be it rock climbing, hiking, kayaking or mountain biking.

Pro tip:  Staying in Squamish and taking one of the many shuttles that run to Whistler can save you a fortune on your accomodation as well as food and drinks. If you don't plan on stopping in Whistler on your Sea to Sky drive, make sure to pick up a drink and snacks in Squamish!
Chief in Squamish, Sea to Sky Highway
The Stawamus Chief mountain in Squamish, British Columbia. © User: Michael Whyte / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Tantalus Lookout
Without a doubt, one of the single most beautiful views from a highway in the world. The Tantalus lookout refers specifically to a stop 15-20 minutes further down the Sea to Sky from Squamish, however there are several places along the route to  take in the beautiful snow capped peaks. The Tantalus range are full of beautiful contradictions. They feel although they are right in your face, dwarfing you, despite being so far in the distance. Their cold snow adorned summits glistening away in the 30 degree summer sun. Nothing about the mountains seems to make sense, yet at the same time they make perfect sense in all their perfection.

Pro tip: Make sure not to pass this up on your Sea to Sky itinerary. When approaching from the Squamish side, be sure to slow down as the actual entrance to the lookout is some distance before what google maps tells you and there isn't a place to turn around for a long time!
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Tantalus range is extremely beautiful and it's definitely worth stopping at the highway viewpoint.
Brandywine Falls
Once you have composed yourself after gawping at the Tantalus mountain range, head back on the Sea to Sky for another 20 minutes and you will come across Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. If like us, by this point you were itching to stretch your legs, this is the perfect place to do so, while enjoying a typical British Columbian waterfall in the process.

The hike at Brandywine is only about 20 minutes (roundtrip) and is flat the entire way. For this reason, its a very popular stop on the Sea to Sky. At several points on the walk there are places to take photos of Brandywine Falls which itself is nestled amongst beautiful evergreen trees. Continue to the end of the short hike to enjoy spectacular views for miles in every direction (below).

Pro tip: For those looking for a longer, more challenging hike, there is a 1.5 -2 hour route that takes you down to the waterfall itself. Just be sure to wear appropriate footwear!
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia
Brandywine Falls as seen from the adjacent hike. This view alone more than justifies the 20 minute walk.
Viewpoint of valley, Brandywine Falls
The view a little further down from the waterfall, snow tipped mountains, lush green forest and clear blue water. A typical view on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Bears in Whistler!
A quarter of an hour on from Brandywine and you will find yourself at North America's largest ski resort, Whistler. While it is known for its winter sports, Whistler has plenty to offer in the summertime too! Although we decided not to stop in Whistler thanks to it's reputation for expense, we stopped several times while we passed though thanks to bear encounters. On each occasion the juvenile black bears were tentatively crossing the highway. Fortunately there were no cars around us, so we pulled over (roughly 100m away) and used our telephoto lens to take photos of them.

No matter how long I long I live in Canada, being English, seeing a bear is perhaps the most exhilarating wildlife encounter! This was around midday, I can't begin to imagine how many sightings we might have had closer to dusk/dawn.

Pro tip: The next stop after Whistler is Lillooet (at least 2 hours away) so if you don't like using outhouses, use the washroom in Whistler and maybe pick up a snack/drink for the road. If you have time, spend a few hours hiking around the Whistler Train wreck about half way between Brandywine and Whistler.
Bear on road in Whistler
Be sure to give wildlife a wide berth and enjoy them from a distance.
Highway 99 views in British Columbia
After Whistler, you will pass a few small towns, such as Pemberton, and there are a number of free first-come-first-serve campsites along the highway.
Sea to Sky Highway view
Views like this are a dime a dozen on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Onwards to Lillooet
Although the drive from Horseshoe bay to Whistler was spectacular, from Whistler to Lillooet was simply on another level. You are alone on the open road and your windscreen becomes a Claude Monet masterpiece, changing every few seconds to encapsulate a new mountain scene. You turn each corner, stunned by the sheer natural beauty you find around it. Promising yourself you will stop at the next chance to take it in more personally, only for something even better to come before you have the chance.

When you do stop on the pullout, all you can do is stand and admire. The brilliance of the landscape enough to make you forget you own a camera. Oddly, it's not the view you can see or the scents you can smell that takes you at first, its the sounds you can't hear. No engines buzzing, no people chattering. After easily 10 minutes have passed before the silence is broken by a simple 'Shall we?' to your driving partner, fueled mostly by the excitement of scene you will find a mile or maybe two further down the highway.
Sea to Sky Highway between Pemberton and Lillooet
After passing Whistler, the road really opens up and you can enjoy the drive almost totally on your own.
Lillooet and the drive to Kamloops
After driving carefully through a winding mountain pass you will find yourself at the little town of Lillooet. Consisting really of only one main street, we decided to stop here for a late lunch/early dinner. Lillooet has a distinct character about it, with many of the buildings being styled from 'the old west'. You may well have noticed by this point that the lush green forests have disappeared for the most part, with more sparse shrubbery and a little more yellow and brown, this is because you have entered whats known as a 'rain shadow'.

