Our Region

The History of Campbell River

Discovery Islands - featuring Quadra and Cortes

North of Campbell River

West of Campbell River

South of Campbell River

The Oceanside Route - Hwy. 19A

Day Trips from Campbell River

Webcams
Wonders of the Wild

Bald Eagles

Salmon

Whales

Bears

Our Region - Let Us Introduce Our Neighbours

Discovery Islands

Featuring Quadra and Cortes

Just ten minutes by ferry from downtown Campbell River, Quadra Island feels a world away in atmosphere. From Quadra, hop aboard another ferry to remote Cortes Island, where setting your watch to local time truly takes on new meaning. Either island is an ideal starting point for exploring the other six major Discovery Islands.

Less than 4000 people live on picturesque Quadra, yet there's a range of accommodations, eateries, and shops, plus parks, trails, and more. Pick wild blackberries, stroll the beach, watch for wildlife, or rent a kayak. Quadra Island hosts a garden tour every June, and the island's First Nations' past comes alive at the Kwagiulth Museum. Other sights include numerous studios and galleries, Rebecca Spit Provincial Park and historic Cape Mudge Lighthouse.

Cortes (population 950) is known for its stunning scenery and laid-back, self-sufficient lifestyle. Explore trails and beaches, visit the museum, or browse in local shops. Gorge Harbour Marina, and Von Donop Marine Park and Manson's Landing Provincial Marine Park are longtime boaters' favourites. Cortes Island is small, so it's a good idea to reserve accommodation in advance.

www.discoveryislands.ca

www.quadraisland.ca

www.cortesisland.com

Email info@discoveryislands.ca for a visitors guide.

North of Campbell River on Highway 19

Sayward-Kelsey Bay

From Campbell River, drive forty-five minutes to Sayward- Kelsey Bay (population 500). Until 1979, this was the southern terminus for BC Ferries' Inside Passage service-you can still see the large dock in Kelsey Bay. Fishing, caving, whale-watching and wildlife tours are major attractions here. Watch for grazing elk, tour the estuary, and walk through the old-growth White River forest.
For information, telephone 250-282-3265 or visit www.village.sayward.bc.ca/.

Telegraph Cove

Located approximately 2.5 hours from Campbell River, Telegraph Cove was the northern end of a tree-to-tree telegraph line strung along Vancouver Island. It was also a sawmill site. Today, Telegraph Cove charms visitors with its quaint boardwalk and picturesque homes, and offers kayaking, bear spotting tours, and renowned whale-watching in Johnstone Strait. Tours depart daily June through mid-October and when the season ends, Telegraph Cove's population drops to around four.
For more information, telephone 1-800-665-3066 or visit www.stubbs-island.com.

Zeballos

About 250 people live in Zeballos, located at the head of Zeballos Inlet approximately 2.5 hours from Campbell River via paved and gravel roads. Zeballos was a mining town, but now its mainstays are logging, fishing, and tourism. The Zeballos-West Coast wilderness area offers rock climbing, caving, fishing, and wildlife watching. Black bears and spawning salmon are often seen in the fall; winter brings trumpeter swans; spring welcomes rufous hummingbirds.
For more information, telephone 250-761-4070 (summer) or 250-761-4229 (winter) or visit www.zeballos.com.

West of Campbell River on Highway 28

Gold River

From Campbell River, drive approximately 1.5 hours through the spectacular mountain scenery of Strathcona Provincial Park to Gold River (population 1500). It's one of British Columbia's "instant towns", built amidst the wilderness when the pulp mill opened in 1965. Gold River's steelhead fishing (guide service available), rugged scenery and abundant wildlife are local trademarks.
For more information, telephone 250-283-2202 or visit www.village.goldriver.bc.ca

Tahsis, Kyuquot and Nootka Sound

Photo: Lisa Schofield

From Gold River, take the coastal freighter MV Uchuck III to historic Yuquot (Friendly Cove), Tahsis (population 800), or Kyuquot (population 275). The almost uninhabited community of Yuquot is where the British explorer Captain James Cook came ashore in 1778.

Surrounded by the Rugged Mountain Range at the head of Tahsis Inlet, Tahsis is also accessible by a steep, gravel road, which is the route of the (38 mile/63.5 km) Great Walk between Gold River and Tahsis reputed to be North America's toughest Walkathon. Visit these destinations for diving, sea kayaking, sport fishing, caving, hiking, birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
For more information, telephone 250-934-6667 or visit www.villageoftahsis.com

South of Campbell River on Highway 19 and 19A

Don't forget to explore the Oceanside Route on your way to or from Campbell River! It's the old highway 19A travelling north from Nanaimo, and leads you on a scenic journey through Parksville, Qualicum Beach and the Comox Valley!