Heading West

[brewskie]

Hi Folks,

I know I am ahead of myself, but with two very small children ( Charlotte 2 yrs and Oscar 7 weeks), time really fly's by.

Anyway, my wife and I are planning a trip to coincide with a family wedding on the Sunshine coast in early August. We have decided to plan our summer vacation around it and drive out in the Delica and camp for three weeks. I know this may sound ambitious with really little kids but if it doesn't work out, we have family in Chilliwack and Vancouver to fall back on. Other than the wedding and having Mardy look over the Deli, we have a somewhat loose itinerary. We want to spend about a week on the big island but have never been there before. The plan is to make a loop beginning in Vancouver then the island then over to the Sunshine coast for the wedding then back to Vancouver/Chilliwack for a pit-stop for a few days before making our way back via #3 hwy.

I am looking for any suggestions on must see's and for nice quiet camping on Vancouver island, do we need to book campsites ahead of time, etc, etc......? We also hope to maybe meet some of you kind folks along the way as well.

I appreciate all the help I can get.

Thanks in advance

Rob from Winnipeg

[kb&2dogs]

Send us a PM if you want some info on some cheap and free places to camp on the island. We know lots of them all over the north end of the island in particular. Only problem is, once you get here you might not want to leave!

[after oil]

i live in powell river north of the sunshine coast. theres tons of great free camping and canoe here and stuff like that. (hey, my parents brought me and my brothrs in canoes when we were very small!)
you can come through powell river area from vancouver island by taking a ferry from comox on VI to powell river. its on the way to the sunshine coast and in my opinion nicer than the nanaimo to vancouver to sundhine coast route

gimme a shout if you come aorund!

[brewskie]

Hey thanks for the replies. Big fans of free camping for sure so any info would be appreciated. Being from Winnipeg I think we would love to see the ocean as much as possible. We seem to be drawn to the north end of the island and just north of the sunshine coast. I have always wanted to go to these places, not sure why. Do not really know much about the area. We may make a stop on Quadra Island to drop some bike components off at Naked Cycle for my brother as well so maybe we will be in Campbell river area to catch the ferry over. From Quadra can we make our way over to Powell River area?

What does it cost to use the ferries anyway? We will have a large ski box on racks so I am assuming we will be considered oversize.

Keep the tips coming, we appreciate all we can get.

Thanks again

Rob

[konadog]

Coming to Campbell River?! Give us a call - PM me for details. Naked Cycles Sam was Hazelnut's (my wife) best friend through high school - they were voted "most likely to live to 100" Both are well on the way - Sam is the world's fastest man, after all. Oh, and the ferry to Powell River leaves from Courtney, a little under an hour South of Campbell River

[bryanc]

Hi there , i have traveled a fair bit and Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew at LOW TIDE is one of the spectacular places on earth it's about 2 hours outside of Victoria , if you are up for some logging roads you can drive straight over to Cowichan and continue up island , great little detour.
Bryan

[flyfishn]

Ferry Fares. Much cheaper than the English Channel
This is from HS Bay to Sunshine coast.
Looks to be aroun$70.00 for just the vehicle. There is no cost coming back from the Sunshine Coast.




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REGULAR YEAR ROUND April 1, 2009 March 31, 2010







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General Passengers:
(Passenger Fares Do Not Include Vehicles) Regular Fare Fuel Rebate
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(Up to 7' high, up to 20' long) $39.90 -$0.65
- Extra Length (per foot) $2.00 na
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(Over 7' high and over 7' wide, up to 20' long) $70.55 -$1.60
- Extra Length (per foot) $3.55 na
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[after oil]

about $80 for over height from courtney/comox to powell river each way. plus a bit more for passengers

[dfnder]

Hello,

These places are not so hidden but certainly enjoyable...

I told a friend the other day if I am ever to spend a single day camping with the family that the one place it would be is Bromley Rock http://princeton.travel.bc.ca/listings/ ... ark/21731/

Bromley Rock is where my family always stopped for a swim and to stretch our legs when I was young. I have continued the tradition with my family whenever we go that way and now my kids love the place.

The other place my children have really enjoyed was Katherine Lake on the sunshine coast http://www.scrd.ca/index.php?page_id=344

This lake was really quiet during the week which was nice and then on the weekend many locals came to swim and relax.

Cheers, Peter

taken from another thread

[brewskie]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. We really appreciate it.

Cheers

Rob

[paddlequest]

Hey there,
We have a place just north of Courtenay and close to the Powell River ferry. We have a large property with alot of trees and you are welcome to camp out the back, sit by our campfire and use showers if you need them. You can PM me if you want directions to our place. Always welcome.
Dave