We ate at a homely little greek restaurant called Dina's Place, which served as a great chance for us to process the amazing and varied scenery from the previous several hours.

Pro tip: As well as a great place to get food, Lillooet is a perfect opportunity to get some gas.
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The view as we drive into Lillooet, BC.
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A highway viewpoint just before the town of Lillooet, BC.
Kamloops, British Columbia near Sea to Sky
Kamloops is the next mid-size city after completing the Sea to Sky Highway from West to East.
Honourable mentions

As we wanted to make the trip back to Kamloops in one day, we decided it wouldn't be possible to stop off at every scenic location, however below is a list of places we have heard great things about and will be sure to see next time.

  • Nairn Falls is a powerful waterfall located not too far outside of Whistler. Renowned thanks to the falls being framed by solid rock.
  • Joffery lakes are a half hour drive past Nairn Falls. Well known for their perfect sky blue complexion and picturesque setting. We had every intention of stopping here but were put off by the sheer number of cars and RVs parked at the trailhead.
  • Visit The Chief in Squamish. The Chief is the huge rock protrusion next to Shannon Falls that seems to almost stand guard over the town of Squamish. Although 'he' can be seen from the highway, next time we will hike closer to do him true justice.
Driving the Sea to Sky Highway in one day
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Want to learn about the area? Check out our guide to a weekend in Vancouver or things to do in Kamloops during the winter. 
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Vancouver Island Road Trip: Tofino and Ucluelet on a Budget (Part 2)

7/18/2019

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In this post, the second of our two part guide to a budget road trip on Vancouver island, we cover the Tofino and Ucluelet leg of our journey. Click here for the first part, detailing Victoria and things to do on the drive to Tofino.
DAY 2 continued - Wild Pacific Trail

After arriving in Ucluelet we headed straight to the Wild Pacific Trail, which is considered the single best thing to do in town. The trail is very well maintained and has many beautiful places to sit down and watch the harsh yet relaxing pacific waves crash into the shore. The walk was a perfect way to finish off the day. There are a few signs along the trail, which is under the canopy for the most part, which detail some of the history of the area. The most notable story we learned about was a British steel ship which hit the rocks only meters from shore, in which all aboard perished. Watching the force of the restless ocean, its no wonder the casualties were so high, little has changed in that respect over the centuries.
Lighthouse on Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, British Columbia.
Lighthouse on the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, British Columbia.
View of Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, BC
There's instagrammable views around every corner.
Coast in Ucluelet, British Columbia
The rocky coves and beaches were unbelievably beautiful.
Ucluelet coast, British Columbia
If you have time, explore the intertidal zone for brightly coloured starfish.
Town of Ucluelet

Finally we stopped into the town of Ucluelet to check into our hotel, which turned out to be more like a motel, which for the price was just fine. Ucluelet is vastly cheaper to stay in than the more hipster central Tofino. Although our main activity of the trip was in Tofino, it made more financial sense to stay and eat in Ucluelet and then drive to Tofino than it did to stay there. We found that many of the eateries in the town close fairly early, which at the time seemed disappointing, but we ended up eating at the pub, Eagle's Nest, just a hundred feet from our accommodation which overlooked the harbour. Eating locally caught fish and chips, watching eagles soaring and seals frolicking in the water was a great way to rest after an amazing day of road-tripping. The place we stayed at was the Island West resort, expect a 'rustic' experience, but as only a place to rest your head for a night or two between adventures, it was just fine.
Blue and white old church in Ucluelet
A beautifully painted old church on Peninsula Road in Ucluelet
DAY 3 - Bears and beaches at Pacific Rim National Reserve

Much like the first and second days on the island, we arose very early on day three and made our way to the beautiful little town of Tofino. En route to the town, we noticed a black bear and her cub rummaging through the foliage near the road. As such we stopped some distance away and took some pictures with our telephoto lens. Canada Parks has a strict set of guidelines about how close you are allowed to be with wildlife such as bears, cougars, wolves, moose and so on. Perhaps the most important of these being that you are not to leave your vehicle as this can startle animals and cause distress. Instead invest in a budget lens so you can get great pictures without distracting them. 

