Travel

Parksville

Discover Parksville and Qualicum Beach

An authentic Island experience

  • Apr 22, 2020
The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO, respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lament, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)

Wilson 5 Foundation donates $6M to rehabilitate Vancouver Island’s Englishman River

Largest land conservancy gift made by the foundation to date will re-naturalize Parksville estuary

Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich, just outside Victoria. Photo courtesy BC Ale Trail

Sip and savour: Artisanal beers abound on Vancouver Island

Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.

Online gift, gear and getaway auction boosts BC fish and wildlife conservation

B.C. Wildlife Federation online auction supports conservation projects across the province

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.

Head outdoors this summer with Outdoors West!

New magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s great outdoors

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.
Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.

Which BC brewery do you think offers the best overall experience?

Voting is underway for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award

Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.
A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell

PHOTOS: Humpbacks put on a show for visitors to Vancouver Island

Whale watching tour leaves participants in awe

A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell
A non-slip mat has been installed at the open beach access in the waterfront in Qualicum Beach to allow people with mobility issues to access the sandy areas. (Town of Qualicum Beach photo)

‘Mobi-mat’ offers people with mobility issues access to sandy areas on Qualicum waterfront

Town initiative inspired by similar installation in Saanich

A non-slip mat has been installed at the open beach access in the waterfront in Qualicum Beach to allow people with mobility issues to access the sandy areas. (Town of Qualicum Beach photo)
Jeanine Siemens and Paul Trudeau are offering tours on e-bikes in Parksville Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)

E-bike enthusiasts can now tour the Parksville Qualicum Beach region

Fleet of bikes used for tours

Jeanine Siemens and Paul Trudeau are offering tours on e-bikes in Parksville Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)
Big Catch

Enter to WIN a family fishing adventure in Ucluelet

Share your favourite fishing photos to enter

Big Catch
Capture Summer Photo Contest

Photo Contest: How will you Capture Summer?

Share photos of your summer adventures to be entered to win up to $250 in grocery gift cards

Capture Summer Photo Contest
Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Day-use pass initiative for 5 busy BC parks to address safety, protect environment

The second phase of its free day-use pass pilot program rolls out June 22 in five provincial parks

Day-use passes for specific trails within Stawamus Chief and Garibaldi parks along the Sea-to-Sky corridor will be among the measures to address the surge in visitors while protecting the environment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Metro Creative photo)

Youth summer fishing challenge: Go fishing, take a photo, then enter to win!

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s contest returns this summer

(Metro Creative photo)
B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.

BC’s Family Fishing Weekend returns June 18 to 20

Get ready with a free Family Fishing Webinar Series June 12

B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.
As of April 23, B.C. residents will not be able to book accommodations or a camping site outside of their local health region, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Whistler BC, by Courtney & Colin Adams. Amateur Photographer of the Year entry

Camping close to home still permitted under B.C. travel ban: Dr. Henry

People will not be able to book a campsite outside of their health region – although Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health are being treated as one zone

As of April 23, B.C. residents will not be able to book accommodations or a camping site outside of their local health region, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Whistler BC, by Courtney & Colin Adams. Amateur Photographer of the Year entry
Now anglers can use what Davies describes as a quick and convenient electronic method to record their catch, under NRLS.

New digital recording tool available for fishing licence sales in B.C.

Anglers can now use an online system to take note of fish they have caught, as per DFO rules

  • Apr 3, 2021
Now anglers can use what Davies describes as a quick and convenient electronic method to record their catch, under NRLS.
A bald eagle, rehabilitated at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, has been released into the wild. (NIWRA screen cap)

WATCH: North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre releases bald eagle into the wild

Annual event in Errington held virtually due to COVID-19

A bald eagle, rehabilitated at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, has been released into the wild. (NIWRA screen cap)
The virtual 2021 BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference meets virtually March 8 to 12.

B.C. tourism sector targets ‘Mission Possible’ during virtual conference

Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association co-host conference March 8 to 12

The virtual 2021 BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference meets virtually March 8 to 12.
Westwood Lake is one of a number of popular Nanaimo fihing holes recently stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery.

There are fresh fish to catch in Nanaimo’s lakes

Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery released thousands of catchable-size rainbow trout this week

Westwood Lake is one of a number of popular Nanaimo fihing holes recently stocked with catchable-size rainbow trout from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery.
Eric Hjorliefson, Mark Abma and Chris Rubens climb for their powder on Mount Cain. Matchstick Productions image.

VIDEO: New Mt. Cain ski documentary eye-candy for powder lovers

A freeskiing documentary set at Vancouver Island’s Mount Cain is making waves…

Eric Hjorliefson, Mark Abma and Chris Rubens climb for their powder on Mount Cain. Matchstick Productions image.