Feel the excitement build as you plane descends into Vancouver Airport; your Canadian adventure starts here! On arrival, make your way to your chosen Vancouver hotel, for a two night stay before picking up your motorhome.

There is so much to see in Vancouver! Head to Stanley Park for a stroll along its famous sea wall and though temperature West Coast rainforest. Take an Aquabus to Granville Island to browse the markets, popular with locals and visitors alike, or, hop on the shuttle bus to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, to walk through the tree tops and see the iconic totem poles.

Your chosen Vancouver hotel

After collecting your motorhome this morning, head to Vancouver (Tsawwassen) Ferry Terminal, south of the city. The drive shouldn’t take more than two hours but please do leave plenty of time to get there in case you meet any traffic.

There is a café and other amenities on board the ferry, however we recommend finding a seat on the outside deck to breath in the crisp ocean air and enjoy scenic views of the Gulf Islands as you sail towards Swartz Bay. After docking, drive south towards Victoria to check into your RV park for the next two nights.

You have the evening and whole next day to explore Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It’s a picturesque city, with historic streets, charming cafes and excellent seafood restaurants. You could visit Royal BC Museum or Craigdarroch Castle, or just outside the city, the internationally acclaimed Butchart Gardens.

Vancouver > Victoria | 100 kms

Today you head into the Highlands, composed of volcanic rock covered by 400 year old Douglas fir trees that in colonial days were common all around Victoria. The Malahat Summit provides a number of stunning vantage points for viewing the Saanich Inlet, a backwards fjord, facing into the direction of the glacial flow, and on a fine day the mountains of Washington State in the USA.

Still heading north and overlooking the Straights of Georgia, at Rosewell Creek you may want to turn off Highway 19 onto 19a, to drive through some of the coastal areas, until you reach Campbell River.

Victoria > Campbell River | 290 kms

From Campbell River, continue along the coast before leaving the highway and heading to Beaver Cove and Telegraph Cove, where we suggest you stay for the next two nights as it’s a great base to explore Port Hardy and the northern most tip of Vancouver Island.

Port Hardy is ‘where the highway ends, and adventure begins’. You could join a whale watching tour for a chance to see orcas, humpback whales, sea otters and Dall’s porpoises, as well as bald eagles overhead. In Cape Scott Provincial Park there are numerous hiking trails, several that drop down to its pristine beaches from where seals and sealions can often be spotted frolicking offshore.

Campbell River > Port Hardy | 315 kms

You’ll be returning back the way you came today, so if you missed anything on the way north, you have another opportunity to stop. Provincial Parks en route include Morton Lake, Elk Falls and Miracle Beach. For much of the way between Courtenay and Campbell River, the Island Highway runs beside Qualicum Bay, an area rich in seafood. Stops beside the road give easy access to the bay’s sand and pebble beaches and at several places you can buy fresh seafood, brought to the docks daily from the local waters.

Port Hardy > Qualicum Bay | 300 kms

It’s only a short drive today to reach Vancouver Island’s second city. Nanaimo offers natural beauty at every turn, thanks to its location between Mount Benson and the Strait of Georgia. The thriving local arts and music scene has something happening every day. History buffs will enjoy walking through Nanaimo’s winding downtown and checking out historic buildings, many of which have been transformed into charming shops, restaurants and museums. There are also abundant opportunities for shopping but, for the more energetic, there’s also bungy jumping, rock climbing and much more.

Qualicum Bay > Nanaimo | 90 kms

It’s time to head back to the mainland today. The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal is just a short drive, but it is highly recommended to book your crossing in advance to reserve a place on the boat.

The journey takes around two hours so sit back and relax as you make you way across, with any luck you might get some wildlife sightings along the way. Then head to your RV park near Vancouver, for your last night in your motorhome.

Nanaimo > Vancouver | 80 kms

This morning, return your motorhome to the depot before making your way to the airport for your flight home.