Thanks to the early hour (6am) we were the only ones on the road and were able to stop for a while and watch the bears going about their morning routine. We couldn't stop for long however as we had booked with Ocean Outfitters for an adventure to hot springs cove. This was our only "splurge" on the trip and I can't tell you enough how amazing this excursion was! If you decide to take a boat to the hot springs, the single most important piece of advice would be to get the 7am boat. Being the first to the cove made it so magical, this coupled with the small size of the hot springs made it essential. We had roughly an hour on our own (with the 5 others from our boat) and I can't imagine how disappointing it would have been to arrive and see people already in the springs. The hot springs tour is available year round and you can enjoy extra savings by going in the off season (winter). 
Black bear sitting on a log in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
This mother black bear sat on a log and watched her cub in Pacific Rim NP Reserve. Be sure to stay atleast 100m away from bears for your safety and theirs.
As we arrived at Ocean Outfitters, I was overjoyed to find they offered tea and coffee (essential for a 6am start). Once the rest of our group had arrived, we were given a quick safety demonstration and within minutes of me finishing my tea we were on the boat. The boat journey not only served as a means to get to the gorgeous hot springs, but they also allocated time on the way to watch for whales and the legendary sea wolves that live on the islands en route. An added bonus of booking with Ocean Outfitters as opposed to another operator in Tofino is that they carbon offset their trips, and they are the same price as competitors, perfect!
Man steeping tea at Ocean Outfitters in Tofino, British Columbia
Ocean Outfitters have a cafe right in the shop! Essential for a tired Nick in the morning.
Covered tourist boat owned by Ocean Outfitters in Tofino, British Columbia
We choose one of their covered boats as you are able to walk around the ship during the journey. We also wanted to get the earliest boat and beat the crowds!
Whales, Sea lions and Otters, oh my!

The journey north on the boat was majestic, the glistening perfect blue of the water contrasting the brilliant green forest on the shore, with giant mountains in the distance. Even though at times the waves were a little high, I sat in the back the entire journey (1.5 hours). After a short time, the lulling of the motor gave way and we stopped into silence, into an area known to be frequented by grey whales. All 7 of us on the boat eagerly looking in every direction so that we might see a whale breach. Suddenly after looking in the same area for a while, we noticed the hump of a grey whale protruding from the water and the instantly recognizable breaching noise as they shoot air from their blowhole. It quickly became apparent that by the time I had focused the camera on the area of the whale, they had hidden beneath the waves again, so unfortunately we didn't manage to get many pictures of the whales. The experience, almost a game of cat and mouse, was fantastic and made all the better knowing we maintained a distance again that didn't interfere on them. We were able to see individual seals and otters on the journey too! Orcas and humpbacks are also frequent visitors to the bays and inlets along the west coast of the island, something I was a little apprehensive to see considering I was on my own, exposed in the back of the boat.
Nick on open back deck of a small tourist boat from Ocean Outfitters in Tofino, British Columbia
Nick on the back deck looking out for sea wolves, whales and otters.
Grey whale breaching near Tofino, British Columbia
Can you see the grey whale?
The foggy morning shoreline near Tofino, British Columbia
The foggy morning shoreline near Tofino, BC.
A while passed again as we made our way north to the hot springs before again the drumming of the engine became quiet and we approached slowly a huge exposed rock in the middle of the water. Not long after the boat stopped, we were hit with an extreme stench, something like rotting fish but different. Then I noticed the rock was home to dozens of sea lions. While the telephoto lens wasn't essential, as the sea lions could be seen clearly without, using it as binoculars really came in handy. We could make out the dominant male, the bull, proudly protecting his herd of fragrant females. Watching the sea lions, in such sheer number was brilliant and something I certainly hadn't expected from our journey.

We visited in June, however if you were to visit a month or two earlier, your chances of seeing the iconic humpbacks shooting up from the water in all their glory would be much higher. Although it would be worth mentioning, you would likely sacrifice the hot temperatures to some degree.
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The Hot Springs Tour also acts as a wildlife viewing and whale watching expedition! Be warned: Sea lions STINK!
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We saw an adorable otter raft on our return journey.
Arrival at Hot Springs Cove 
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After reaching the Maquinna Marine Provincial Park (home to the hot springs) I immediately made a break for the washrooms (perhaps don't order a large tea/coffee at back in Tofino?) and we then made our way down the gorgeous boardwalk trail to the hot springs. Roughly a half an hour walk, the boardwalk trail runs through the untouched rainforest offering terrific views through the canopy to the waterfront. Many of the boards on the boardwalk have been decorated and professionally engraved, which added a really nice touch, and another thing to take in as you walk deeper into the forest. There is a raised viewing platform about half way down the trail, do not stop here on your way to the hot springs however, as you can stop on the way back, when the next boats party has arrived, you want to spend as much time in the springs on your own as possible!

