Local Attractions
Cathedral Grove: Visit an old-growth forest with trees that began their lives before Columbus arrived in 1492. Easily accessible: Drive west on Highway 4A – access is right off the highway! Click here for Cathedral Grove information
Play a round of golf (or two): Vancouver Island’s golf courses are beautiful and accessible, and the Parksville / Qualicum Beach area is home to two of BC’s top 100 golf courses. Click here for golf course information
Unwind at a spa: Parksville is home to several spas including The Grotto at Tigh-na-Mara, voted Canada’s best spa by Spas of America. Don’t miss this chance to pamper yourself! Click here for spa links
Enjoy Live Music: Live music abounds on Vancouver Island! From live bands in the local pubs to a dedicated live music lounge, your ears are in for a treat. Click here for music and lounge links, or check your favourite pub for its live-music schedule.
Walk miles of beaches: Qualicum Beach’s waterfront is fully accessible from BC Highway 19A. Parksville offers sweeping bay access at the Community Park downtown (take Highway 19A to Corfield Street or Beachside Drive) as well as the unspoiled Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park (take the Resort Drive exit off Highway 19A, turn west on Resort Drive, and take an immediate right-hand turn onto Rathtrevor Road).
Wine, craft beer, and spirits: Parksville area is home to several micro-breweries and wineries. Click here for more information
Visit quaint Qualicum Beach: Qualicum Beach is a haven of one-of-a-kind boutiques – no chain stores are allowed! Walking its quaint streets, you may recognize some of the scenery: Qualicum Beach also serves as the set for the popular TV series Chesapeake Shores.
See the local wildlife: North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre lets you get close to animals you rarely glimpse in the wild. Click here for information
Choose your outdoor adventure: Sport-fishing charters? Whale-watching excursions? Hiking, biking, bird-watching, or even spelunking? Whatever outdoor adventure your heart desires, you’ll find it here on Vancouver Island. Click here for outdoor adventures
Food, food, food: From food trucks featuring everything from tacos to Texas BBQ; to fine dining; to specialty restaurants offering crêpes to schnitzel to artisan farm-to-table experiences: Parksville / Qualicum is the place to eat! Click here for restaurant listings
Art galleries and artisans: Glass-blowing, pottery, fine art, antiques, and so much more! Parksville / Qualicum Beach is a mecca for artisans and artists. Click here for more information
Enjoy a quirky shopping experience with Goats On The Roof: Coombs Old Country Market features local products and fresh produce, a huge selection of ice cream and other goodies, restaurants, boutiques, and yes, goats on the grassy roof, too! Click here for information and directions
There’s so much to see and do on Vancouver Island!
Click here for Parksville TripAdvisor
Click here for Qualicum Beach TripAdvisor
Click here for Port Alberni TripAdvisor
Click here for Tofino TripAdvisor
Click here for Ucluelet TripAdvisor
Click here for Nanaimo TripAdvisor
Click here for Comox/Courtenay TripAdvisor
Click here for Victoria TripAdvisor
To get paper copies of visitor guides, visit the Parksville Visitor Centre at 1275 East Island Highway, Parksville; or drop into any gas station.
