Travel from Vancouver Island’s east coast to west through its mountainous core, alongside huge lakes and waterfalls on a Campbell River to Gold River road trip. The 100km drive to the terminus of Highway 28 beckons adventurous travellers to disconnect and revel in the beauty of nature, with no phone signal or Wi-Fi in sight.
Vancouver Island
North of Campbell River, Vancouver Island becomes a much wilder place to explore. A Campbell River to Port Hardy road trip is the best starting point for an unforgettable North Vancouver Island adventure.
Looking for a Vancouver Island adventure further away from the beaten path? Consider a Nanaimo to Campbell River road trip. This coastal adventure offers the chance to stroll along spectacular sandy beaches, take in dramatic waterfalls, eat local seafood and hike through the temperate rainforest.
Perched on the edge of the ocean and endless wilderness, Campbell River is a hotspot for outdoor recreation. It’s one of our favourite cities in BC! Here are 27+ ideas of things to do in Campbell River, including our ultimate top ten activities.
Perched unassumingly on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, the small city of Courtenay is an ideal destination for anyone seeking nature with the comforts of an urban locale. Discover more than 40 great things to do in Courtenay and the wider Comox Valley area.
The Pacific Marine Circle Route is one of Vancouver Island’s best road trips. This post shares our top picks for places to stop along the 263km long route, as well as useful tips to make the most of the journey.
The Juan de Fuca Trail is a 47km coastal hiking trail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The challenging route traverses technical forest and beach terrain, with the roaring Pacific Ocean as an ever present backdrop. Read on to discover the essential details you need to know to explore this beautiful coastal trail.
The Nanaimo to Tofino road trip is one of British Columbia’s best and it is easy to see why. The curving route travels from one side of Vancouver Island to the other, passing peaceful lakes, old growth forest, golden sand beaches and misty mountain ranges.
While the rewards of the West Coast Trail are plentiful, hikers need to be completely self sufficient and prepared to endure potentially extreme weather conditions. Bringing the right equipment is key!
If you have only one chance (and two weeks) to explore Western Canada, this is the road trip for you. As well as including all of the ‘must sees,’ this two week Western Canada road trip itinerary features the contrasting landscapes that make this region so unique. Think ocean, rainforest, desert and mountains, all in one road trip!
With beautiful views, well-maintained facilities, a convenient location and just the right amount of challenge, the Sayward Canoe Circuit is a great choice for a paddling trip for novices and veterans alike. It’s a unique Vancouver Island paddling experience to rival other canoe trip experiences in British Columbia.
Newcastle Island is a little haven from Nanaimo’s city bustle and makes for a lovely day or afternoon trip from Vancouver Island, especially for paddlers and hikers
The Cape Scott Trail is a 47km hiking adventure through lush rainforest, sand dunes, stunning beaches and interesting history in Cape Scott Provincial Park, at the very northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Discover everything you need to know about this spectacular multi-day hike!
Hidden in the deep green valleys of Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Park is the Della Falls trail to Canada’s highest waterfall. Read about our experience and follow the guide to visit Della Falls yourself
A cathedral of magnificent trees on Vancouver Island, Carmanah Valley is a magical place for any nature lover to visit. A pilgrimage is definitely worth making despite the more difficult access. Here’s everything you need to know
With so many pristine natural areas (and over 3000km of coastline!), Vancouver Island is the perfect place to go camping. Read on for a complete guide to camping on Vancouver Island, including 25+ of the best campsites, insider tips and essential safety advice
Discover 15 magical places to see magnificent big trees around Vancouver Island, British Columbia, ranging from magical old growth groves and remote valleys to coastal hiking trails and scenic campgrounds
Most visitors to Vancouver Island see only Tofino and Victoria – great combination – but Vancouver Island has MUCH more to offer! See the magnificence of Vancouver Island without the crowds on these three road trip itineraries.
Victoria Island and Vancouver Island are commonly mistaken for each other but are actually quite different places. Located in the Arctic, Victoria Island is incredibly difficult to get to. Wonderfully wild Vancouver Island, however, is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the mainland of British Columbia.
In honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, I’m sharing my favourite places and moments of life and travels in this incredible country with you. Maybe some of these adventures are on your own Canadian bucket list?