As we were so excited to arrive to the hot springs, we managed to make the half an hour walk in about 20 minutes. The springs are 100%  natural and we loved how BC Parks has kept the changes to the area very minimal. As a result, there are not many amenities.
Rainforest walk to Hot Springs Cove, British Columbia
It's tempting to stop and smell the rainforest, but we recommend heading straight for the springs to beat the crowds!
At the end of the boardwalk trail, you will notice a washroom to your left, changing rooms and a viewing deck ahead and the hot springs themselves down and to the right. There are only two changing rooms, so unless you want to change in the washrooms, being some of the first of your group to arrive prevents waiting in line to change, and subsequently eating away at your time in the springs.

To help you prepare for your trip to the hot springs, below is a list of things you will need:
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Bag for wet clothing and towels afterwards
  • Weather appropriate clothing (The Pacific coast often experiences rapidly changing weather, make sure you can be warm if need be)
  • Reusable water bottle (You will be thirsty after spending time in the sauna like hot springs)
  • Packed lunch (Grocery store in Ucluelet was our choice)
  • Camera (Of course)
  • Good footwear (the boardwalk can be a little slippery with the morning dew)
  • Watershoes (algae covering the rocks in the springs can be very slippery, we didn't have watershoes but were extremely careful)

After getting changed, leave your bags and shoes under the bench in the changing area and head down to the springs!
Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island
View of the changing room and cove from the boat.
Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island
The cove is beautiful and the hot springs are a fantastic bonus!
Giant trees in rainforest to Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island
We were able to enjoy the rainforest on our hike back to the boat.
The hot springs themselves are like nothing I have ever seen before in my entire life. There are essentially three sections to the springs, the first being a smallish pool being fed by a mini waterfall. The first pool is by far the hottest. No matter how many times I read this or was told by our guide, I still wasn't prepared for just how hot the first pool was and it took some time for my body to adjust to the heat, even as someone who enjoys a scolding hot bath or shower! The second pool is the easiest to spend time in, being the largest and slightly cooler than the first. The third pool of the hot springs was the smallest and the coolest of all. We made the mistake of leaving the hot springs at the end of the third pool to then walk around to the first again, don't bother doing this, as its only slippery jagged rocks without anything to see. If you need to go back to the changing rooms or a different pool, go back the way you came.
Woman swimming in hot springs near Tofino, British Columbia
Caitlin in the first and hottest pool, complete with a very warm waterfall!
Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island
View of the second pool and steaming waterfall in the distance. This one can fit about 4 people and was the favourite amongst our group.
Man in hot springs near Tofino, British Columbia
Nick in the coolest pool, next to the ocean! It is only large enough for one person
As there was two of us, I decided to take my phone down to the pools so we could take pictures of one another. I could see this being a little more tricky with one person as you need both hands at times to climb around the pools, but by that time you may likely be close enough to your party on the boat to ask them to take a picture or two with your phone.

Laying back in the hot springs, gazing over to the rainforest canopy and listening to the waves crashing to the rocks just meters away was more relaxing than any spa. You will have about an hour on your own until the next boat of people arrive, which honestly is about the most comfortable amount of time you can spend in the hot waters. After getting changed and heading slowly back down the boardwalk, we stopped off at the raised viewing platform for a  while to eat our lunch.
Vancouver Island coast line
Vancouver Island is beautiful from every angle! We were spoiled with these views on our boat ride back to Tofino.
Although we weren't scheduled to leave the island for another 5 or 10 minutes, as our entire party was at the boat and our guide had finished swimming and fishing in the harbour, we left a little early and started the hour and a half boat ride back. Again we stopped several times heading towards Tofino, first so our guide could teach us a little about the negative effects of the salmon farms located in the area and then later again as we came across a raft of sea otters (see photo earlier in post). Seeing the families of otters lovingly holding each others hands as they floated together in the ocean was a perfect way to finish our ocean excursion!
View of Tofino from the water
We arrived back to Tofino in the early afternoon.
Walking around Tofino is a beautiful and budget friendly way to spend an afternoon. The town itself is gorgeous with a mix of west coast charm and small fishing town. There are a number of parks and viewpoints to see, all within walking distance of each other. We purchased food from the grocery store in Ucluelet and had a relaxing picnic. 
Totem pole in Tofino, British Columbia
A traditional totem pole and view point in Tofino.
Man on Long Beach near Tofino, British Columbia
Long beach is a must-see when visiting Ucluelet and Tofino.
Leaving Tofino as soon as we arrived back on Terra Firma, we made a quick stop off at Long Beach just outside of Tofino. As the name suggests, the beach goes on for as far as the eye can see in both directions. The part that impressed me most however was how the beach had a mysterious haze just above the waterfront which seemed to get further away as you approached it. It's a well known surfers paradise and we spent maybe half an hour wandering along the shore watching them before continuing our journey onward, this time to Nanaimo. The Rainforest Walk in Pacific Rim was highly recommended to us but unfortunately we did not have time to do the hike! Something to consider if you plan to visit Tofino. 

