Road map of Campbell River area and Courtenay area (BC Canada)

Central Vancouver Island     

Edged by the thin strip of coastal towns along Highway 19, much  of central Vancouver Island remains an untamed, rugged mountain  wilderness, with Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia's first  and largest provincial park, at its center. Port Alberni is the gateway  to the isolated coastal communities on the western side of the island,  while the Comox Valley, nestled between the Strait of Georgia and the  Beaufort Mountains and encompassing the towns of Comox, Courtenay, and  Cumberland, offers beaches, quaint rural attractions, more than 40 parks  to explore, and endless outdoor activities.     

Campbell River [A5] In a spectacular setting of mountains,  rivers, lakes, and ocean, Campbell River is an important lumber and  commercial fishing center famous for its fighting chinook salmon.  Campbell River is also home to the Tyee Club, where membership is earned  by landing a salmon of 14 kg while fishing from a rowboat in raging  waters. 81 Rare and important Native petroglyphs and totem poles can be  found on 24-km-long Quadra Island, as well as fine opportunities for  clam and oyster digging.     

Courtenay [B6] The rich cultural history of the Comox Valley is  shown at The Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre. On  display are the fossilized remains of an 80-million-year-old elasmosaur  (a swimming reptile 14 m long), Native fish traps, artifacts from  Cumberland's Chinatown, and a pioneer dairy.     

Denman and Hornby Islands [C6-C7] This pair of islands,  connected by ferry from Buckley Bay, is packed with trails to beautiful  viewpoints. Boyle Point Provincial Park at Denman's south end offers  trails through old Douglas fir forests; at the lighthouse on Chrome  Island eagles and sea lions may be seen. Denman's beaches is a daily  treasure trove for beachcombers. Hornby has Tribune Bay, one of the  finest sandy beaches in the Gulf Islands. For lovers of arts and crafts,  Denman and Hornby islands boast numerous artist's studios.     

Gold River [B2] The last stop on surfaced roads, Gold River is a  caving hot spot, and the headquarters of the B.C. Speleological  Association. Adventurous visitors may want to explore the mysterious  Upana Caves, or the Quatsino Cave, the deepest vertical cave in North  America. Anglers will want to take advantage of the area's excellent  fishing. Climb aboard the MV Uchucklll for a tour of majestic Nootka  Sound. It was herein 1778 that Capt. James Cook met Chief Maquinna.     

Kayaking on Campbell River Parksville [D8] and Qualicum Beach [D8]     

These two popular summer resort towns offer the best of the  beach: Parksville has 1.6 km of sand on the Strait of Georgia; Qualicum  Beach is known for its pristine white sands. Early April brings the  annual Brant Wildlife Festival, a 3-day celebration of the return of  thousands of chatty brant geese.     

Port Alberni [D6-E6]     

A deepwater port and important fishing and forestry center,  Port Alberni is home to the McLean Mill National Historic Site, which  features a restored steam train that takes visitors for a 10 km ride  along the waterfront. Ferries regularly travel on day-trips to the  remote coastal communities of Ucluelet and Bamfield. Allow some time to  walk through Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, where giant  Douglas firs, many of them 800 years old, reach for the sunlight.     

Tofino [E3] Tofino's lovely sandy beaches are popular with  whale-and bird-watchers, beachcombers, and scuba divers. The Pacific Rim  Whale Festival held each spring celebrates the whale migration.     

ATTRACTIONS     

CAMPBELL RIVER     

Campbell River Museum     

Discovery Pier Elk Falls Provincial Park Haig-Brown House  Education Centre Quadra Island (Kwagiulth Museum, Rebecca Spit  Provincial Park)     

COURTENAY     

Courtenay and District Museum Comox Glacier Filberg Lodge and Park Puntledge Fish Hatchery Cumberland Museum and Archives     

GOLD RIVER     

Upana Caves Quatsino Cave MV Uchucklll cruises Friendly Cove Heber River Trail Peppercorn Trail     

PARKSVILLE/ QUALICUM BEACH     

Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery Brant Festival Old School House Gallery and Art Centre     

Craig Heritage Park Englishman River Falls Provincial Park Home Lake Caves     

Provincial Park Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park     

PORT ALBERNI     

McLean Mill National Historic Site Alberni Harbour Quay Cameron Lake Cathedral Grove J.V. Cline Bird Sanctuary Robertson Creek     

Hatchery Stamp Creek Falls Provincial Park     

Sproat Lake Provincial Park