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Sign in with FacebookLatest Port Alberni hotel reviews
Viewpoint out over Sproat Lake
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progressAs you approach Sproat Lake from Tofino and Ucluelet in the south, there's a signpost for a viewpoint out over Sproat Lake. From the road, there is no well defined path to follow, so you'll end up doing some scrambling and a little bush bashing in order to...
Home to the Martin Mars water bombers
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)Float planes are so much part of the British Columbian landscape that I didn't register at first that there was anything unusual about the red and white planes moored on Sproat Lake. Until I realised that it was in fact massive and the only reason why this...
A town that's a very counterintuitive tsunami risk
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)My first impression of Port Alberni was one of astonishment - how could a settlement 40km inland from the coast display a 'tsunami risk' signboard on the town limits? But despite my double take, there it still was, so I made a mental note to raise the issue...
Port Alberni's fantastic salmon fountain
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)It's no secret that I'm a great fan of municipal sculpture, especially when it reflects the historical or cultural context of its location, so it's unsurprising that I fell in love with the salmon fountain at the Harbour Quay in Port Alberni.Salmon have...
The salmon 'ladder' at Stamp River Falls
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)It's almost impossible to overstate the significance of salmon to the culture and economy of British Columbia: in 2011, the salmon fishing industry directly contributed C$30 million to the B.C. economy, which translated to a post processing value in excess...
Glorious fall colour at Sproat Lake
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)We visited Vancouver Island in mid October. The timing was dictated by business commitments rather than choice, but one of the attractions was the hope that we would experience some of the Fall colours.In this regard, our experience was a little...
Port Alberni's bright and breezy Harbour Quay
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)The obvious place for tourists to begin their visit to Port Alberni is to head for the Harbour Quay, which is located at the end of Argyle Street, abutting Alberni Inlet. It overlooks a working harbour, which counterintuitively is a salt water port, linking...
Some people get REALLY into Halloween!
CatherineReichardt Says: (work in progress)For me, Halloween is the quintessential North American festival, and for this reason, I particularly enjoy visiting in the late autumn so that I can enjoy the preparations, if not the celebrations themselves.But there's enthusiasm, and then there'll...
74 Opinions
1 Review and 105 Opinions I have not stayed at the Hospitality Inn but I have worked there and now sometimes eat in their well...
Canvas Cup is now closed.: Coffee and sandwich shop
canuck68 Says: This coffee shop is unique. The menu is varied and delicious. The atmosphere has been carefully created and the lattes the best. The Canvas Cup showcases local artists and the walls are lined with art which make great conversation pieces. The menu boasts many different kinds...
Pescadores: Great Food In or Out
canuck68 Says: This is a steak and seafood bistro which has become very popular. It is situated just off the main road (Johnson) at the bottom, and just at the turn off for points west.It is possible to sit on the patio which affords a view of the Somass River. I was impressed with the...
Boston Pizza: Good Food..Great Menu
canuck68 Says: I have been here several times and never been disappointed. The menu boasts a wide variety of dishes both for lunch and dinner.The ambience is friendly and relaxed and very much family orientated. Children are welcomed and are given crayons and something to color. This plus...
Waters Edge Restaurant is currently closed: We Wait and See.
canuck68 Says: This restaurant is a pub style restaurant. It is situated right on the edge of the Alberni Canal so affords a wonderful view. The restaurant is fairly spacious and there is a deck outside overlooking the canal where your meal can be enjoyed on a nice day. The restaurant has...
Helpfulness
Tofino Bus Lines
The Tofino Bus Lines offer an excellent bus service from Nanaimo (where you would exit the B.C. Ferries from the B.C. Mainland) to Port Alberni and on through to Tofino.
The buses are modern, large and comfortable. Large windows offer the tourist great views of the Island scenery highlights which are Cameron Lake and Cathedral Grove when riding from Nanaimo to Port Alberni.
I have used this service and can personally attest that the drivers are very courteous, able and willing to go that 'extra mile'.
Written Feb 13, 2008
Phone: 1-866-986-3466 (or) 250-725-2871
Website: www.tofinobus.com
Salmonberry's Emporium: Buying Souvenirs
canuck68 Says: This shop is loaded with souvenirs of Port Alberni, B.C. and Canada. It has some First Nations art as well. There are also sweatshirts and T shirts. Lots of Postcards and other memorabilia.Because there is a lot of merchandise in the store, take your time and browse. I have...
Clock Tower Gallery: Art and Souvenirs
canuck68 Says: This shop specializes in art and features local artists. They also do framing. There are beautiful postcards, blank greeting cards and a wide variety of paintings from the modest in price to fairly expensive. What you buy would depend largely on your taste and on your...
Helpfulness
There are several interesting and very well done wall murals around town. They can be found on the sides of buildings.
Two examples are pictured below. There is a large mural painted on the Best Western Barclay Hotel at the corner of Stamp Ave. and Roger Street.
They are all worth a look.
Written Apr 2, 2010
Helpfulness
Logging trucks always have the right-of-way on the backroads in this area. Travel by the public is allowed on private logging roads, but only after normal working hours, usually 5:00 PM -6:00 AM. Some roads may be gated. These trucks carry huge loads of 100 tons or more and take up both lanes. If you happen to meet one, pull over as far as you can on the shoulder and allow it to pass and ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON! During dry weather, the roads can be very dusty as well, limiting visibility.
Updated Nov 4, 2008
canuck68 Says: This is a picture taken in October at Roger Creek Park. The leaves are a spectacular color.At any time of the year it is a nice little park to take a picnic lunch and just relax for a while.It is close to the center of town so easily accessible. It's also an easy walk from...
Sawdust8 Says: If you are a birder you are always looking for good places to see birds when you are traveling. The best place to bird in "Port" is on the other side of the river from town. It is the mouth, or estuary of the Somass River. Here there is a great diversity of habitat; marsh...
Helpfulness
Hockey is very big in Port Alberni so you can always take in a game. The Bulldogs play in the BC Junior League and have a very big following. Their home is the PA Multiplex. The players actually come from all over Canada and are all NHL hopefuls. On game night the arena is filled to capacity.
Equipment: If you are going to skate you will of course need your skates or rent them.
Updated Feb 19, 2008
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We are blessed with some wonderful scenery in the Alberni Valley. We are surrounded by mountains and also have impressive waterways. One is the Somass River which runs into the Alberni Canal which...
Port Alberni, Forestry capital of Vancouver Island
Home to many sawmills and pulp mills, the key word in Port Alberni is WOOD. Port Alberni is located at the head of Alberni Inlet. It suffered damage in the 1960's when a large tsunami funneled up the...
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