Gold River Highway 28, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Highway 28 runs the width of central Vancouver Island, linking Campbell River on the east coast with Gold River and Nootka Sound on the west, including access to Strathcona Provincial Park in the middle.

The mountains and islands of central Vancouver Island have a mysterious sense about them, as if they're always trying to hide some secret. It's true: you do have to travel farther afield here in order to penetrate its cloud-laced valleys, coastal rain forest, and the open ocean waters of its two sounds, Nootka and Kyuquot.

Some of this landscape's mysteries lie tucked away inside the vaulted domes of underground caverns. Afloat in a sea kayak on an open sound, or deep inside the Quatsino cave system, be prepared to experience a blend of connectedness and jubilation, isolation and terror, when adventuring here. One thing is guaranteed: at the end of the day, you'll sleep well.

Highway 28 continues past the community of Gold River to the head of the Muchalat Inlet. The sheltered waters of Muchalat Inlet run like a long corridor through steep-sided fjords, where landing places are scarce. Once in Nootka Sound, however, a much more weather-beaten landscape begins to reveal itself. Bligh Island Marine Provincial Park (part of the Spanish Pilot Group) sits at the mouth of Muchalat Inlet.

The MV Uchuck III stops nearby at Friendly Cove (Kyuquot) or will drop off kayakers beside Bligh Island by prior arrangement. There's much to explore in this group of six islands, scattered where Muchalat Inlet converges with two adjacent inlets and their channels. The waters in this region can get choppy, so small craft must cross with care. Large Bligh Island is named for a much-maligned British Navy captain who sailed here with the equally well-known Captain Cook in 1788. A cairn at Resolute Cove on the southeast coast of the island commemorates the landing.

Many visitors to the west side of Vancouver Island may never have had the chance to boat in the wind, the rain, and the ever-rolling seas that characterize the world of the outside waters, as the open ocean here is often called. One of three freighters (or 'coasters') that ply the waters of Vancouver Island's Barkley, Nootka, and Kyuquot Sound is based in Gold River. Exploring the outside waters aboard the Uchuck III as the former World War II minesweeper makes a weekly two-day round-trip voyage to the fishing hamlet of Kyuquot can be an adventure.

For many passengers, particularly in storm season, the high (or low) point of the journey is the two-hour stretch each way spent tossing about on the open ocean waters between Port Eliza and Kyuquot. From the moment the 136-foot-long freighter leaves the dock in Gold River and begins its 10-hour journey the big question is whether your constitution can handle the rise-and-fall motion of the ship in high seas. (At such times it helps to remember that the word uchuck translates as healing waters).

Location: Highway 28 originates from Highway 19 just north of Campbell River and leads west for 57 miles (92 km) to Gold River. Highway 19 to the north of Campbell River leads to Port Hardy. Highways 19 and 19A lead south of Campbell River to Courtenay.

The following communities, parks and regions are accessible via High 28:

Campbell River
The young and vibrant community of Campbell River on the east coast of central Vancouver Island is beautifully set between Strathcona Park to the west and the Discovery Islands to the east, a metropolitan town located on the frontier of a BC wilderness, inhabited by few people but many animals. Long known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Campbell River is a natural destination, in more ways than one.

Gold River Visitor Information Centre

Gold River
Carved from wilderness in the 1960s, the resource-based community of Gold River is located in central Vancouver Island, in the heart of historic British Columbia. This area is the traditional territory of the Mowachaht and Muchalaht people of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. The name Gold River appears on maps dating back to 1871, after the Chinese took gold out of the area in the 1860s.

Tahsis
The unspoiled coastal village of Tahsis is situated at the head of Tahsis Inlet, a deep fjord on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island that cuts northwards off Nootka Sound. With road access via Highway 28 and Gold River, Tahsis provides access to numerous wilderness hiking trails, some of the best ocean kayaking on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and world-class sportfishing, as massive runs of salmon migrate down the west of British Columbia.

Government Wharf at Muchalat Inlet

Nootka Sound
Steeped in history and surrounded by the natural beauty of the west coast of Vancouver Island, Nootka Sound is a paradise for sport anglers and outdoor adventurers seeking to explore and enjoy the magnificent wilderness. The mountains and islands of north and central Vancouver Island seem mysterious, as if they're always trying to hide some secret.
Nootka Sound is reached via Tahsis on Tahsis Inlet, or from Muchalat Inlet at the western terminal of Highway 28. One mode of travel to ports in Nootka Sound and neighbouring Kyuquot Sound to the north is via the vessel MV Uchuck III, a working freighter based in Muchalat Inlet that provides year-round passenger and freight service.

Buttle Lake at Buttle Narrows, Highway 28

Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, established in 1911. Located almost in the centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona Park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares. Mountain peaks dominate the park, and lakes and alpine tarns dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams.
The Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau areas offer a variety of outdoor activities, while the rest of the park is largely undeveloped and appeals primarily to those seeking wilderness surroundings. Highway 28 passes right through Strathcona, providing excellent access to the hiking trails and campgrounds in the Buttle Lake area (Buttle Lake Campground and Ralph River Campground). A day-trip to Strathcona gets you into a natural wonderland of vast forests, great lakes, alpine meadows and challenging peaks.

	Gold River Chalet, Gold River	Listing Details
	Gold River Chalet offers the finest motel accommodation in Gold River, Strathcona Provincial Park and Historical Nootka Sound! Located in the heart of downtown Gold River, Gold River Chalet is nestled in a picturesque mountainous natural setting, yet is close to community facilities. Ample space for boat, truck and RV parking.

