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Why Port Alberni ?
Port Alberni
This waterfront community, population of 18,790, is nestled in Alberni Valley at the head of the inlet, which is the longest inlet on the Vancouver Island.Port Alberni is the gateway to the Pacific Rim, which is a main reason alot of visitors stay so that they can experience other west coast locations. The main industries in Port Alberni are logging and mining and after having a good look around you will see its apart its history and continues to be apart of everyday life today. Port Alberni was named after Captain Don de Alberni, a Spanish officer who commanded Fort San Miguel at Nootka Sound on the west coast of the Vancouver Island from 1790 to 1792. Nootka was the previous name of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations tribe and many places in Port Alberni have Nuu-chah-nulth origin.
Port Alberni is the gateway to Tofi and Ucluelet and known as the backbone to the Vancouver Island. Driving out to see long beaches, old growth forests, pounding surf with twists and turns along the contours of the coast. Pacific Rim National Park is a 50 kilometer long beach along the open Pacific Ocean between Tofino and Ucluelet.
Tofino is known for its beach combing, surfing, kayaking and salt spring soaking. It has earned its name “Tough City” for its long rainy and tempest winters.
Ucluelet is a small fishing town known for its sport fishing for salmon and halibut.
Its no longer sandy but rocky and rough beaches are spectacular for whale and storm watching. The only way to get to Ucluelet and Tofino is to drive through Port Alberni o the Alberni highway also known as highway 4.
Port Alberni is also known as the Salmon capital of the world. The Victoria Quay is a small park located at the Somass River waterfront where you are greeted by two carvings of a man and a woman welcoming you into Port Alberni.
Port Alberni’s Harbour has tackle shops, boat rentals and even fishing charters. People sport fish all year round at the Alberni inlet and Barkley sound for Chinook, Coho, and sockeye Salmon. The Alberni Harbour is a commercial complex at the foot of Argyle Street, and offers restaurants, galleries, shopping, dining and information. On Saturdays you can enjoy the Famers Market at the Harbour Quay where you will find everything from groceries to unique arts and crafts. Also near by is a vessel by the name of MV Lady Rose that departs daily for cruises along the coast from Port Alberni to Bamfield and Ucluelet. Tourists will be able to enjoy the broken up islands and stop in at Ucluelet, Bamfield and other coves and bays. Black bears and bald eagles are often seen on this journey and you will learn that this vessel is vital for transportation and communication for the isolated communities along the Alberni inlet.
Downtown Port Alberni is laid out on a hill sloping down into the Alberni inlet. With lots of parking available it’s easy for everyone to experience all of what Port Alberni has to offer. The City of Port Alberni has a deep sea port, waterfront quays, a new hospital, shopping mall, casino and recreational facilities. While exploring Port Alberni take time to enjoy the murals set out along the cities landscape, there is a guided map available at the travel information centre. Port Alberni offers a wide range of visitor services and lodging, with many options including hotels, motels, RV parks and campsites.
Recreation in Port Alberni consists of many things such as swimming, fishing, hiking, camping, golf, tours and windsurfing. Port Alberni is home to the Echo Aquatic and Fitness centre. This multiplex has two NHL sized rinks, lighted softball and baseball diamonds (20 all together); six turf fields for soccer, rugby and field hockey. The all weather field and club house has two equestrian rings and a sixty-four stall barn. There is also a 14,000 square foot indoor rock climbing wall and indoor rollerblading, ten tennis courts and a shooting range. There is something for everyone in Port Alberni which is also a famous destination for sporting events. Port Alberni has hosted such things as the Senior and Disabled Games and every year hosts a wrestling tournament for the Alberni Valley High School. Port Alberni has nine elementary schools one of them catholic and one of them Christian. We also have two Colleges, North Island College and Discover Community College. North Island College has been open since 1975 and is located on Rogers Street in Downtown Port Alberni. This College offers 800 courses and 70 programmes, and also gives hands on access to our industry standard facilities and learning resources. Discover Community College has been opened since 1989 and is located on Tebo Street downtown Port Alberni, it offers relevant and state of the art training. With so many amazing and fun things that the Alberni Valley has to offer there are seven you don’t want to miss and they are known as the seven wonders of the Alberni Valley.
One of the seven wonders of the Alberni Valley is Cathedral Grove. Located on highway 4, also known as the Alberni Highway, this beautiful enchanted forest received its name by being compared to the large cathedrals in Europe. Officially named MacMillan Provincial Park, it displays many different types of trees that are around 800 years old. It is home to some of the biggest trees in Canada, some even measuring 9 meters in circumference and showcases the largest Douglas fir tree. This forest isn’t meant for hikes the trails are mainly short walks winding through the forest. The park contains many species of wildlife such as Owls and Woodpeckers, along with Black bears, Elk and Cougars. So when heading to or from Port Alberni you have to stop at Cathedral Grove and take in the beauty of these majestic pillars.
