As you can see from my name, I have an obvious interest in visiting Errington. My wife and I will be in Vancouver from Monday 24/8 to Saturday 29/8. We are planning full day trips to Victoria (Butchart Gardens) and Whistler. My question is - how can we fit in a visit to Errington? - looking at maps it seems a "bit out the way" from Victoria (ferries etc).
Derek Errington, Williamstown (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia
Easy place to visit seeing as how it's just a few houses, a farmer's market, and community hall-last I was thorough the population of Deer seemed have increased exponentially as they were crowding the roads somewhat like Roos in Oz.
It's not too bad to get to. A full day though, including Butchart. You'd need to rent a car. From Butchart you an drive about 2.5 hours up Island, take a look around, then head for the northern route ferry back to Vancouver. A weekday would be good. Friday not so much.
On your VICTORIA Day:
About 4 hours from Vancouver to Butchart, including the 1.5 hour ferry ride and the 1 hour wait for the ferry. Ferry ressie would be a good idea given your plans. With a ressie you need to be at the ferry terminal 60-30 min ahead of sailing to claim it, pay your fare and get in the priority boarding line.
2.5 hours from Butchart via ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay across Saanich Inlet, including the wait for the ferry and the ferry ride and up to Errington. Buy your ferry ticket from the nearby Thrifty Foods store around Butchart, as you will get a discount and no messing with cash with the ferry attendant.
http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/bbmb-current.php
Later, half an hour from Errington to the ferry at Departure Bay (Nanaimo), 1 hour wait for the ferry unless you make reservations, over to Horseshoe Bay and back into Vancouver. Just under 4 hours journey.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pWsUF
Or on your WHISTLER Day:
Vancouver to Errington via Horseshoe Bay > Departure Bay, about 3.5-4 hours. Errington to Whistler via the same ferry, an hour wait for the ferry, unless you reserve, about 4.5 hours. Then Whistler to Vancouver about 2 hours.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/W6E3U
The first route plan, Vancouver > Butchart > Errington > Vancouver will provide more scenery to look at. You could consider an overnight on the Island. Leave Vancouver for Butchart about 2 pm, visit Butchart, maybe stay up Island at Chemainus, nice little town, Best Western Hotel is there, do the 39 outdoor mural walkabout. About an hour from Butchart using the Mill Bay ferry, Next day up to Errington in an hour. Look around: Cathedral Grove, Englishman River Falls, Little Qualicum Falls, Coombs Country Market. Then back to Vancouver in about 4 hours.
Thanks for your input - seeing deer would be a bonus
Thanks for all your suggestions - will have to do some research on booking reservations and weighing up car rental costs
Sam forgot that in addition to deer etc there is a sawmill to tour. A main market for the mill is Melbourne.
There is a Saturday market in Errington which is very 'hippyish' and kind of fun, and the best cinnamon buns if you get there early enough before they sell out. They usually have local talent on the stage in the woods. I would plan on spending the night in the area to really be able to see the sights around and not feel rushed, as said above. Lots of things in the area to do, if you plan on spending any time here let me know and I can answer any questions for you.
Edited: 9 years agoUnfortunately the overnight option is just a bit too hard to organise, but thanks for your input - I may get back to you
Lots of trailers and hillbilly's. It's kinda on the outskirts of Parksville. The Hillbilly's are not a threat though.
There are many very expensive, huge gated homes in errington and coombs, you just don't see them. It is not all hillbillys and trailers. A lot of famous musians and actors live in the area.
