Vancouver Island Communities

Vancouver Island Golf

Duncan/Cowichan Valley Duncan / Cowichan Valley
Known as The City of Totems, Duncan is the largest community in the Cowichan Valley. This bustling town has a Native Heritage Centre and over 100 totem poles along it's streets. The shops here carry the art of several native artists so it is a good place to shop for authentic Cowichan native sweaters, baskets, books, masks, and jewelry.

The Cowichan Valley area is becoming well known for its wines and is a great area for winery and vineyard tours. One of the latest additions to the local economy is the Cowichan Valley Cheese Factory. The factory is open for tours and they have a retail outlet if you would like to take some of their delicious products with you. Check the epicurean tour section for more information. Duncan is situated 61 km (38 miles) north of Victoria.

Lake Cowichan
Lake Cowichan is located 28 kilometers west of Duncan on Hwy #18. The Town of Lake Cowichan is the gateway to some the of the most spectacular camping, hiking, and fishing venues available on Vancouver Island. Its temperate climate makes it ideal for outdoor activities year round.

Chemanius BC Chemainus
Chemainus is one of the oldest European settlements on Vancouver Island and has existed mainly around the logging industry. After logging operations decreased and the highway bypassed the town, local resident, Karl Schultz began a project to revitalize the economy.

By creating a city of murals, Chemainus became The Little Town that Could. Local artists have painted 35 murals on the buildings, depicting the areas history, and the town is considered a permanent outdoor art gallery. This is a very interesting town as well as a busy tourist attraction.

Chemainus has developed a sizable artist's community. It is now well known for its potters, painters, glass workers and first nations artists. Chemanius also has some wonderful gift shops, galleries and restaurants. Chemainus is 77 km (48 miles) north of Downtown Victoria.

Ladysmith
According to the summer 2000 issue of Harrowsmith Country Life magazine, Ladysmith is one of Canada's 10 prettiest towns. Ladysmith has a slight resemblance to early San Francisco with it's old houses built on steep slopes above the deep water harbour. It sits right on the 49th parallel which marks the Canada/USA border across North America until it reaches Vancouver Island. In the 1930's the industry turned from coal mining to forestry. Today, tourism is becoming increasingly important. Just 87 km (54 miles) from Victoria, Ladysmith is the perfect distance away for a day trip.

Nanaimo BCNanaimo
Nanaimo, known as the Harbour City, is Vancouver Island's second largest city with a beautiful waterfront, wharf, walkways, shops and cafes at the marina. Nanaimo is Vancouver Islands largest export center and is one of the fastest growing communities in the province. Nanaimo also has two major ferry terminals connecting Vancouver Island to the mainland. One takes travelers from Duke Point to Tswawassen, south of Vancouver. The other terminal operates ferries to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

Of further interest in Nanaimo is the Nanaimo District Museum, with its recreations of a Salish village, a coal mine and early Nanaimo. Approximately an hour and a half drive from Victoria, Nanaimo is 111 km (69 miles) north of downtown Victoria.

Westcoast of Vancouver Island
Port Alberni / Tofino / Ucluelet The West coast of Vancouver Island is a magnificent area of old growth forests, stunning fjords, rocky coasts and long sandy beaches.

Port Alberni BCPort Alberni is not quite on the coast but is located at the top of a long fjord. It is a popular stop-over for those wishing to travel on to Tofino and Ucluelet. Port Alberni is a fishing village with a great marina, artist studios as well as boutiques in a beautiful setting along Alberni Quay.

Ucluelet and Tofino are both towns on the west coast of Vancouver Island with a wonderful 19 km stretch of sandy beach between them. This is the appropriately named; Long Beach and is part of the Pacific Rim National Park.

Both Ucluelet and Tofino are cozy little communities with shops, galleries and cafes. In Tofino you will find Roy Vickers Eagle Aerie Gallery, this native art gallery displays not only his own work, but the works of other native artisans as well.

Tofino is a great place to go whale watching, take a fishing charter or an ecological tour of Clayquot Sound. This area of the west coast is very popular with hikers and beachcombers as it is abundant with many species of birds and marine life. It is a wonderful place to take in the beauty, sea air and majestic nature of our wild and wonderful west coast.

Parksville
Parksville is a well established resort community on the east side of the island. Parksville sits beside a long sandy beach. Ebbing tides can expose up to 19 km of shore, leaving large shallow pools in the sand, perfect digging spots for young castle builders. The ocean water in this area warms to a comfortable swimming temperature in the summer. Parksville is situated 147 km (91 miles) west of Victoria on Hwy #1.

Take advantage of this tool when planning your next vacation or getaway to Victoria and Golf Vancouver Island. The Virtual Activities panel will be able to provide you with a world ranging from what to do, coming events, restaurants and much more..

With Virtual Activities, we can make arrangements and help you plan your activities long before you arrive at your Golf Vancouver Island destination.

 

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