The Second of the seven wonders is called the Alberni Pacific Railway, Maclean Mill National Historic Park. Located on Smith road, this fully restored commercial steam operated saw mill is the only one in Canada. You will see original buildings and logging equipment including a steam donkey, logging trucks, graders and lumber carriers. Professional actors showcase how it was for the pioneers of the logging industry through drama, song, stories and dance. Then visitors board a train, a completely restored 1929 Baldwin which was an ex-logging locomotive at the CPR station. The track rolls through the city of Port Alberni and its surrounding forest for a 35 minute ride each way. At the end of the journey visitors are encouraged to stop in at the Steam Pot Café which offers an assortment of lunches and snacks and the Mill Store gift shop that carries a variety of souvenirs, arts and crafts.
Bears from the Boardwalk are the third wonder of the Alberni Valley and is a common occurrence to see a bear. During late summer and early fall Black bears can be spotted fishing for salmon. Sometimes if you are lucky you will get to see a mother bear with her cubs and watching it harbour side you can experience the awe of this amazing animal in its natural habitat.
The fourth wonder of the Alberni Valley is Della Falls. This trail near Port Alberni leads you from the head of the Great Central Lake to the base of the highest waterfall in Canada which is 440 meters high and 1443 feet. The 16km trail leading to Della Falls is a 7 hour hike one way. This trail is more suited for intermediate hikers and was originally built by a trapper, Joe Drinkwater, who named the falls after his wife Della and created the Ark Resort. Another way to see the falls is by boat which leaves the Ark resort. Visitors must allow three days round trip if using a power boat and 6 days by canoe. The Ark Resort is located off highway 4 and instead of turning towards Sprout Lake go straight ahead on Great Lake road for 8km.
The Mars Water Bombers are the fifth wonder of the Alberni Valley, are the Pride of Port Alberni and are locally owned by the Coulson Group. Located on Sproat Lake, this giant Second World War aircraft is becoming a renowned tourist attraction. Built in the 1940’s by Howard Hughes these massive planes hold 27 tonnes of water and are a key component in the fight against forest fires in Canada today. So when visiting the Alberni Valley and you hear the deep call of the Water Bombers engine look up and see a piece of Port Alberni history on a wing.
The Log Train trail is number six out of the seven wonders of Port Alberni. Originally apart of the Bainbridge Mill Rail logging operation, the trail was abandoned in 1972 when the mill was closed. H.R. MacMillan purchased the Alberni Pacific lumber company and John D Rockefeller’s timber rights in the Ash River Valley in 1937. Part of the Bainbridge Mill Grade was utilized when a logging road was built to access the timber. It was the mainline for logging until it was abandoned in 1953 when logging trucks were preferred over the trains. In 1937 the railroad took two shipments a day and today only debris and some uprights can be seen over the trestle. Some of the old lumber is being used as steps up to Rogers Creek ravine. It was officially reopened in 1990 and is a major historical trail and feature to the forest industry in the Alberni Valley. Some points of the trail can be accessed and are good for short walks.
The Seventh wonder of the Alberni Valley is the Whaling Sculpture. Home to the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, their history and culture are an important part of the community. The whaler’s canoe structure, which was originally situated in Victoria’s Royal B.C. Museum, now remains in Port Alberni. Situated on Johnston road beside two welcoming figures, this monument symbolizes their strength and tradition and is shared and respected in the community. The strong history of this First Nations band shaped Port Alberni before the Europeans arrived.
In addition to these seven attractions, the Alberni Valley has a lot to offer and explore such as Sproat Lake and Bamfield.
Located at the head of the Alberni canal on highway 4 and 15 minutes west of Port Alberni, Sproat Lake was named after Gilbert Malcolm Sprout, who has established a saw mill in the 1860’s. It is a favourite spot for adventure seekers who want to swim, fish, water ski, wake board and wind surf. There are trails leading around the park with the eastern side leading to some panels of petroglyph which are named “K’ak’awin’. Little is known about this prehistoric petroglyph’s as they suggest mystical ancient monsters living in the lake. With two separate campgrounds and a large day use area the lake is a popular place for campers, picnickers, swimmers, and sun seekers.
Also located at the southern entrance to Barkley sound is a village called Banfield. This traditional village was originally named Keeshan, Keeshan is the name of the Nuu-chah-nulth tribe whose territory covers parts of Barkley sound. Banfield originated from a man named William Eddy Banfield. He had established a permanent trading post with the Indians and from there it became Banfield. Then only two short years later there were reports he had drowned while he was canoeing, but later a Huu-ay-aht man was accused of his murder but never convicted. When the renewal notice came a spelling mistake was made by a government official, officially changing its name forever to Bamfield. Bamfield is not that easy to get to as you have to travel along an unpaved active logging road or by boat. Tourists are welcome but if you are looking for fine dining and shopping Bamfield isn’t for you. If you appreciate small town spirit and treats only Mother Nature can provide then Bamfield is for you.
So whether it’s on or off the water, day trip or vacation or even living in Port Alberni, it has something for everyone to enjoy all year round.
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