	Newton Cove Lodge & Fishing Charters, Tahsis	Listing Details
	Newton Cove Lodge is nestled in a majestic, secluded bay in the heart of Esperanza Inlet, Nootka Sound. If your holiday plans include worldclass sportfishing, diving, kyaking or enjoying the incredible visual feast of nature that awaits Live the Adventure and Create the Memories with us. Water taxi service in Tahsis and Zeballos.

	Nootka Sound Sports Fishing Charters & Accommodation, Nootka Sound	Listing Details
	Nootka Sound is renowned for some of the best sports fishing in BC. Fish for Halibut, Red Snapper, Ling Cod, Trout, Steelhead, Coho Silver, Chum, Sockeye and Chinook salmon with Nootka Sound Fishing Charters, a family-run sports fishing charter operation, established in 1975, that works personally with guests and small groups to provide a memorable West Coast sports fishing vacation.

	Pacific Safaris Lodge & Marina, Nootka Sound	Listing Details
	Pacific Safari Lodge is British Columbia's newest luxury floating adventure resort on the beautiful West coast of Vancouver Island, anchored in McBride Bay. Join us for extreme fishing, kayaking, diving and hiking, or watch wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. Everything you want in a holiday is right here!

	Pacific Safaris Wilderness Adventures, Nootka Sound	Listing Details
	Explore Nootka Sound and the beautiful West coast of Vancouver Island. Join us for extreme fishing, kayaking, diving and hiking, or watch wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. Everything you want in a holiday is right here, including Pacific Safari Lodge, British Columbia's newest luxury floating adventure resort.

	Painter's Lodge, Campbell River	Listing Details
	A world-famous holiday and fishing resort in 'The Salmon Capital of the World', the wide variety of amenities and activities include a restaurant, pub and lounge, pool, guided fishing, whale watching and zodiac adventures. Statesmen, movie stars, authors and captains of industry have enjoyed Painter's Lodge's combination of fishing and relaxation.

	Reel Obsession Sportfishing, Victoria	Listing Details
	Reel Obsession Sport Fishing Charters offers world-class year-round guided salmon and halibut sport fishing charters on Vancouver Island, fishing Zeballos, Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet, and Victoria. We offer a variety of different charter fishing packages and are quite flexible in customizing your charter fishing experience to suit your needs.

	Silver King Lodge, Campbell River	Listing Details
	Silver King Lodge in Campbell River offers 3 seperate accommodations for up to 30 guests. Fresh and saltwater charter boat, fly-in, and heli-fishing packages to Vancouver Island West Coast, Nootka Sound, Gold River, Quatsino Sound, Knights Inlet, and Bute Inlet. The main lodge has two hot tubs to relax and wait for one of our famous West Coast seafood delights.

	Silver King Lodge Fishing, Campbell River	Listing Details
	Silver King Lodge in Campbell River offers fresh and saltwater fishing on Vancouver Island West Coast, Nootka Sound, Gold River, Quatsino Sound, Knights Inlet, and Bute Inlet. We offer full packages, or charter boat and guide only, as well as floatplane fly-in, and helicopter fishing packages.

	Spirit of the West Kayaking, Quadra Island	Listing Details
	Join our sea kayaking adventures around Vancouver Island, Canada's coastal kayaking paradise. Kayak with Killer Whales, paddle Desolation Sound, experience the remote north Nootka Sound, or kayak from the comfort of our 95 ft Mothership, the Songhee. Our sea kayaking trips depart from our base on Quadra Island in the BC Discovery Islands.

	Strathcona Park Lodge, Campbell River	Listing Details
	Guests are drawn from around the world by the lifestyle at Strathcona Park Lodge and the irresistible scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for adventure that begin on our doorstep. We have comfortable, rustic accommodation, delicious buffet meals, kayaks and canoes for rent, and lots of friendly, knowledgeable instructors. We offer guiding in rock climbing, canoeing, whitewater and sea kayaking. Enjoy our backcountry adventures in beautiful Strathcona Provincial Park; alpine hiking, backpacking, mountaineering and camping.

	Village of Tahsis, Tahsis	Listing Details
	Tahsis is an unspoiled coastal village offering world class Salmon and Halibut fishing, access to the best kayaking on the west coast of Vancouver Island, numerous hiking trails, surfing and adventure. Wildlife is plentiful and our picturesque village offers a wide range of accommodation, a full-service marina and a safe, friendly small town atmosphere.

	Anchor Inn & Suites, Campbell River	Listing Details
	Anchor Inn & Suites is a fabulous oceanfront hotel, located a 10-minute walk from downtown Campbell River. Rooms offer private balcony, and great ocean and mountain views. Featuring five deluxe theme suites. Amenities include a large indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room, business station, high-speed wireless internet, and convention facilities for 200.

	Discovery Marine Safaris, Campbell River	Listing Details
	Travel along stunning shorelines and inlets in search of killer whales, black bears, pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall�s porpoises, seals & bald eagles. Our brand new tour boats feature an enclosed & heated cabin, two outdoor viewing decks & onboard washroom. Has a Grizzly crossed your path yet? Observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat far away from human civilization.

	Ed Handja - The Coastal Expert, Campbell River	Listing Details
	B.C. OCEANFRONT PROPERTIES. I specialize in marketing and selling recreational property, oceanfront residential and commercial real estate, recreation-based businesses, freshwater and inland waterfront real estate and raw land. Listings include private islands, fishing lodges, wilderness and adventure resorts, vacation homes, oceanfront and lakefront cabins, marinas, remote and timbered acreages, and development investment properties on the west coast of BC and Vancouver Island.

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