The Amazing Alberni Valley
Lyndon Cassell Photography
Exploration / Tourism Photography
The Amazing Alberni Valley and First Peoples: The Valley resides on the traditional territories of the Tseshaht and Hupacasaht First Nations. These two First Nations are part of the fourteen (14) nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of western Vancouver Island. You can explore and learn more of the First Peoples here.
A journey to the Alberni Valley
I am going to take you on a spectacular journey through the entire Alberni Valley. To begin this journey and visit all the special locations the Alberni Valley has to offer, I will show you what you can find on the edges as well. The first edge is the beginning of your travels and the other edge is where your travels can end up taking you.
From the beginning edge is the Coombs Junction and the opposite edges are either Tofino or Bamfield. In between we will drive through Cathedral Grove, over the Hump, check out the Visitors Centre at the fork in the road, and then investigate the fork in the road.
When we go left we'll get into the City of Port Alberni, and check out the south side, making our way to Bamfield.
When we go right we're gonna cruise down Johnston Road and visit North Port, and make our way to Tofino. It's not like you are going to go in the wrong direction! If you take a left but meant to go right, you will get to enjoy the south side before making your way across town (there are a couple of ways to do that) to North Port. If you head down Johnston Road but meant to go the other way, you'll be able to go across town to South Port from the bottom of Johnston Road. Don't worry about what is where just yet. When we get to the Visitor Centre we'll get to check out the list of what to expect depending on our choice. Pack a lunch, there's plenty to see!
If you would prefer to get to Alberni Valley destinations faster, you can visit the page Destinations of the Alberni Valley
If you are coming to the Alberni Valley by road there's an exciting adventure awaiting you before your arrival. Once you get off Highway 1 onto Highway 4 there is much to take in. This is where we start our tour through the Alberni Valley, by first introducing you to what can be discovered along your travels.
Tourism Chalet
Head into town and visit the Tourism Centre at the forks in the road. The chalet is also home to the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce
First Responders and Health Care.
Within the Alberni Valley you will find:
West Coast General Hospital (with a heli-pad)
A walk in clinic
Ambulance Services
City of Port Alberni Fire Department
Cherry Creek Volunterr Fire Department
Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department
RCMP
City Hall - Port Alberni
ACRD - Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
Regional Airport
Port Alberni Port Authority
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
Huu-ay-aht Government
Hupacasath Goverment
Tseshath Government
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
June 4, 2023 Note: This page is being redone and it might look a bit unorthodox at this time. It won't take too long to get it back to a nice flow or information and images.
This site is designed to be dynamic. New content and updates will occur very regularly. Pages will be modified and content will evolve.
The Valley is home to some of the most special events on Vancouver Island, and is one of many reasons why I decided to make it my home. Here is a list of the major events that occur (which I have been fortunate to attend and photograph)
This list will be provided links soon (after I have finalized the list):
Alberni Valley Bulldogs - Junior A Hockey Team
Funtastic / Okee Dokee Softball Tournament and Music Festival
Salmon Derby and Festival
District Fall Fair
Toy Run
Truth and Reconciliation Walk (Orange Shirt Day)
From the Chamber of Commerce you are now at a fork on the road and the direction you take will depend on where you are interested in exploring, what your final destination maybe, or what many be important to get to first and foremost. No matter which of the two routes you take, they will both get you into the Alberni Valley and you can go from one side to the other without having to come back to the Tourism Chalet to go the other way.
Take me to Bamfield
Cruise through Port Alberni by going left at the tourism centre fork in the road instead of taking Johnston Road.
Below is a list of places of note along the journey of South Port:
West Coast General Hospital
Echo
Multiplex
Rainbow Lanes Bowling
Tyee Landing
Industrial Heritage Society
Curling Arena
City Hall
Train Station
Harbour Quay
The Lighthouse
Canal Beach
China Creek Campground
Panchea Bay Campground
Bamfield
Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Argyle Street from the Harbour Quay with Mt Arrowsmith in the background
One thing you can count on in the Alberni Valley, there is no shortage of trails. One of the many popular locations is the Dyke and Estuary at the crossing of River Road and Beaver Creek Road. Just a short distance from where Johnson Street intersects with the beginning of River Road.
Cherry Blossom Trees. We know it's Spring time because the Cherry Blossom trees are in full bloom, and they are everwhere!
