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

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Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada

LADYSMITH BRITISH COLUMBIA -

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

Ladysmith BC Links

	Ladysmith Travel & Tourism Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information Ladysmith is just 89 km or 53 miles north of Victoria BC and 22 km or 14 miles south of Nanaimo. Travel through the beautiful Cowichan Valley to the seaside communityl of Ladysmith. You can get to Ladysmith by Bus (Coach) from Victoria and Nanaimo and from the BC Ferry Terminals in Nanaimo and Swartz Bay, just north of Sidney BC. Island Coach Lines Information & reservations: Ladysmith (250) 746-4841 Victoria (250) 385-4411. For a great Day trip from the Cowichan Region, BC Ferries also offers you the chance to tour some of the Gulf Islands, with services from Chemainus to Thetis Island, and from Crofton to Salt Spring Island. British Columbia Ferries Anywhere in BC call: 1-888-BCFERRY Victoria and outside of BC (250) 386-3431.
Ladysmith British Columbia

Ladysmith Marina on Vancouver Island

For transportation information for Vancouver Island please check our transportation page. You will find information about getting to Vancouver Island and travel information for getting around the Island as well. Quality Maps for sale can be found on our Maps Page. This information is constantly changing so we are connecting you directly with the service providers so you can find current information.

Air Travel to Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley
The Cassidy Airport is about a 10 minute drive north of Ladysmith. There are several daily 15 minute flights from the Vancouver Airport to Cassidy. Victoria International is the closest International Airport and is approximately a 60 minute drive from Ladysmith.

Two smaller airlines offer services right to the Cowichan Region; Hanna's Air Saltspring contact number 1-800-665-2359 and Harbour Air contact number 1-800-663-4267.

Canadian Regional / Pacific Coastal
Phone 250-245-5121(local)
1-800-663-3721(BC)
1-800-776-3000(US)

Central Mountain Air / AirBC
Phone 250-245-7123(local)
1-800-665-1177(Canada) or 1-800-426-7000(US).

Rail Travel to Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley
VIA Rail travels between Victoria and Courtenay. Stops in the Cowichan area include Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Station, Ladysmith, The BC Forest Discovery Centre, Chemainus and Ladysmith. Please check with VIA rail to ensure that this service is still running.

VIA Rail - 1-888-VIA-RAIL

Ladysmith is located right on the 49th Parallel (US Border with the rest of Canada). Ladysmith is a quaint town on the hillside overlooking spectacular Ladysmith Harbour. Ladysmith is one of the oldest communities on Vancouver Island, founded at the turn of the century. Many of the older restored buildings in the community create a definite Edwardian charm.

The community was originally a recreation and dormitory complex for miners and coal from Nanaimo was shipped from Ladysmith harbour. When James Dunsmuir, owner of the mines, received word on March 1, 1900 that the British forces had finally relieved their besieged countrymen in Ladysmith, Natal-South Africa, he decided to name his new town "Ladysmith". Many local streets are named after the British Generals who served in the Boer war.

Enjoy a stroll along 1st Avenue and see many restored historic heritage buildings evoking memories of a frontier past based on forestry and coal mining. Be sure to watch for the historic plaques placed on many of the as you stroll through town. A unique piece of art on Main Street tells the story of Ladysmith in a collage of artifacts welded together representing the various eras.

Ladysmith is surrounded by mountains, streams and lakes, and it is a great departure point for enjoying island hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and much more.

Special Events

On the BC Day long weekend you can enjoy "Dogwood Days", a celebration that includes a parade, beach activities, entertainment, BBQ'S, races, and more. September brings on the annual Fall Fair highlighting culinary and garden delights.

The Christmas season is highlighted by the annual Ladysmith Festival of Lights on the last Thursday in November. Enjoy Ladysmith's breathtaking Christmas displays. From late November and throughout December you can enjoy a number of Christmas experiences including craft shows, entertainment, a spectacular sail past with decorated water craft, a Santa Claus Parade and Coronation Mall's Moonlight Madness.

Attractions

The Black Nugget Museum, formerly the Jones Hotel will take you back into another time in the history of Ladysmith. Located on Gatacre Street, the museum is the creation of owner Kurt Guilbride, who bought the former hotel in 1972 when he was only 17. The museum contains an impressive collection of antiques and memorabilia from before and after the turn of the century. Originally built in the nearby coal-mining community of Wellington 100 years ago, the two-story hotel was moved to its present site in 1906. Memories of its heyday as a hotel are recalled by its restored barroom, which is highlighted by the original bar, polished brass foot rail, and mirror trimmed with 24-karat gold leaf. Filled with many attractions and stories of the past, the museum is open in the summer season and on group request.

For something unique try Bungy Jumping at the "Bungy Jumping Zone" just 10 minutes north of Ladysmith on the Nanaimo River.

Click here for more information, history, pictures, things to do in Ladysmith.

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Ladysmith & the Cowichan Valley Temperature

Temperature: Nurtured by the highest mean temperatures in Canada,