Oct 17 - Oct 23, 2026

Vancouver Island

Road Trip · 7 days · Car

About this trip

A 7‑day car itinerary across Vancouver Island packed with hikes, waterfalls, coastal drives, wildlife tours and vibrant food stops, designed for active friends seeking thrills and recovery moments.

32Stops
7Days
CarTransport
Moderate budgetFriends
Trip Summary
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Trip Summary
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Trip Summary 2
Trip Summary 3
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Trip Summary 5

About this trip

Embark on a 7-day road trip from Butchart Gardens through Nanaimo Harbourfront, Port Alberni, Long Beach to Victoria International Airport and 2 more stops. This itinerary is designed for friends travelling together, with a mid-range budget, with a mix of adventure, so you can feel like you're travelling with a local rather than following a tour bus timetable. You'll keep an active rhythm, packing in more movement and discovery each day while still keeping the transfers believable for the way this trip is meant to unfold. Think of this as a ready-made framework rather than a script: each day suggests a clear path and one or two anchor experiences, but always leaves room for spontaneous detours, extra coffee stops, and the kind of small discoveries that make trips feel personal. Active route with hikes, water or mountain experiences, scenic drives, safety notes, and earned recovery stops.

Trip schedule

Day 1
🎯ActivityMorningCulturalDon't miss
Royal BC MuseumButchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada

Explore BC’s history and indigenous art in a striking heritage building.

Royal BC Museum
Day 1
🎯ActivityAfternoonDon't miss
Butchart GardensButchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada

World‑renowned floral displays set against ocean‑view terraces.

Butchart Gardens
Day 2
🎯ActivityMorningOutdoorDon't miss
Goldstream Provincial ParkNanaimo Harbourfront, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Hike to Goldstream Falls and spot salmon in spawning season.

Goldstream Provincial Park
Day 2
Free🎯ActivityAfternoonDon't miss
Nanaimo Harbourfront, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Nanaimo Harbourfront Walkway
Day 3
$10 CAD🎯ActivityMorningOutdoorDon't miss
Port Alberni, BC, Canada
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Day 3
Free🎯ActivityAfternoonOutdoorDon't miss
Port Alberni, BC, Canada
Mount Arrowsmith Provincial Park
Day 4
$12 CAD🎯ActivityMorningFamily-friendly
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino, BC, Canada
Ucluelet Aquarium
Day 4
Free🎯ActivityMorningOutdoor
Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tofino, BC, Canada
Wild Pacific Trail – Nootka Point

Complete Route

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Trip Overview

Total Days7
Activities32
Meals9
Locations7
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