Attractions Nearby Victoria, Day Trips and Excursions

(Victoria, British Columbia - BC, Canada)

The city of Victoria serves as an excellent starting point to explore the many attractions of Vancouver Island, residing on the far south-eastern corner and alongside the Saanich Peninsula. On Vancouver Island, the main attractions within easy reach of Victoria include the Duncan and Cowichan Valley, the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, the town of Sidney, and the cities of both Nanaimo and Port Alberni.

However, regular ferry ensure that the attractions of mainland British Columbia are just a short trip away, where the city of Vancouver comes very highly recommended and is directly to the north of Victoria. Head further north still and North America's winter skiing capital of Whistler lies in wait.

Vancouver

Vancouver is without question one of the most stunning cities in Canada and is sited some 109 km / 68 miles to the north of Victoria, with its busy Tsawwassen Harbour being connected by regular ferries. Attractions in Vancouver are extremely varied and range from an array of Victorian buildings within the city's historical Gastown neighbourhoods, to a huge expanse of green within Stanley Park. Families will always enjoying spending time at the Playland amusement park, the highly interactive Telus World of Science, or exploring the wealth of marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium. Art lovers should not miss out on a visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery on Hornby Street.

Duncan and Cowichan Valley

Just 60 km / 37 miles to the north of Victoria, the town of Duncan can be reached along the Trans Canada Highway and stands at the entrance to the Cowichan Valley, close to the Cowichan Lake. Duncan makes for a very popular day trip from Victoria and tourists come here will be treated to a handful of quality attractions, such as the BC Forest Discovery Centre, and plenty of scenic hiking trails next to the Cowichan River, leading to the Skutz Falls. The Duncan Visitor Information Centre is located on Coronation Street and is open daily during the summer months. If you do come to Duncan in the summer, you will find that Cowichan Lake is perfect for swimming, canoeing and fishing.

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a vast and extremely scenic wilderness park, and can be reached from Cowichan Lake, by taking the logging road. Covering more than 39,500 acres / 16,000 hectares, the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is simply vast and this rich rainforest is actually home to some of the tallest trees on the planet, including a giant Sitka spruce standing almost 100 metres / 328 feet high. Various trails lead you through the Carmanah Valley and past Nitinat lake, where windsurfing is especially popular.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Nanaimo

Nanaimo is just 110 km / 68 miles to the north of Victoria and can be easily reached in two hours, making it highly suitable for a day trip excursion. After Victoria, Nanaimo is very much the number two city on Vancouver Island, and boasts a bustling downtown district and a very appealing waterfront area. Regular BC Ferries link Nanaimo with the Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver. Tourists are recommended to take a stroll along the seaside walkway, which is lined with eateries, shops and bars. Other attractions are close by, being based around the central core, or within Georgia Park, where an impressive collection of First Nations canoes are displayed. Ferries to Newcastle Island depart from Nanaimo's Mafeo-Sutton Park.

Port Alberni

Port Alberni is located to the north-west of Victoria and on the outskirts of Parksville, being known for its fishing and forestry industries. The waterfront caters well for tourists and offers a number of attractions, which stand alongside its busy, working dock. Heritage attractions at Port Alberni are surprisingly plentiful and include the Alberni Valley Museum, the McLean Mill National Historic Site, and also the Alberni Pacific Railway Steam Train, which its restored E&N station being found next to the Harbour Quay. However, most people visit Port Alberni to enjoy a trip onboard the Lady Rose Marine and Frances Barkley passenger ferries, heading up the Barkley Sound to Bamfield.

Sidney

A small town situated on the northerly side of the Saanich Peninsula and around 27 km / 17 miles to the north of Victoria, Sidney is a peaceful and tranquil spot, with an impressive waterfront stretching around 3.5 km / 2 miles, complete with an artificial reef and fishing pier. Sights in Sidney include the Marine Museum, the Historical Museum, the Star Theatre, the Mary Winspear Centre, and plenty of water-related attractions, such as swimming, boating, kayaking and scuba diving.

Salt Spring Island

The biggest and most densely populated of all the islands within the Southern Gulf, Salt Spring Island is around 50 km / 31 miles to the north of Victoria. Regular ferries connect the attractions of Salt Spring Island, which include the Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, the Rickle Provincial Park, and the charming village of Ganges, close to the Long Harbour ferry landing.

Whistler

The premier ski resort in North America and the host of many events in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Whistler is equally appealing during the sunny summer months, when countless outdoor activities and attractions present themselves to visiting tourists. The choice of hiking and mountain biking trails around Whistler is almost endless, while others prefer the inviting beaches of Alta Lake, the whitewater rafting adventures on the Elaho-Squamish or Green Rivers, or the exceptional fly fishing. Whistler is around 242 km / 150 miles to the north of Victoria, and so is really more suitable for a short break, rather than a day trip as such.