Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast Motorhome Tour

Day 1 - UK to Vancouver

Arrive in Vancouver making your way to your Vancouver hotel.

It’s recommended to have one night before collecting your RV after coming off an international flight, to ensure your are fully rested before you begin your road trip.

Day 2 - Vancouver to Victoria (115km)

Today depart Vancouver and begin your travels to Victoria the capital of British Columbia!

The Tsawwassen Ferry to Swartz Bay is the best choice for reaching Victoria quickly. The ferry ride is about two hours long. If the weather is fair, there is nothing better than to stand out on deck while navigating the narrow passages between the Gulf Islands. You enter a very narrow channel with a close view of Galiano Island on the north and Mayne Island on the south side, coming out on the south-west side of Salt Spring Island and winding your way toward Swartz Bay.  As you approach the Bay, the island on the south side of the ferry is Pender Island. The islands offer a slower pace of life. There are small farms, acreages, and summer cottages. As well, many well-known artists make the Gulf Islands their home.

After departing the ferry making your way to the campground, where you will stay for the next 2 nights.

Day 3 - Explore Victoria

Enjoy a full day exploring Victoria, this city is full of amazing attractions to visit we have included a few recommendations. 

Start your day by visiting Butchart Gardens. While in the area, Victoria Butterfly Gardens offers your only opportunity to experience the warmth, beauty and romance of a tropical jungle without going to the tropics. Drive into Victoria and spend the next two days wandering in old downtown and the waterfront.  See the Parliament Buildings and have high tea at the Empress Hotel.  Close by is the Royal BC Museum and IMAX Theatre.  If you enjoy historic houses, take an easy eight-minute drive from Victoria's inner harbour, up Fort Street, right on Joan Crescent to visit Craigdarroch Castle.

Alternatively you can walk there from the inner harbour, up Fort Street, along Antique Row - stopping at various interesting shops and sights.  Turn right on Joan Crescent and it's a two-minute walk to the entrance.  Craigdarroch Castle was built between 1887 and 1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. This Victorian mansion, overlooking the City of Victoria, announced to the world that he was the richest and most important man in Western Canada.

Day 4 - Victoria to Nanaimo (111km)

Today depart Victoria traveling along Vancouver Island’s coastline to Nanaimo. Expect the unexpected on your drive north to Nanaimo. There is such a variety of scenery with every bend in the road, from thick forest to small towns, and spectacular views of the Gulf Islands that are sprinkled throughout the Strait of Georgia. On your way up the Trans-Canada Highway, Bamberton Provincial Park is a worthwhile stop for a scenic break. Duncan, nestled in the Cowichan Valley, is also an interesting stop. The Lumber Mill Museum is worth a look. Duncan is known as the “City of Totems”.  In the downtown area, you will find a historic totem pole walking tour. This island town also gives you access to mountain biking and hiking trails, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

Arriving at your RV camp for your 2-night stay.

Day 5 - Explore Nanaimo

Spend the full day exploring Nanaimo this part of Vancouver Island is filled with sandy beaches and landscaped by the waters of Strait of Georgia. The city of Nanaimo is filled with history, culture, adventure and amazing scenery combine to make the Nanaimo-Parksville region a magnet for visitors who revel in the many sea to sky attractions available year-round. It’s an unparalleled outdoor playground, opening the door on 360 degrees of adventure, from biking and hiking to water sports and exploring.

Beach communities line the western shores of the Strait of Georgia, stretching from Nanaimo thru Nanoose Bay to Parksville, Qualicum Beach and beyond. From mid July to mid August, Parksville hosts a sandcastle-building competition dubbed as “Parksville Beachfest”. It’s the only world championship sand sculpting official qualification event in Canada. Nearby Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is an important stopover area for migratory birds providing birders with opportunities to sight many different species.

Day 6 - Nanaimo to Tofino (206km)

Branching off the Trans Canada Highway onto Highway 4, just north of Nanaimo, you will be on your way to Port Alberni and Tofino.  For another scenic break, you may want to stop in either Little Qualicum Falls, McMillan or Sproat Lake Provincial Parks. These provincial parks are further inland and have a different feel from those that border the ocean front. You are getting into mountainous and forested terrain at this point and there is more wildlife viewing potential. Begin looking for cougar tracks here. It is not recommended to walk too far on your own; traveling in larger groups is advisable. Vancouver Island has a high concentration of cougar populations, although confrontations are very rare.  Stop in Coombes to see the goats that graze on the roof of a local establishment, and stop at Cathedral Grove, near Port Alberni.  Walk among huge old-growth rain forest with trees up to two to three metres thick.

