The Museum at Campbell River’s summer boat tours are designed to get people out on the water and visit areas they normally may not be able to explore, while learning about local history.
In August, the museum is again offering a trip to the north – a boat cruise out of Kelsey Bay that will take passengers over to Hardwicke Island, around Yorke Island and up to Port Neville.
The tour departs on Aug. 25, at 9:30 a.m.
Discovery Marine Safaris’ bus takes passengers from Campbell River to Kelsey Bay and, along the way, the museum interpreter will discuss places of historic interest such as Menzies Bay – named after Captain Vancouver’s botanist, Archibald Menzies – Brown’s Bay Marina and Resort – built in 1954 – and Robert’s Lake Resort, still operated by a member of the Duncan family of Sayward.
Turning at Sayward, known for the famous Cable Cookhouse, the bus continues to Kelsey Bay, which was once a bustling BC ferry terminal. Here, guide and passengers will board the Tenacious III to begin their exploration of this section of Johnstone Strait.
First stop is Hardwicke Island, where the Bendickson Logging Company thrived for several decades, and where bunkhouses from the Yorke Island fort were floated over and used as part of the logging camp.
The original jail from Yorke Island can be seen from the bay. It once housed Hardwicke Island’s primary school teacher and has now been converted into a summer home.
From Hardwicke, the boat heads north, passing the east side of Yorke Island and enters into the beautiful Port Neville Inlet
To reserve a spot, call 250-287-3103. The cost is $130 and includes hot and cold beverages and a light picnic lunch.