Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada

GOLD RIVER BRITISH COLUMBIA -

Travel & Tourism Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information

Gold River BC Links

Vancouver Island British Columbia

Why go to Gold River

gold river on vancouver island bc

Gold River Travel & Tourism Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information

Gold River is located on the West side of Vancouver Island at the end of scenic Highway 28, 54 miles (89kms) west of Campbell River. Visitors must first negotiated the West side of the island to Campbell River. Traveling by car from the north or south Island turn west off of Highway 19. Follow the signs through Strathcona Park, then across the bridge between the lakes.

Campbell River is situated on the east coast of central Vancouver Island and is accessible by land, sea or air. Campbell River is in the north-central island region and is within easy reach of Vancouver and Victoria on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's also accessible by regular air service from Seattle, USA, (which also has ferry service to Victoria if you wish to drive).

By Vehicle:
Campbell River is a 3.5-hour (264 km/165 mile) drive north from Victoria or a 90-minute (153 km/95 mile) drive from Nanaimo, where the ferry terminals of Departure Bay and Duke Point are located. Drive Highway #19, the new inland, four-lane expressway, or take the scenic Oceanside Route on the old Island Highway #19A. Then travel west 54 miles (89kms) to Gold River.

Village of Gold River British Columbia

gold river bc big views

Gold River BC Spectacular Views

By Bus: Island Coach Lines (Laidlaw) serves Victoria to Port Hardy, and points in between, including Campbell River. Connect to Island Coach Lines from Vancouver on Greyhound or Pacific Coach Lines.
Once you get to Campbell River you will need to rent a car to get to Gold River.

British Columbia Ferries: Anywhere in BC call: 1-888-BCFERRY Victoria and outside of BC (250) 386-3431 They will provide you with information about how to get to Vancouver Island from a variety of locations.

Air Travel

Air Nootka (www.airnootka.com) provides direct seaplane access, and many visitors to Vancouver Island fly to Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) located 30 minutes south of Campbell River, serviced by direct Westjet and Air Canada flights(www.westjet.com and www.aircanada.com). Regular commuter flights from Vancouver International Airport connect both Comox and Campbell River airports.(www.aircanada.com or www.pacific-coastal.com) Rental cars are available.

Gold River Attractions and Activities:

Explore Gold River! The region surrounding Gold River provides outdoor enthusiasts both land and sea activities and adventures. Salmon and fly fishing is world-class. Take time to view the wild life or hike or mountain bike miles of trails. Gold River is renown for excellent caving or rock climbing. Fishing tours, marine tours, kayaking, and surfing are just some of the marine experiences to experience while in Gold River. .

There are so many places to visit and things to do for people of all ages. Senior citizens might enjoy the cruise to Friendly Cove just as much as the extreme hikers that choose to test themselves on the Nootka Trail. Gold River has it all. Click here for a map of the Provincial Campgrounds near Gold River.

Picnic Sites- check locally for directions
• Peppercorn Trailhead at Muchalat Drive (Mohawk Bridge)
• Big Bend
• Lions Campground
• Tsuxwin Viewpoint
• Star Lake Recreation Area
• Antler Lake Recreation Area

Antler Lake. A crystal clear lake great with exeptional fresh water rod and reel experiences or perhaps a family picnic. Located off of East Road north of Gold River, near the river.

Captain Cook Monument. A Brass plaque was erected in 1903 to commerate the 1778 discovery of l Canada by Euopean explorers. . This monument is at the historic old Spanish fort located on Nootka Island in Yuquot which is accessible by boat.

Crest Creek Crag. Located 9 km. east of the Gold River Village on Hwy #28 by the Crest Mountain trailhead. Crive out to watch the daring mountain climberson the steep rock walls.

Crest Mountain Trail. Located 9 km. east of Gold River east on Hwy #28. The 5 km. trail climbs to over 1100 metresand provides some incredible views of the surrounding wilderness.

Big Bend Picnic Site. Situated next to the golf course, this picnic area sits along the shores of the Gold River. Located on Hwy #19 south of Gold River village.

Elk River Trail. This trail can be accessed from Hwy #28 near Drum Lakes. The trail is 11 km long and takes about 5 hours to hike. It follows the Elk River and has moderate elevations up to about 600 metres. The trail takes you to Landslide Lake and passes through lush rainforest. .

ACCOMMODATIONS: There is a variety of good accommodations in Gold River and throughout the surrounding area including bed and breakfast, vacation rentals, and camping.

Dining in Gold River:

China House, Phone: 283-7411
Chinese & Western cuisine. Happy atmosphere and good food.

Gold River Golf Club, Phone: 250-283-7266 (Pro Shop), e-mail:
Good food and good golfing.

Lucy's Cafe, formerly Manilla Grill, Phone: 250-283-7779
Serving Western and Asian Cusine suitated in the heart of the plaza.

Moe's Kitchen and Catering, Phone: 250-283-7238
Restaurant/Coffee Shop/Catering

Odika Cafe, Phone: (250) 283-9025, Fax: (250) 283-9025, E-mail:
Offering locals and visitors a variety of Global and Domestic dishes in a casual setting. Kids are welcome.
385 Nimpkish Drive, PO Box 1186, Gold River, B.C V0P 1G0

Ridge Neighbourhood Pub, Phone: 250-283-2600, E-mail
Great food and friendly service with a breathtaking panoramic view.
395 Donner Court, P.O. Box 335, Gold River, BC, Canada V0P 1G0

Uptown Cappuccino, Phone: 283-7639
Smallest shop in the universe with the best cappuccino, latté, and coffee. If you don't like them you don't pay for them! Internet access available. Right in downtown Gold River.

ACTIVITIES:

CAMPGROUND OPERATORS

Lions Campground
Phone: 250-283-7184

Muchalat Lake Campground
Phone: 250-283-7345

FISHING TOUR GUIDES & OPERATORS

Bligh Island Lodge, Phone: 250-283-7469

Bob Colquhoun/Sapphire Fishing, Phone: 250-283-2525, E-mail:

Critter Cove Marina, Phone: 250-283-7364 - E-mail

Galiano Bay Lodge, Phone: 250-283-2617,
P.O. Box 522, Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

Gotwon Fishing Charters, Phone: 250-280-7368
Boat Charters, P.O. Box 504 , Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

High Five Charters, Phone: 250-283-2339
Boat Charters, P.O. Box 1096, Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

Nootka Island Lodge, Phone: October to May (250) 752-0455, E-mail
June through September (604) 909-4155
634 Windward Way Qualicum Beach, B.C. Canada V9K 2K2

Nootka Sound Sports Fishing, Phone: 250-283-7194
P.O. Box 176
Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

Oyster Island Adventures, Phone: 250-283-7191
Boat Charters, P.O. Box 79, Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

Sportsman Fishing Adventures, Phone: 250-283-2142
Boat Charters, P.O. Box 645 , Gold River. B.C. V0P 1G0

Tuta Marina, Phone: 250-283-7550

M.V. Uchuck III, Nootka Sound Service Ltd., Phone Office: 1-250-283-2515, Uchuck III: 1-250-283-2325, Fax: 1-250-283-7582, e-mail:
P.O. Box 57, Gold River, British Columbia, VOP 1GO

The M.V. Uchuck III is a 136 foot passenger and freight vessel providing service through historic Nootka Sound, Esperanza and Kyuquot Sound. Our schedule provides day and overnight cruises through some of Vancouver Island’s most spectacular scenery.
Come and watch the day to day events of a working coastal vessel. Explore the shores and waterways of isolated inlets for a variety of wildlife, including black bears, eagles, sea otters, grey and killer whales plus much more.