Please note: to stop in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve we needed to have a Parks Canada pass. If you are travelling to more than one Canadian NP or for an extended period of time within the park (more than a week), the cheapest pass is the Discovery Pass. This can be used for 12 months of unlimited entry into some of Canada's most famous parks, such as Banff and Yoho. We purchased ours right before the new year (December 2018) and got an extra 20% off. 

As mentioned before, there are frequent road closures between Port Alberni and Tofino, as such we spent half an hour at Kennedy Lake so we only had to wait in construction traffic for maybe 20 minutes (not that we're complaining!). Make sure you check closure times before making travel plans. The itself was gorgeous (see photo below) and we went for a quick swim in the summer heat while others relaxed on the beach.
Long beach near Tofino, British Columbia
Long beach is a perfect way to spend an afternoon relaxing and watching the surfers.
kennedy lake, vancouver island
Kennedy Lake is a beautiful stop off on the highway from Tofino/Ucluelet to the rest of the island.
By the time we arrived into Nanaimo, it was getting a little later in the afternoon and as such decided to relax at the airbnb and only venture out for dinner. The airbnb's in Nanaimo are some of the cheapest on the entire island and we would strongly recommend you take advantage of this in planning your trip. We stayed in a beautiful house in a quiet neighbourhood with a really accommodating Chinese couple. Which was HALF the price of the 'rustic' motel back in Ucluelet, which is a little horrifying. The couple recommended a local sushi restaurant Nori, which just so happens to be widely considered the best sushi in the whole of Canada. We arrived without a reservation and managed luckily to be seated, however I would recommend calling ahead of time to book. Even with a tag as lofty as theirs, the prices were really reasonable and service was fast.
DAY 4

We left quietly the next morning to catch the 6:30am ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). Food on the ferry was actually delicious and fresh and we spent most of the trip on the outside deck spotting bald eagles in the trees lining the waterway and looking for whales in the water. We then began our journey on the world renowned Sea to Sky highway, widely considered the most beautiful drive on the continent. Which we will detail in a post soon to come!
woman on horseshoe bay ferry, vancouver
Coming into Horseshoe Bay from the Nanaimo ferry.
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Vancouver Island Road Trip: Victoria to Tofino on a Budget (Part 1)

6/20/2019

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​In June of this year, 2019, we decided we would make the trip from the interior of British Columbia to the world renowned Vancouver Island on the west coast. As with many of our destinations, Vancouver Island and especially its capital of Victoria, are typically considered to be harsh on the wallet. In this guide I want to showcase how you can visit the island of towering forests as budget friendly as possible. There's so much to do on the island we decided to put the trip into two blog posts! See Part 2 here for more information on what to do in Tofino and Ucluelet!
DAY 1

Getting to the Island itself is no doubt going to be the single most expensive part of the adventure for most budget visitors. As our trip was going to start in the provincial capital of Victoria, we decided we would catch the ferry from Tsawwassen (try saying that three times quickly!) to Victoria. The price for one regular sized car and two adults was about $90 one way ($57 for the car, $17 for each adult). Its worth mentioning here that the terminal will only accept cash or credit payments but fortunately has an ATM machine on site which will charge you a small fortune to withdraw from, make sure you have cash handy beforehand if you intend to pay this way. We departed the ferry terminal at 8:00 am and arrived into the Victoria terminal at about 9:30 am. The drive from the terminal to Victoria proper is about half an hour, dependent on traffic of course.

Our first stop on the Victoria leg of our trip was to meet up with a lifelong friend of Caitlin's, Amy, the founder of AimOutside, an organisation promoting outdoors adventure as a way to inspire mental well-being. This is actually our second visit to Victoria and we will provide an in-depth guide for the city in a future post. On this trip in particular we decided to buy a day pass for the city transit ($5) and head downtown. Amy had arranged for us to explore the city on E-Bikes. As both Caitlin and I seldom ride bicycles, at first we were a little nervous as we sat on the bus heading to Ocean River Sports, the rental company. Reassuring us that Victoria is one of the few cities in North America that is designed with bikes and biker safety in mind, something that became more evident as we got closer to the downtown heart of the city, with bike lanes on every single street and many of which guarded by a curb.
E-bike at Clover Point in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is known for being a very bike-friendly city.
Man on e-bike outside Ocean River Sports in Victoria, British Columbia
We rented e-bikes from Ocean River Sports our first morning in Victoria.
As we arrived at Ocean River Sports the three E-bikes we were to take out were sat proudly by the door, waiting for us to hop on. The bikes had a real unique look to them, totally different to what I was expecting. The saddle positioned low on the bike, reminiscent of the Chopper motorcycles of the 1950s, with wide handlebars and beautiful dark leather masking where the battery and motor sits in the frame. Even as someone with no real interest in bikes or motorbikes, I could really appreciate the design of these E-bikes was incredibly excited to 'cooly' tour the city on them.

