|
Barely a stone's throw offshore from Nanaimo lies Newcastle Island , and beyond it the larger bulk of Gabriola Island , both incongruously graced with palm trees: they're beneficiaries of what is supposedly Canada's mildest climate. Ferries make the crossing every hour on the hour (10am-9pm; foot passengers $5 return, cars $12.75) from Maffeo Sutton Park (the wharf behind the Civic Arena) to Newcastle Island Provincial Park , which has a fine stretch of sand, tame wildlife, no cars, and lots of walking and picnic possibilities. It'll take a couple of hours to walk the 7.5-kilometre trail that encircles the island. There are about fifteen daily crossings to Gabriola Island (20min), a much quieter place that's home to about 2000 people, many of them artists and writers. Author Malcolm Lowry, he of Under the Volcano fame, immortalized the island in a story entitled October Ferry to Gabriola Island (characters in the tale never actually reach the island). Gabriola also offers several beaches - the best are Gabriola Sands' Twin Beaches at the island's northwest end and Drumbeg Provincial Park - and lots of scope for scuba diving, bird-watching (eagles and sea birds), beachcombing and easy walking, plus the added curiosity of the Malaspina Galleries , a series of caves and bluffs near Gabriola Sands sculpted by wind, frost and surf. Both islands have numerous B&Bs and several campsites , though if you're thinking of staying the night it's as well to check first with the Nanaimo infocentre. You can buy snacks on Newcastle from various concessions, notably the newly restored 1931 Pavilion building, but if you're camping take supplies with you.
Your Tip for Newcastle and Gabriola islands
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Newcastle and Gabriola islands - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Newcastle and Gabriola islands - visit the main Newcastle and Gabriola islands forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Newcastle and Gabriola islands webguide section below! Thanks.
|
