Page 260 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

258  P A CIFIC NOR THWEST REGION B Y REGION

2 Butchart Gardens 3 Cowichan Region Centre, with a replica logging
camp and steam train rides.
800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, Vancouver Island. n 2896 Drinkwater
Vancouver Island. Tel (250) 652-4422. Rd, Duncan, (250) 746-4636. ( Sat. Nearby, the Quw’utsun’ Cultural
Open 9am daily; closing hrs vary ∑ tourismcowichan.com and Conference Centre shares
by season. & 7 - 0 = the heritage of the Cowichan
∑ butchartgardens.com Cowichan region, on the south- tribes through tours and events.
central coast of Vancouver Island, A short drive from Duncan
These beautiful botanical consists of the Chemainus and is the Raptors Birds of Prey
gardens were established in Cowichan Valleys. Cowichan Centre, where visitors can learn
1904 by Jennie Butchart, in the means “warm land” in the about a variety of birds such as
excavated quarry left behind by dialect of the Cowichan people. hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles.
her husband’s cement company. The main fresh water lake on
The site, home to thousands the island, Lake Cowichan offers E BC Forest Discovery Centre
of rare plants, is arranged into great opportunities for hiking, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan. Tel (250)
distinct areas, including a formal swimming, canoeing, cycling, 715-1113. Open Apr & May: 10am–4pm
Italian garden, a Japanese whale-watching, and fishing. Thu–Mon; Jun–Aug: 10am–4:30pm
garden, and a lovely rose Duncan, “City of Totems,” has daily; Sep–mid-Oct: 10am–4pm daily.
garden. There are also fountains, around 38 magnificent totem Closed mid-Oct–Mar. & 7 - =
ponds, bronze statues, a boat poles throughout the city. The ∑ bcforestdiscoverycentre.com
tour, and a carousel. In summer, Duncan Farmer’s Market, held E Quw’utsun’ Cultural and
the gardens are illuminated in Market Square every Saturday Conference Centre
and play host to a variety of until 2pm, sells local fruits and 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan. Tel (250)
musical entertainments in the vegetables, and a variety of 746-8119. Open Jun–mid-Sep: 10am–
evening. Fireworks displays are homemade goods. 4:30pm; mid-Sep–May: for groups of
held on Saturday nights in July On the northern outskirts of the 25 only when pre-booked. 7 - =
and August. city lies the BC Forest Discovery ∑ khowutzun.com/qccc

7 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada

Three distinct areas make up this reserve: Long Beach, the
West Coast Trail, and the Broken Group Islands. Together they
occupy an 80-mile (130-km) strip of Vancouver Island’s west
coast. The park is a world-famous area for whale-watching.
Long Beach offers a range of hiking trails. The most
challenging hike is the 46-mile (75-km) West Coast Trail,
accessible from The Broken Group Islands
May to September. This archipelago of some 100
The Broken Group Tofino islands and islets is popular
with kayakers and scuba divers.
Islands can be
reached by
boat only. Long Beach

Port Albion
Schooner Trail is one The Wickaninnish Ucluelet
of nine scenic and Centre has viewing
easy-to-follow trails platforms for
through the coastal whale-watching. Bamfield
temperate rainforest.
Long Beach
The rugged, windswept
sands of Long Beach
are renowned for their
wild beauty, with
crashing Pacific rollers,
unbeatable surfing
opportunities, rock pools
filled with marine life,
and scattered driftwood.
For hotels and restaurants see pp290–91 and pp304–5

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