The staff at Ocean River were very helpful in giving us all the information we needed for our two hour e-bike excursion and gave us a run down of what signals to make so cars and pedestrians know what we were about to do. Fortunately the store sits adjacent to a fairly large parking lot and we were able to cycle up and down it to get comfortable with the controls of the throttle as well as the surprising weight of the e-bike itself. After maybe 5 minutes of getting used to the vehicles, we got onto the streets of Victoria (bike lanes of course!) our first stop? Beacon Hill Park.

The park was only a 7 or 8 minute bike ride from the rental store (go back east on Pandora then south on Douglas). Beacon Hill is a must see in Victoria in our opinion. Waterways crossed by Victorian bridges run throughout the park and its diverse array of trees, shrubbery and flowers feel a million miles away from the busy streets by parliament building just a mile away. As we ventured deeper into the park, watching squirrels rushing around serenaded by all manner of bird songs, we arrived at Beacon Hill Childrens Farm (don't worry, as far as we know it doesn't farm children). While Amy waited with our bikes by the entrance of the petting zoo, we spent a few minutes in the company of at least 30 goat kids who were more than happy to indulge in some head rubs. Even if renting e-bikes around the city isn't on your itinerary, be sure to spend an hour or two relaxing in Beacon Hill Park, if the weather is just right, you won't find a better place to chill out in Victoria.
Blonde goat at petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia
Beacon Hill Park has an entry by donation petting zoo.
Woman petting goat at petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia
Both these "kids" are named Caitlin.
Man with goats at petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia
The goats are very friendly but will chew material if you let them!
After our slow exploration of Beacon Hill Park, we decided to take the Dallas road trail which runs on the coastal edge of the park. The trail is utterly breathtaking and on a hot day as ours was, provides a welcome sea breeze. Although bikes are not allowed on some parts of the trail, the road running parallel to it isn't overly busy and in all honesty, even if an area of the trail isn't bike friendly, if no one is on it, common sense insists on using it anyway. The views of the vast and harsh pacific ocean from the trail are unforgettable and fortunately there are several places you can stop and take a while to fully appreciate them. Perhaps the two best, in our experience, are Clover point and Trafalgar park. Sitting on the rocks at Trafalgar park as the pacific breeze caresses your cheeks feels like such a uniquely Victoria experience. Luckily for us, as we rested a while at Trafalgar park, a tour bus guide on his break inquired about our E-bikes and then proceeded to give us a run down of the history of the area, notably that it was home to much of the cities early Chinese population and to this day is the site of a Chinese cemetery.
Two women on e-bikes in Victoria, British Columbia
Clover Point is a popular viewpoint for cars, bikes and pedestrians!
Women jumping between boulders at Trafalgar Park in Victoria, British Columbia
Trafalgar Park on the Dallas Scenic Marine Route offers amazing views of the Olympic Peninsula.
Returned to downtown and had lunch at local favourite: The Drake

After stopping at several viewing points on the coastal trails around Victoria, we decided it was time to head back to the downtown, return our Chopper-esque E-bikes and recharge with some lunch. Similar to the journey to pacific trails a few hours earlier, the ride back to rental shop again was an easy one, thanks to Victoria's bike friendly infrastructure. Just a short walk from Ocean River Sports is The Drake, a gorgeous pub with a wide array of craft beers and a fancy but inexpensive menu. The pub also boasts a private outdoor seating area, however after spending a few hours in the sun on our bikes, we opted to take respite from it as we ate and drank.
The Drake in Victoria, British Columbia
The Drake in downtown Victoria, British Columbia.
Picture
Amy sampling craft beers before ordering lunch and a drink.
Goldstream Provincial Park

After returning to our friends house for a while to recuperate on a very busy morning, we headed towards the majestic Goldstream Provincial Park. With the trail head located only a little more than half an hour away from Victoria, it is one of the most accessible provincial parks on the Island, yet even though we visited in the height of summer we didn't find it to be particularly busy. Day hiking is free within the park and park staff gave us a trail map to help us choose a hike. ​On our previous trip to Victoria, we also visited this provincial park and followed a totally different trail complete with trestle bridges and a second Niagara Falls. On this this visit we decided to follow the Goldstream Falls trail.

