What you'll do
Experience the beauty of Central Vancouver Island on a four-day adventure that combines outdoor exploration with indulgent relaxation.
Discover hidden caves, majestic waterfalls, and pristine white sandy beaches that stretch for miles.
In between adventures, savor incredible dining and unwind at luxurious spas, offering the perfect balance of thrill and tranquility.
Whether you're seeking natural wonders or a bit of pampering, Central Vancouver Island delivers an unforgettable getaway.
Day 1
Disclaimer: Our Vancouver Island travel guide offers packed, detailed itineraries designed to help you make the most of your time exploring this beautiful and diverse region. Vancouver Island is vast, with countless sights to see and experiences to enjoy, so there is plenty of ground to cover. While our itineraries provide a full and exciting schedule, we encourage you to tailor your trip to fit your preferences.
Please keep in mind that driving distances between destinations can vary significantly. We recommend doing some research to understand the travel times between locations and planning your route accordingly. Our itineraries are meant to inspire your journey, allowing you the flexibility to make your trip as short, long, busy, or relaxed as you like.
Happy exploring!
Spend your first day exploring Ladysmith and Cedar - two extremely charming and beautiful towns. There are lots of little shops and farms to explore.
We've listed our favourite things to do in this area.
If you plan it right, you can visit the Cedar Farmer's Market, open every Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm from Mother's Day until the end of October.
If the market is closed, add on the Christie Falls Hike instead.
Ladysmith
Sightseeing
Historic seaside town in Canada
Ladysmith is one of our favourite charming small towns on the island. It's main street has been named "The Greatest Street in Canada" and we think visiting is a must!
Some things to note:
There are many incredible bakeries and restaurants in town. Our favourites are Old Town Bakery, Wild Poppy Market, Bayview Brewing, Fox and Hounds, Appetit Food For Thought, and Maya Norte.
Their Christmas display, the "Festival of Lights", is incredible! The whole town lights up for the holidays and it all starts off with Light Up Parade at the end of November.
Many movies and TV shows are filmed here and you can see the evidence of this in the brightly coloured buildings downtown.
Transfer Beach is a massive beach park with a huge playground, waterpark, dining shelters, food trucks and events.
Old Town Bakery
bakery
Popular with delicious treats
Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith is a popular spot known for serving up the Island's best cinnamon buns! Although I am quite partial to their croissants and sausage rolls as well.
Run by Kate and Geoff Cram since 2002, this bakery has been a local favorite for its made-from-scratch treats that bring back memories of Grandma's baking.
They also serve specialty coffees, sandwiches, salads and soups.
This spot always has a line out the door so plan to wait!
Transfer Beach Park
Sightseeing
Relaxing beach park with events
Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith is a chill beach with a sweet harbour view.
You can spend a whole day here exploring the beach and having a picnic in the dining shelters or grab food from a food tuck. It's family-friendly, with a large playground, water park and dog park.
There's also an amphitheatre that hosts cool events like concerts and logger sports.
This is definitely a must stop spot!
Cedar Farmer's Market
Sightseeing
Local goodness in Cedar community
The Cedar Farmers Market is a vibrant hub of local goodness nestled in the heart of Cedar, just a skip away from Nanaimo.
With its small-town charm and big market vibes, it's the place to be every Sunday from Mother’s Day to Halloween.
From fresh produce and ethically raised meat to handmade crafts and delicious treats, this market has it all.
Plus, they're all about supporting the community and creating a cheerful space where people can come together for some good ol' laughter, fellowship, and, of course, fantastic food!
Tip: Make a day of it and head over to Crow and Gate Pub for lunch afterwards.
Every Sunday from Mother’s Day to Halloween, 10 am to 2 pm.
Crow & Gate Pub
restaurant
Cozy British pub with stunning garden
The Crow & Gate Pub in Cedar (near Nanaimo) is a cozy and super charming British-style pub and restaurant in a gorgeous country setting that's perfect for a casual meal or drinks with friends. This is one of our favourite spots and a must stop!
Known for its classic pub fare like beef dip, ploughman's, scotch eggs, meat pies and sticky date pudding, this spot offers a laid-back atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy good food and drinks.
With friendly staff and a picturesque location, it's a great place to relax and soak up the pub vibes.
19+ Establishment, no minors allowed.
Coast Bastion Hotel
hotel
Cozy ocean-view hotel in Nanaimo
We think this is the best hotel in Nanaimo. The location is perfect, you get ocean views and views of the mainland mountains, and it is somewhat affordable (for Vancouver Island 😉).
These newly renovated rooms have ocean views, Juliet balconies, and even soaker tubs, this place is all about comfort and style.
Plus, they're pet-friendly, have a great restaurant on-site, and are committed to eco-friendly practices.
So, whether you're here for business or pleasure, Coast Bastion Hotel is the perfect spot to kick back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Vancouver Island.