Areas Near Ladysmith, B.C.
Chemainus
A few minutes drive from Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, Chemainus is a quaint coastal town renowned for the many colorful, historic murals painted on its downtown building walls. This tranquil, small artistic community strongly values culture and tourism. Located between Ladysmith and Duncan, Chemainus is easily accessible via the main highway and has lots of character homes. It is a great place to visit, enjoy outdoor activities and meet the laid back locals.
What to do in Chemainus
- Attend a play at the Chemainus Theatre
- See an outdoor concert at Chemainus Music in the Park
- Visit Kin Park for a walk on the beach, a swim in the ocean or to launch your boat
- Shop for art, antiques, local products, collectables or clothes in beautiful downtown Chemainus
- Enjoy the cafes, bakeries and dining
- Hit the Mount Brenton Golf Course
- Enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking and diving
Nanaimo
Nanaimo is located bout 20 minutes north of Ladysmith via the Trans Canada Hwy. Situated along the shorelines of the east cost of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is a vibrant city that offers beautiful, diverse landscapes, stunning parks and trails, farmland, sandy beaches, a beautiful harbour and one of the most magnificent waterfronts in Canada. The Island’s second largest city after Victoria, Nanimo is blessed with a forested mountain backdrop and numerous ocean views. Its mild climate, natural wild beauty and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities makes it a perfect tourist destination.
Nanimo is easily accessible from the British Columbia mainland via BC Ferries. It is also a great pivotal location to commute to the Gulf Islands (Newcastle Island, Protection Island, Gabriola Island, Valdes Island, and many others), and to the north island (Tofino, Comox Valley, Parksville, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, etc.).
What to do in Nanaimo
- Stroll down the streets of the smartly restored downtown Old City Quarter and Walkable Harbourfront
- Discover the beauty of Milner Gardens & Woodland, an ancient forest and garden oasis by the sea
- Savor a golf game in one of the region’s 19 golf courses
- Enjoy the many hiking and cycling trails, fishing, kayaking and boating, scuba diving, ziplining, bungy jumping and bird watching opportunities
- Go caving in the caves at Horne Lake
- Take a tour of the local vineyards, breweries and distilleries
- Explore Mount Benson Regional Park
- Take a walk around Westwood Lake, a 6 km leisurely loop around the lake with side trails
Duncan
The historic coastal city of Duncan is the commercial hub of South Central Vancouver Island. Located 25 minutes south of Ladysmith and one hour drive from Victoria, Duncan is home to many Coast Salish First Nations People and takes pride in its rich heritage. We can find over 75 totem poles and other cultural artifacts throughout the city.
This small, lively city has a population of 5,000 with a funky downtown and a bucolic rural area. The average temperature in Duncan is higher than anywhere else in Canada, making it an ideal place for vineyards, fishing, farming, forestry and tourism.
What to do in Duncan
- Cruise along the streets of downtown Duncan, with its wellness studios, shopping, dining, pubs and historical buildings
- Visit the picturesque Providence Farm with its restaurant and therapeutic farm program. Grab some fresh produce from the Farm Stand and visit their general store, visit the greenhouse and walk the labyrinth
- Experience the Duncan Farmer’s Market
- Discover beautiful nature walks such as the Kinsol Trestle, the Cowichan Valley Trail, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and Stoney Hill Regional Park
- Visit The Raptors; an organization dedicated to promoting conservation and raising awareness for birds of prey such as the bald eagle, the barn owl, the turkey vulture and the gurfalcon.