The hike to Goldstream Falls was a very easy one, with minimal elevations and a clear and well maintained trail to follow. The provincial park is full of stunning old growth (Forest never cleared or felled), as such, walking amongst the gargantuan trees made us feel like we had stepped into another world entirely. Even the strong summer sun struggled to break through the thick rainforest canopy, what little rays could breach it lit the trail up as if it were straight from a fairly tale of old.

As the trail runs parallel to the river, there are many occasions where it is possible to climb down and sit beside the water. Some of the trails down to the river are a little steep, so if you encounter one you don't feel comfortable scaling wait for an easier one further along the trail. As a true reminder to the fact Vancouver Island is a rain forest, ferns sit to the floor as if a thick green carpet. Difficult as it was, we forced ourselves to stop gawping and snapping hundreds of pictures by the river and continued down the trail towards the waterfall at its end. You will hear the falls some time before you are able to see them, which only adds to the excitement of what it to come. The hardest part of the hike is descending the staircase that takes you down to the waterfall, however it couldn't be more worth it. The waterfalls beauty doesn't lie so much in its height or its width but the force at which it shoots from the fern lined rock edge into the pristine pool at its base. We sat for some time on our own on the rocks not far from its base. The climate sitting in the basin by falls is totally different from the trail, at least several degrees cooler which is totally welcome relief after tackling the imposing stairs prior. The trail itself is linear, and as such you will take the same route back that you came on.
Picture
Caitlin sitting amongst the ferns in Goldstream Provincial Park.
Picture
Both the Goldstream falls and Niagara trestle hikes are beautiful. Ask park staff for a free map.
DAY 2 

Our second day on Vancouver Island started bright and early, getting up to leave at 6:00 am. Our first destination of the day would be Cameron Lake and the fabled Cathedral Grove, a 2 and a half hour drive at the very least. Caitlin knew that stops on the way to Cathedral Grove were few and far between, and as such we filled our gas tank in Victoria and stocked up on food for breakfast and lunch the night before.

As a result no doubt of leaving so early in the morning, the drive to Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove was an easy one, not really encountering too much traffic en route. We arrived at Cameron Lake at around 8:30am, although the parking area was right around a bend and would be very easy to miss. Be sure to not be driving too quickly when the lake appears to your right next to the road so you don't miss it! The parking area provided an outhouse, which after a large tea and no prior stops, was much needed to say the least! Cameron lake is as serene as it was vast, its surface unbroken throughout, save for the occasional fish diving into the air to catch its breakfast. Again thanks to the early time of arrival, the lake wasn't busy at all, the only other person around was an old fisherman who afforded us a polite smile as we passed by. We thoroughly recommend stopping off at Cameron Lake on your journey through Vancouver Island, the untouched natural beauty of the lake as well as the dense forest surrounding it really sets the tone for the rest of the Island.

Continuing only a few minutes on from the Cameron Lake stop you will find yourself entering Macmillan Provincial Park, home of the world renowned Cathedral Grove. The parking for the park lines both sides of the road, yet we only hiked around the left side of the Grove. Even at just before 9am, the road had begun to get busy, so be careful crossing the road if you decide to explore both halves of the park. Exploring Goldstream just the day before, we assumed we had seen most of what an old growth rainforest had to offer, we were very wrong.
Cameron Lake, Vancouver Island
Cameron Lake has beautiful deep blue water.
Trail in Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island
Cathedral Grove looks like a fairy tale.
Woman sitting on a tree over a stream in Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island.
This stream in Cathedral Grove had the clearest water.
The big tree at Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island
The big tree is located on the left side of the highway if you are traveling from Victoria. It's 76 m tall!
The trees, both standing and those fallen were like nothing either of us had ever seen before. Many of the Douglas fir's in the park are over 800 years old, which has allowed them to become natural skyscrapers. Walking the trails around the park, it was hard to find words to describe the awe we felt. The park is well signed, giving a great deal of interesting information about the history of the area as well as the biodiversity that Cathedral Grove boasts. Luckily many of the signs pander to the natural curiosity 'how do these trees compare to...?' with many of the trees being larger and older than man made structures, such as the leaning tower of Pisa. Cathedral Grove is a must see when visiting Vancouver Island and if you are able, visit in the morning where you will be left to your own devices to explore (with head permanently pointed skyward!).
Hole in the Wall and Port Alberni​

