Gold River – Sayward – Tahsis – Zeballos

“The Village of Gold River is the gateway to Nootka Sound and a jumping off point for wilderness adventures on central Vancouver Island and the Pacific Ocean. Located adjacent to Strathcona Park at the end of Hwy. 28 from Campbell River (54 mi) the village has a population of over 1400. Gold River was Canada’s first ‘all-electric’ town when constructed in the 1960s to house families for the newly constructed Tahsis Company Ltd. pulp mill (located where the mouth of the Gold River meets Muchalat Inlet). Muchalat Inlet could be utilized for deep sea shipping, and water supplies were available from the Gold River. It’s now a central hub for marine and seaplane access to the smaller communities, fishing lodges and wilderness camps that dot this section of the pacific coast of Vancouver Island and the home port of the MV Uchuck, a coastal freighter which also carries tourists and drops off and picks up kayakers and hikers exploring remote areas of Kyuquot and Nootka Sound. Blessed with a moderate climate, clean air, fresh water, and room for expansion, Gold River is home to a mix of retired folks who like the affordability and the weather, and young families with children who appreciate the small town friendliness and the opportunity to build a life in a beautiful wilderness setting.” Village of Gold River 

“The Village of Sayward is a seaside community of 350 people located at the mouth of the Salmon River at Kelsey Bay. This ecologically valuable estuary is on traditional territory of the K’omoks First Nation. Logging continues to be an important industry in this area. Visitors can enjoy watching marine traffic and wildlife moving through the Johnston Strait or take a boat out to Yorke Island which is one of Canada’s most important military fortresses.” Village of Sayward

“Tahsis is located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island on the Nootka sound and is a premier ecotourism destination. This area offers opportunities for surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, wildlife viewing, and hiking through old growth forests.” Tahsis

“Zeballos is the gateway to Nootka Sound and can be found at the head of Zeballos Inlet. First populated in the 1930s when gold was found in the surrounding hillsides, Zeballos then transitioned to an economy supported by logging and currently has a population of approximately 100 residents. This area is known for it’s kayaking, sport fishing, and other wilderness recreation activities.” Zeballos