Queen Cove  
 

 

 


GETTING TO QUEEN COVE
Driving will only get you so far...your final leg of the journey to Queen Cove will be either by boat or float plane.
 
If you are travelling by boat:
 
Tahsis and Zeballos are the nearest villages from which you can boat to Queen Cove.  The trip will take about 45 minutes from either village.  Both have a general store, fuel, and a place to launch your boat.  In addition, Tahsis is home to Westview Marina, which offers some additional services and can organize water taxis and chartered tours.
 
The MV Uchuck provides year round freight and passenger service for west coast communities, departing from Muchalat Inlet, 12 kilometres south of Gold River, and travels through Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet and terminating in Kuyuquot, about an hour north of Queen Cove.  Passengers can book space for themselves and their kayaks aboard the Uchuck.
 
Directions to Tahsis:
 
From Victoria/Nanaimo:‚  take the island highway north to Campbell River.‚  At the north end of Campbell River, take Highway 28 to Gold River.‚  At the traffic lights just before the beginning of Highway 28 is a Chevron gas station.‚  There is no other gas station until Gold River so if you need to fill up, this is the place to do it.
 
Just after the traffic lights, do not cross the bridge or you will not be on Highway 28 and‚ will continue heading north on the island highway.‚  You know you are on the right road if you pass Elk Falls a few kilometres along Highway 28.‚  You are on the wrong road if you pass a pulp mill within the first few kilometres.
 
Shortly after leaving Campbell River, you will be out of cell phone range.
 
The distance from Campbell River to Gold River is 88 kilometres and should take about‚ 1-1/4 hours. ‚ Expect a scenic road full of twists and‚ turns.‚  Just under halfway along‚ is Strathcona Park Lodge on the right.‚  It is a pleasant place to stop for a break and bite to eat.
 
A few kilometres past Strathcona Park Lodge, you will need to turn right to keep on the road to Gold River.‚  This 3-way‚ intersection is clearly marked.
 
There are two gas stations in Gold River.‚  The next gas station is in Tahsis, another 64 kilometres (1-1/2 hours) further.‚  If you do not need to stop, continue straight on Highway 28.‚  After 2-3 kilometres the road bends to the left and you come to‚ a one-way bridge‚  This is a good place to set your odometer so you‚ have an idea of where you are along the way.‚  Cross this one-way bridge. ‚  Immediately after crossing this bridge, turn LEFT, cross a second‚ bridge, and veer to the RIGHT up the hill, and you are on the Tahsis Road.‚ 
 
Take great care while travelling on the Tahsis Road.‚  Most of the road is‚ gravel, with many steep hills, turns and one-way bridges.‚  Logging trucks actively use the road.‚  Give way to them.‚  Have headlights on at all times.‚  It is a good idea to bring snacks and water along with youƒ‚‚ for the ride.‚  Do not rush this trip.‚  Use patience and arrive safely!
 
Once you are in Tahsis, drive around to the other side of the inlet and you will find Westview Marina.‚  At the head of the inlet (before Westview Marina) there is‚ a gas station, grocery store, restaurant, hardware store and other services.‚  There are also two hotels and many bed & breakfasts in town.‚ 
 
 
Directions to Zeballos:
 
From Victoria/Nanaimo:‚  take the island highway north to Campbell River.‚  At the north end of Campbell River, there is a Chevron gas station at the last set of traffic lights.‚  The next gas station is in Sayward, about 45 minutes north.‚  Immediately after these lights, you will cross a‚ bridge.‚  This means you turn RIGHT if you have been travelling on the Old Island Highway (through town) and you‚ go STRAIGHT if you have come from the Inland Island Highway.‚  You know you are on the right road if you pass the pulp mill in about 5 kilometres.  Shortly after leaving Campbell River, you will be out of cell phone range.
 
You will know you are getting close to Zeballos when you see the sign for Woss.‚  Here is the last place to stop for‚ fuel or food before‚ Zeballos.‚  It is only a kilometre or so off the highway.‚ ‚ 
 
Approximately another 20 kilometres further, look for the Zeballos turnoff.‚ ‚ It is a good idea to set your odometer at the beginning of Zeballos Road.
 
The Zeballos Road is a gravel/shale road‚ about‚ 40 kilometres long and has a few forks in the road.‚  Watch for signs and stay on track.‚  It is a good idea to have water and snacks handy for your trip.‚  Expect to take about‚ an hour‚ on this road.
 
Once you are in Zeballos, continue along the main road.‚  At the end of this road you will find a general store, fuel, the main dock, and to the left just before the store, a boat launching and parking area.
 
 
 
 
If you are travelling by float plane:
 
There are several choices, the most logical of which are the following:
 
from Gold River:‚  Nootka Air
 
from Tofino:‚  Atleo Air
 
from Victoria:‚  fly to Tofino and connect to Atleo Air.
 
from Nanaimo: fly to Tofino and connect to Atleo Air.
 
from Vancouver:‚  fly to Tofino and connect to Atleo Air.