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Victoria Quay
Lyndon Cassell Photography
Waterfront on the North side of Port Alberni
Overlooking the Somass River
Victoria Quay is a popular hang-out for locals all year round. It's also very popular for tourists who come to see black bears. At the south end of the Quay is Millstone Park. The rest area along the banks of the Somass River is where everyone loves to sit and have a picnic, watch the boats come and go, and keep an eye on the wildlife. Just north of the park benches the walkway continues. The museum like structure holds a First Nations masterpiece. Next to it is a bit of an open grassy area with two very very tall Welcoming Figures. One of the figures is looking out over the Somass River to welcome those who arrive my water. The second figure is looking inland, to welcome those who arrive by land. The board walk along the edge is an awesome place to watch sunsets. You can take the boardwalk parallel to the road (River Road) and make your way to Clutesi Haven.
Black Bear Viewing: The Victoria Quay is world famous for it's black bear viewing location. With the Somass River one of the best locations for spawning salmon making their way upstream, the river is rich with food for the bears. You can sit on the park benches along the Quay and observe the bears from a safe distance as the river is wide and the bears are on the other side. A word of caution though, black bears can be found wandering the streets and back yards throughout the Alberni Valley in fall. These beautiful animals are getting ready for hibernation and they look everywhere for food. To find one in an apple tree or similar is a common occurrance in Port Alberi
Wildlife. A walk along the Victia Quay on any given day will allow you to view any of the abundance of sealife and wild life that inhabit the area. With an estuary just behind the tree line on the opposite side of the walking path, you are sure to get a treat. Black bears roam the shoreline in search of salmon with best viewings starting in late Summer. Seals and sealions hang out in search of salmon as well. Eagles perch high in the trees waiting to swoop down on the unsuspecting salmon. Canadian Geese fly over and hang out. Ducks love to bathe here. Herons can be seen from time to time. There is so much activity, it never gets old.
Cherry Blossom Trees.
Cherry Blossom Trees mean spring has arrived!
Rogers Creek
Rogers Creek spills into the Somass River
This is where Rogers Street meets Victoria Quay. An excellent place to watch a sunset, check out the Beaufort Range, or just sit and relax on a pack bench or picnic table. There is a totem pole here that was unveiled in September 2021. This is a Language Revitalization Pole. The center piece is historic concrete millstones moved here from the pulp and paper mill property. This location is an important site as it is a former village of Tseshatht First Nations. Millstone park has become one of my favorite places to setup the camera and get sunset shots. When the clouds are forming as the sun sets I'm often staring at the most beautiful orange and red tones that keep me taking images for a long time. Sometimes when I am pretending to be a storm chaser I make my way here. It is a good start to watching the clouds and getting a few great images. Access to main roads allows myself to get to other locations in a timely manner if I want to get cloud images from another vantage point.
Watch the boats. See some fishing. Look for black bears. Witness an assortment of wildlife. Have a picnic. Bring your binoculars and camera.
Watching boats and First Nations netting
Bring your camera or binoculars
The boardwalk over looks the Somass River near the Welcoming Figures. This is where I have spent a significant amount of time taking images. From sunsets to black bears, it never gets old hanging out here.
Sunsets at Victoria Quay
This is my favourite place in the Valley for watching and taking photos of sunsets. I've probably taken more photos at Victoria Quay than any other location. With the Somass River and distant mountain ranges, we can get just the right cloud formations to compliment the warm air for amazing sunsets for most of the year.
Check out
The Welcoming Figures are there to welcome travelers from the water and by land. They were created by local Hupacasath First Nations carvers.
Take a walk over the bridge by the Welcoming Figures and you'll be at Clutesi Haven Marina. From food trucks, picnic tables, and a view of the Somass River, the area is owned and operated by the Port Alberni Port Authority and is another great location to rest and soak up the atmosphere of the Alberni Valley.
The Millstone Park is located at the corner of where Rogers Street meets Victoria Quay. Follow Rogers Street East to go to the top. This is where you will find an assortment of popular destinations including the ADSS High School, our outdoor Track and Field, the Fall Fair Grounds, the Glenwood Center, the newly created Five Acre Social House, the Alberni Valley Multi-plex, the Athletic Hall, North Island College, softball fields, all of which are a part of the Echo Region.
If you were to follow Rogers Creek inland from where it meets the Somass River, you would meet Rogers Creek Park, which is close to here. It is a very popular park with a water feature, green spaces, and in great demand for weddings and graduation photos.
Fine Art Landscape Photographer Port Alberni
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