From Port Alberni to Tofino, the highway narrows. Traffic usually slows down somewhat through this section to accommodate the winding, mountainous terrain. For this reason, it is wise to build extra time into your schedule to make your drive less pressured.

Day 7 - Explore Tofino

Tofino is surrounded by forests giving this area a unique natural beauty which is recognised by UNESCO. There is lots to explore around Tofino this is some of our recommendations. Whale watching tours are one possibility that cover much of the calendar year travelling out in zodiacs or in larger power boats, cutting the motor when they are close and never getting too close to infringe on whale movements. Or enjoy travelling along the beach front when the tide is in for bears where bears go to forage for food. If your looking for something more adventurous enjoy sea kayaking along the coastline.

Day 8 - Tofino

Another full day to explore Tofino.

Day 9 - Tofino to Parksville (170km)

Your journey today takes you from west of Vancouver Island back to the east to Parksville. Enjoy exploring the coastline in the golden sand beaches or enjoy going for a hike.

Day 10 - Parksville to Campbell River (120km)

Travel today from Parksville to the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ Campbell River. This town gets it name from the river which is located on the northern edge of town. Enjoy some fishing for some of the local salmon as well as tasting some too.

Day 11 - Explore Campbell River

Enjoy exploring the beauty of Parksville we recommend visiting Discovery Pier and keep an eye out for spotting local wildlife including eagles and whales. Or enjoy exploring the natural wonders of Parksville including Elk Falls Provincial Park.

Day 12 - Campbell River to Lund (110km)

Drive along to Little River ferry terminal for the journey across to Powell River before traveling north up to Lund. This picturesque seaside village is located on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Lund has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy we recommend exploring the local hiking trails including Sunshine Coast Trail or Hurtado Point Trail or enjoy some sea kayaking at the nearby Copeland Islands.

Day 13 - Explore Lund

A full day to explore Lund and the surrounding area.

Day 14 - Lund to Sechelt/Gibson (130km)

Lund today is a hub of coastal activity. Its harbour is home to a fleet of commercial prawn boats, sail boats, recreational motor vessel and water taxi services which delivery people and goods to Savary Island, known for it's white sandy beaches. Returning to Sechelt down the Sunshine Coast will take about three hours. When you return to the Sechelt region, take Brooks Road eastward (approximately 16 km northwest of Sechelt off Highway 101/Sunshine Coast Highway) to Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park. To access the park you will park in the lot and walk the four km in to the park. The park is a gorgeous, all-weather anchorage on the south side of the Sechelt Peninsula where you can see the work from its resident beavers. Other residents in the wetland include various species of birds, fauna and flora.

As you leave Smuggler Cove and make your way into Sechelt, head north on Wharf Avenue to East Porpoise Bay Road (which becomes Sechelt Inlet Road) to Porpoise Bay Provincial Park. The park is noted as a second-growth forest of alder, western hemlock, western cedar, Douglas fir and maple trees. There is also a spawning channel area for chum and coho salmon and an estuary that hosts numerous types of shore birds. It's a relaxing, beautiful way to spend your afternoon in the Sechelt area.

On your drive from Lund to Sechelt you will take the BC Ferry from Saltery Bay from Earls Cove. 

Day 15 - Explore Sechelt

You have an entire day you can devote to relaxing in the area. Sechelt is one of two larger towns on the Sunshine Coast and is home to 9,500 residents. The compact downtown zone has local coffee shops, art galleries, bakeries, a First Nations gift store (with art by local First Nations artists), a beer & wine store (BC has some exceptional wineries and craft breweries), gelatoria and a movie theatre that shows first-run movies and cinematique films.

In West Sechelt you will find the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden - about a 10 minute drive from downtown Sechelt. The Sunshine Coast Botanical Society began in 2002. Between 2003 and 2013, they sourced the land that was to become the permanent home and created the Native Plant Garden then in 2005 the Seaside Centre garden was established. Basic infrastructure was put in place between 2009 and 2010 and the gardens have since flourished under the careful maintenance of volunteers. Thousands of visitors attend the Garden each year taking in the beauty of the gardens, special events and workshops.

Day 16 - Sechelt to Vancouver (66.6km)

In the morning enjoy some more time exploring Sechelt before departing to Vancouver. Taking the BC Ferry from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, continuing down to Burnaby for your overnight stay before your onward flight the following day. 

Day 17 - Vancouver to UK

This morning return your motorhome to the depot before making your way to the airport for your onward flight home.