Travel

Parksville

Discover Parksville and Qualicum Beach

An authentic Island experience

  • Apr 22, 2020
A community of 1,396, Galiano Island saw an estimated 80,200 visitors in 2007 (John McKinley file)

Galiano Island’s ecological footprint swells from tourism: study

Community’s footprint ‘much larger’ than other B.C. locales

Q Burger in Qualicum Beach was recently named one of Canadas Top 5 burgers by ‘Canadian Living’ magazine. Pictured here is Erin Munroe, owner and operations manager. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Vancouver Island restaurant hailed for having one of Canada’s best burgers

Q Burger owner pleasantly surprised by Top 5 kudos from readers

Mike, the bartending dog, in Bowser, B.C., on central Vancouver Island. Vancouver archives

Vancouver Island town plans celebration for Mike, B.C.’s famous bartending dog

Pooch became a small-town Vancouver Island sensation in the ’30s and ’40s for his tavern exploits

Bears under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (Michael Briones photo)

Wildlife recovery centre in Errington celebrates release of 6 bears back into wild

2 new bruins also taken in for rehabilitation

Bears under the care of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (Michael Briones photo)
Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo

Let Outdoors West be your guide to the great outdoors this summer!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

Mark Pavesic reels in a small mouth bass from Elk Lake, near Victoria, BC. Kelsey Pavesic photo
Parksville Beach Festival Society has unveiled a list of sculptors who will compete in the first event since 2019. The festival runs from July 14 to July 17 and is open to the public on July 15. (File photo)

World invited back to Parksville beach as sandcastles poised to make a return

Parksville Beach Festival Society unveils sand sculptor list for 2022

Parksville Beach Festival Society has unveiled a list of sculptors who will compete in the first event since 2019. The festival runs from July 14 to July 17 and is open to the public on July 15. (File photo)
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre staff member Andrew Cotton displays the eagle he is about to release into the wild at Little Mountain in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)

VIDEO: Rehabilitated eagle released back into the wild near Errington

Wildlife centre staff honoured to set majestic bird free

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre staff member Andrew Cotton displays the eagle he is about to release into the wild at Little Mountain in Errington. (Michael Briones photo)
From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter with Outdoors West!

Magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s natural spaces

From hunting and ice fishing to snowshoeing and hiking, this new must-read guide from Black Press Media and WestCoastTraveller.com will inspire plenty of winter pursuits.
The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo

Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

The top spots for fall fish viewing, from Goldstream to Campbell River

The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo
2018’s first-place winner in the sand-sculpting solo division was Peter Vogelaar’s ‘Hendrix Live - Wild Thing’. (Photo courtesy Parksville Beach Festival)

Parksville Beach Festival expected to return in 2022

Event typically attracts visitor count of 125,000 during five-week period

2018’s first-place winner in the sand-sculpting solo division was Peter Vogelaar’s ‘Hendrix Live - Wild Thing’. (Photo courtesy Parksville Beach Festival)
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

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

Sip and savour: Artisanal beers abound on Vancouver Island

When it comes to voting for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery…

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

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