Yes, Tofino was pretty high on the list of places to visit on Vancouver Island, but we couldn't squeeze any time for it. H&G, thanks for the tip about the restaurant at Abigail's - we were wondering where to eat that night, so looks like we are staying in :) For sure we would love to catch you in Victoria so keep a look out for 2 Aussies!

Ozzis, fabulous plans! You will be enthralled, for sure. Sounds like you did great research and have packaged an excellent adventure.

Hope to connect! If not in Victoria, on the ship, room 2705. In Victoria try 250-479-1171.

Susan and Laureen (celebrating our 20th this year - hence 2 Olivia trips!)

Also the restaurant in Abigails is one of my favourites.  h

Great suggestions from the Victoria locals.  It is a lovely city and just fun to wander around and look into the nooks and crannies.  Neat shops and restaurants.

Next time instead of the Rocky Mtn, you could do an Island tour.  Tofino is to die for............as is the far north of the Island.

Look forward to meeting you on board.

Heather and Georgette

The train through the Rockies is a magnificant trip.

Thanks for the reply, SKitH. Yes, we are doing the Ultimate Day Tour and can re-join the group on Sunday by catching bus again from Inner Harbour in Victoria around 1pm-3pm to Butchart Gardens then catching return boat at the dock there at 5pm. We are going "upmarket" and staying at Abigail's on Sat. night because that is our 3yr anniversary, so something to celebrate!.

Thanks for the ideas about things to do in Victoria. I was thinking that we probably didn't have enough time to visit Nainamo or Tofino, so unfortunately we will have to miss out on those.

Would love to catch up with you girls and "meet the locals"! That would be wonderful, we'll keep in contact as we get closer. We are leaving Australia in 3 days' time and heading to Calgary for the Rocky Mountaineer tour into Vancouver - very excited about seeing your beautiful country!

Hi, ozzis: Never  having been a tourist on Vancouver Island, just born, raised and now live here again, I had no idea that such a tour was available. Thanks for pointing it out. I am assuming that the tour company allows you to "re-join" the following day as their website just talks about an Ultimate Day tour from Vancouver and back.

So, what to say....I think you can easily occupy yourselves in and around the Victoria and the inner harbour where Prince of Whales docks, for the remainder of your first day and possibly for the morning of your second. Looks like you have to board your shuttle to Butchart Gardens (14 miles north of Victoria) from the inner harbour so, unless you have a car, I don't think there is enough time to do much else. 

You could visit the Empress Hotel for high tea and see Parliament Buildings in the Inner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum is nearby. You could tour Canada’s oldest Chinatown, visit the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Helmcken House, Emily Carr House or Craigdarroch Castle. You could take a Tally-Ho horse-drawn carriage tour through Beacon Hill Park or double-decker bus tour around the city.

Note that Vancouver Island is the largest Pacific island east of New Zealand and is 460 kilometres (290 mi) in length and Victoria is at the bottom end and is the largest city on the island. Nanaimo, where H.& G. live is about 90 km/60 miles north of Victoria, is the second largest city. You could easily spend a week exploring the island - maybe on your next trip!

I am happy that you are able to come to Ye Olde Victoria - the "British" part of British Columbia. Maybe we can connect for a coffee...we live about 10 minutes from the harbour. 

I have been reading previous posts about Vancouver Island and your info has convinced Leanne & I to come over for a visit. We take a Prince of Whales tour over on Sat 1st Sept, and arrive 1pm in Victoria. We have accommodation booked in Victoria for the night, but we have that afternoon & next day to explore/do tours. What would you Island inhabitants recommend? Butchart Gardens is definitely on the list, and we leave on Sunday from the Gardens dock about 5pm to head back to Vancouver. Thanks in advance, and you all do a fabulous job of "selling" your island!