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Things To Do On Our Property
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Beaches and Swimming Spots
Qualicum Bay has a nice clean, quiet beach area.
Accessed from Sunny Beach Road, it is protected from
traffic noise by a tract of private land. If you follow
the water to the left, during lower tides you'll find
lovely sandy areas, and relatively warm water, comfortable
for swimming. The beach is an excellent choice for a
leisurely stroll, and is covered with a variety of natural
treasures just waiting for the beachcomber in each one
of us.
Qualicum Beach is a quaint, upscale town about
15 minutes from Qualicum Bay Resort. It's also the site
of a very popular public beach. If you like to park
and gaze at the beautiful view from the comfort of your
vehicle, or if you prefer to stroll along a paved seawall,
then this is a great location. As the tide recedes,
the ocean reveals a beautiful stretch of glistening
sand, sparkling in the high summer sun. This is one
of the best places to see and be seen. Parking can be
a problem on hot summer days, so plan to arrive early.
And any time of year, plan to enjoy!
Parksville Beach is roughly 25 minutes from
Qualicum Bay and is the area's second-largest public
beach. Located in the middle of the city of Parksville,
it boasts beautiful soft white sand, and has a playground
for the little ones. Although it's a popular choice
for locals and visitors alike, there's usually adequate
parking conveniently available.
Rathtrevor Beach is big and beautiful. Perhaps
your plans for the perfect sandcastle require several
hundred square feet. Or maybe you'd like enough room
for all those extra-large beach towels. Well, this place
can accommodate them if they're all the size of tennis
courts! Sand, sand, sand, almost as far as the eye can
see. It's approximately a 30-minute drive to the beach,
and if the tide is out, you can walk barefoot in the
sand for another 30 minutes before you finally dip your
toes in the Pacific Ocean. While there's usually plenty
of parking, it can be quite a distance from the beach.
So be sure to bring someone strong with you, someone
to carry the picnic cooler and all its refreshing contents.
Spider Lake has clean, warm water and is ideal
for family swimming. There's a Provincial Park beach,
and a full-time park warden is on duty during daylight
hours. This picturesque location is also perfect for
canoeing. Parking is free.
Horne Lake is located just beyond Spider Lake,
and also offers a Provincial Park beach. Please keep
in mind that paid parking is enforced at this park.
Cameron Lake is located on the Port Alberni
Highway, between Little Qualicum Falls and Cathedral
Grove. This lovely little mountain lake is considered
bottomless, so keep your eyes peeled and who knows,
you may discover a Loch Ness monster of your very own.
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Family Entertainment
Trail Rides
At Timber Trails Ranch the trail guides take you on
some of the finest horseback riding trails on Vancouver
Island. It is a unique way of touring our great outdoors.
Choose a 20-minute ride,a full-day trip, or anything
in between.
Caving and Climbing
At Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park you can discover
a whole different world, a world where sunlight never
enters. Among other attractions, you can take a guided
caving tour, all the way from a 1/2 hour adventure to
a 6-hour underground extreme tour. You can also explore
on your own as there are two caves open to the public
for self-exploring. For the adventurer there is a two-hour
basic rappelling techniques course, called 'Going Vertical'.
Enjoy!
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Excursions
Qualicum Falls - Cathedral
Grove - Coombs
For this trip follow Hwy. 4 from Qualicum Beach
towards Port Alberni. Qualicum Falls Provincial
Park has an excellent trail with lookout points
over the falls. After a visit to this spot carry
on towards Port Alberni, passing Cameron Lake,
(a beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing). On
the end of the lake is Cathedral Grove, also known
as MacMillan Park. Here you'll find some of the
largest trees on the Island. A windstorm in the
Spring of 1997 had a devastating effect on this
park, with one-third of all old-growth trees now
on the ground, trees that stood for hundreds of
years. This will give you a feel for the force
of nature. Next you should turn around and follow
the road all the way in to Coombs, where you'll
find the Old Country Market. Coombs has kept its
charming, rustic personality and is a traditional
resting place with a variety of stores to visit,
a children's fun park and several eating establishments.
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 Qualicum
Beach
Qualicum received its name from the aboriginal
peoples, a name which means chum or dog salmon,
both of which were plentiful in the rivers. All
the stores in Qualicum Beach are small, locally-operated
ones and there is plenty of variety. Qualicum
has a bylaw forbidding chain stores, so you won't
find a McDonalds in town. The new Heritage Park
houses the Power House and Museum and is alive
with stories of yesterday.
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 Little
Mountain - Englishman River Falls
For this trip take Highway 19 South, exit at the
first Parksville exit and turn towards Coombs.
After about 100 feet you'll come to Bellevue Rd.
Turn left there, and the third road on your left
will be Little Mountain Road. Follow it to the
top, where you will find a trail leading you to
the very top, with a reward of the most spectacular
360 degree view. From here, go back down the hill
to Coombs road and follow this road until you
see the sign to Englishman River Falls. Here again
you will find an excellent trail that lets you
see all the beauty typical of the waterfalls that
dot this Island. This is a great place to spend
a few hours, and it has lots of picnic areas available. |
 Denman
and Hornby Islands
Denman and Hornby Islands lie just off the coast.
The ferry to Denman Island leaves from Buckley Bay,
just off Highway 19A and the ferry to Hornby leaves
from Denman. You may take your car across or go
on foot and rent a bicycle. For the cyclist it is
advised to make the trip clockwise around the island.
Both ends starting at the ferry terminals have a
steep climb for a short distance at the beginning
with an enjoyably long, slow decline to the other
ferry terminal, which allows access to Hornby Island.
Denman is known for its many galleries, studios
and craft stores, with many local artists displaying
their work. Chrome Island Trail starts on
the southerly end of East Road by the ferry terminal
to Hornby Island. The trail goes into tall timber
and leads to a view directly over to Chrome Island
Lighthouse. Hornby Island requires a bit more time
if you bike it, but make sure you get an early start.
The road leads you round the island to a fabulous
beach at Tribune Bay where you may want to have
a dip in the clear water in a sandy bay flanked
on one side by a unique rock formation and on the
other by the cliffs of Helliwell Park. The trail
through Helliwell Park is equally spectacular along
the Helliwell Bluffs. Make sure you take your camera
along! The circle route is about three miles long. |
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Restaurants
- Henry's Kitchen
Fine Chinese and Western cuisine. Located right on
our property.
- The ConeZone
Hand-dipped cones, hot dogs, a small grocery section
and a great view of the Bay. Located right on our
property.
- Sandbar Café
- Pradolini's Pizza
- Lighthouse Restaurant
- The Crown and Anchor Pub
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Your
hosts,
Christine and Hans Stussi
"Wir Sprechen Deutsch!"
Come
and enjoy our down-home hospitality!
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