Continuing onward from the Cathedral Grove, our next destination would be the Hole In The Wall waterfall and then the beautiful little town of Port Alberni. The Hole In The Wall waterfall (below) is a water feature created by a team blasting through the rock over half a century ago. The cities fresh water supply came through a pipe in the hole which has since eroded away. The waterfall is a little tricky to find however. Heading towards Port Alberni from Victoria, you will need to take a left turn across traffic (not a busy road), the turn off for which is a little hard to see. If you see Alberni veterinary clinic on the right, you have gone 50 meters too far and should turn around in the parking lot of the clinic and turn left back onto the highway (just as we had to!). Once you have found the turn off for the hike, continue past the gate and head down the road, take the first right then when you reach a fork, go right again and continue on until you come across a clearing which is a makeshift parking lot. Head down the trail that starts next to the road you entered the 'parking lot' area on and follow the signs to the waterfall.

We were the only people at the Hole In The Wall and as such were able to really enjoy the area at our own pace without distraction from others. Don't be tempted to try and drive down the trail past where we advised you to park your car as the trail hereafter isn't suitable for a vehicle. You can see how beautiful the waterfall is below and a log sits in front of the chute offering a perfect opportunity for a quick photo-shoot!
Hole in the Wall waterfall trail sign in Port Alberni
Hole in the Wall waterfall at Port Alberni
Hole in the Wall at Port Alberni is a must see!
Next we headed onward to the village of Port Alberni, an old shipping settlement which today seems to serve more tourists than it does freight. We researched places to grab a lunch extensively before visiting the town (we were peckish on the drive to the town) and decided on Blue Door Cafe, a cute family run cafe which served up a terrific and hearty brunch. The owners were very friendly and chatty and offered some information on the area. Just a short walk from the cafe is the historic waterfront. Make sure to climb the red staircase attached to the restaurant on the water for panoramic views of the area. While we were taking pictures of the horizon, a huge bald eagle flew only meters overhead, showcasing his brilliance. Remember to fill up on gas here as there are no real towns between Port Alberni and Ucluelet/Tofino! 
View of lake at Port Alberni
View of the lake at Port Alberni
Ancient Petroglyphs (Sproat Lake)
​
Not a long drive from Port Alberni, we stopped off at Sproat lake to take a look at their famous petroglyths.  As the road to our final destination of the day, Ucluelet and Tofino experiences frequent scheduled closures thanks to rock blasting, we decided stopping at Sproat Lake would be the perfect way to spend an hour, much better than the alternative of being stuck in the car in a row of traffic (in the 30+ heat!). The petroglyphs can be enjoyed by standing on a floating viewing platform on the lake. Initially, thanks to the glaring midday sun, the images were hard to make out, but once our eyes adjusted, the animals on display became clear. After some research online, we learned the age of the images are undetermined with some estimates putting them at a maximum of 3000 years old. Stopping at Sproat lake is great way to pass the time if you happen to travel at a time you would end up stuck at temporary road closure. Here is an article detailing when you can expect the road to be shut.
View of Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
Take a dip at Sproat Lake and walk to the ancient petroglyphs.
Ancient petroglyphs at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
Can you see the mythological creatures carved into the rock?
The drive from Port Alberni to Tofino is a beautiful one that should be driven slowly to fully appreciate the sights around you. On your right after a while you will come across a pull out, full of hippie camper vans and people swimming among the rocks. This is Wally Creek (below), considered by those who know about it to be a secret. It isn't a secret, nor is it worth stopping at, unless you enjoy a small creek full of people and the stench of cannabis. Instead, skip this 'secret' and continue down the road for a few hundred meters and pull off into the small layby and head down into the rocky area where a waterfall meets a narrow rocky valley. We were the only people here (presumably because its harder to get to) and enjoyed the amazing views in peace. The climb down to the rocks is a little tricky, but simply being careful is enough to nullify any risk. If you brought mosquito spray with you on your trip, which you really should have, put some on at the car before heading down as there were a few black flies that were interested in us. Had we have had any sandwiches with us, this would have been a perfect place for a quick picnic, just be sure to take everything you brought back up with you!
Blue river on Vancouver Island.
This was one of our favourite stops on the island.
Clear blue water on Vancouver Island
The water is really this colour!
River on Vancouver Island with snow capped mountains in the distance.
Many people were swimming in the river further up the highway.
Vancouver Island is truly a magical place to visit, and in our opinion fully merits the reputation of being one of the beautiful places to visit in North America. As a result of the island providing so much that deserves mentioning, our guide to roadtripping from Victoria to Tofino is in two parts. Check out Part 2 here, which details our time in and around the town of Tofino as well as our breathtaking visit to Hot Springs Cove.
Vancouver Island Road Trip: Victoria to Tofino
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