Nanaimo Visitor's Guide 2008 - 50

7 Great Day Trips cont’d 3. Artist Studio Tour [1 Day] Hop a 20-minute ferry from downtown Nanaimo to Gabriola Island, a quiet rural setting where countless artists have taken up residence. Drive the loop around the island and look for roadside signs that point to studios and galleries of all kinds: pottery, stained glass, oil and watercolor painting, and more. It’s a treat to watch these artists at work in their own unique studio spaces. • Drive time: 40 minutes around loop • Route: South Rd. – North Rd. loop. (Get free map at ferry toll booth.) • Contact: Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce 250-247-9332 www.gabriolaisland.org or fish for one (only in the fall). Dive with the elusive sixgill sharks off Hornby Island. Go spelunking at Horne Lake Caves, then finish the day at Parksville’s enormous beach, where you can stretch out on a towel or hit the skate park ramps. • Drive time: 2 hrs. each way • Route: Hwy. 19 north to Campbell River • Contact: Comox Valley Tourism 1-888-357-4471 www.discovercomoxvalley.com • Tourism Campbell River & Region 1-866-830-1113 www.campbellriver.travel • Oceanside Tourism 1-888-799-3222 www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com 4. Shopper’s Paradise [1 Day] Head south over Malahat Mountain to Victoria, where you can easily spend an entire day either browsing or power shopping. Start at the Inner Harbour and walk up Government St. for Native art and souvenirs galore. Here you can also pick up a piece of Victoria’s British heritage – woolens and bone china from England or tartans from Scotland. Find Asian wares in Chinatown on Fisgard St., and browse antiques and collectibles on Fort St. Diversions: Afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, Fisherman’s Wharf fish and chips, Butchart Gardens tours, Orca whale watching tours in summer. • Drive time: 1 ¾ hrs. each way • Route: Hwy. 1 south to Victoria • Contact: Tourism Victoria 1-800-663-3883 www.tourismvictoria.com NORTH ISLAND WILDLIFE RECOVERY CENTRE 1240 Leffler Rd, Errington BC 250-248-8534 www.niwra.org 5. Extreme Sports [1-2 Days] Gear up and get north for extreme outdoor adventure. Drive an hour to Mt. Washington Alpine Resort in the Courtenay/Comox area. Depending on the season, you can ski, board or mountain bike the slopes here. Next, head to the town of Campbell River to snorkel with the spawning salmon Public Viewing Spring Break to Oct 31st Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm Live Owl Presentation July & August Wed, Thurs & Fri. 1:30 pm Eagles, Owls, Turkey Vultures, Black Bear, Falcons, Hawks and More “A Wildlife Experience For The Whole Family” 50 www.tourismnanaimo.com

Nanaimo Visitor's Guide 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Nanaimo Visitor's Guide 2008