Itinerary

From Vancouver, head over to Vancouver Island by ferry. After checking times and booking for the Tsawwessen-Swartz Bay Ferry, take the 70-mile drive to the ferry terminal. It shouldn’t take more than two hours, but allow four hours in case of traffic. Head south for the TransCanada Highway, then take the ferry across to Sannich in the south of Vancouver Island.

On arrival, Salish Seaside RV Haven is just 30 km away, situated right on Victoria’s harbour with spectacular views of the city. The park has easy access to the city centre, so all the main attractions are a five-minute drive away. Alternatively, leave your RV at the park and take Victoria Harbour Ferries straight to the heart of the city.
Victoria’s waterfront, architecture and seafood makes British Columbia’s capital city a delight to visit.

· 95 km to Saanich and 30 km to Victoria.

Leave Victoria this morning and take the highway, climbing over the rugged Malahat highlands, covered in 400-year-old Douglas fir trees.

The Malahat Summit provides stunning viewpoints over the Saanich Inlet. The lowland valleys have lush farmlands, tree farms, orchards, and the rivers are home to trout and salmon.

Head further north on Highway 19 to reach Campbell River. Take the short crossing on the ferry north to Quadra Island and Ripple Rock RV Park at Browns Bay Resort.

· 290 km to Campbell River

Head to the north-west tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy. Cape Scott Provincial Park provides a great opportunity to explore the 14-mile beach populated by seals and sea lions, and you can watch whales, dolphins and orcas offshore.

Roads only head back south-east from here so take Highway 19 back for 40km. Towards the coast, you’ll find Beaver Cove and your campsite at Telegraph Cove. Visit Cormorant Channel Provincial Park on the way to your RV Park with ocean views and a marina.

· 300 km to Telegraph Cove including the round trip north to Port Hardy.

Return the way you came along the east coast of Vancouver Island, so if you missed anything on the way north, this is the opportunity to stop now. Provincial parks along the way past Campbell River include Morton Lake, Elk Falls and Miracle Beach.

Head for the Qualicum Bay Resort, by leaving Highway 19 between Qualicum Beach and Fanny Bay. The region is rich in seafood so a great place to stop for lunch. The road gives easy access to Qualicum Bay’s sand and pebble beaches, and don’t miss the waterfalls at Little Qualicum Falls.

· 300 km to Qualicom Bay

It’s only a short drive today to enjoy Vancouver Island’s second city, Nanaimo, in a beautiful location between Mount Benson and the Straight of Georgia.

Nanaimo also has a thriving local arts and music scene, while history enthusiasts will enjoy downtown’s historic buildings, many of which have been transformed into charming shops, restaurants or museums in the Old City Quarter.

Visit The Bastion, the Hudson Bay Company’s old fortress and stop for a drink at the historic Palace Hotel, then head for your campground, 53 natural acres of oceanfront, forest and riverside.

· 90 km to Living Forest in Nanaimo

The Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay Ferry is 10 minutes from your campground. You will need to have booked the Early Bird Departure Special with Cruise America so you can return your motorhome in the afternoon today. Alternatively, spend a few nights back at Burnaby Cariboo Campground and enjoy more time in Vancouver. Your ferry crossing is about two hours and then from Horseshoe Bay drive back to Cruise Canada’s office in Delta or back to Burnaby.

· 30 km Nanaimo to Delta plus ferry time, or 50 km to Burnaby Cariboo.