Attractions & Activities
For People of All Ages and Interests
So much to do... or just enjoy the view on island time
So Many Options in Parksville and Area
Madrona Beach Resort is the perfect starting point to experience everything that makes Parksville and Oceanside one of Canada’s top vacation destinations.
Explore by foot or by car – either way, our unique location means you have an endless array of exciting options that will make your Vancouver Island holiday unforgettable.
With something for everyone, you’re sure to find favourite spots to relax or play – take your pick and let the Island do the rest!
The Famous Rathtrevor Beach
Located directly on the shore of breathtaking Rathtrevor Beach, this is one of the main reasons people choose Madrona Beach Resort. No matter how you spend your day, our beach is always the favourite part of everyone’s stay. Just a few steps from your door will have you…
- walking barefoot through tidal pools
- building sand castles
- exploring coastal marine life
- spending hours beachcombing at low tide as the ocean recedes almost a kilometre!
When the tide rolls in, you’ll find the shallow depths are ideal for swimming, splashing and skim boarding, even for the youngest family members.
Info on nearby beaches
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park – Walking distance from Madrona Beach Resort! Take a short, comfortable stroll along the beach right into the park, which includes a day use area and picnic facilities.
- Parksville Community Beach – Located in the heart of Parksville, this beach park is home to an excellent children’s beach playground with swings, slides, water cannons and a picnic area.
- Qualicum Beach – Located in the town of Qualicum, this four-kilometre curved beach is lined with a paved promenade popular with runners, walkers, biker and sunset-watchers.
- Lighthouse Country – Located at the northern end of Oceanside and home to many secluded bays and rockier beaches, this is a perfect spot for beachcombing. The area includes two picturesque lighthouses.
Beaches
Golf – 365 days a year
A Haven for Golf Enthusiasts
Thanks to Vancouver Island’s mild climate, you can enjoy a round of golf nearly 365 days a year here. With six “19-hole” courses and two 9-hole courses (plus two mini-golf locations!), Oceanside is a true haven for golf enthusiasts. Spectacular scenery is part of the package as you make your way around these world-class courses. Visit the websites below for directions and to book your tee time!
Mini-Golf
- Paradise Seaside Resort – 10 min. from Madrona Beach Resort
- Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf – 3 min. from Madrona Beach Resort – walking distance!
Excellent access to parks and trails
Staying at Madrona Beach Resort gives you excellent access to a number of community and provincial parks and trails. Drive a few minutes to Parksville Community Park or walk down the beach to Rathtrevor Provincial Park or take a day trip to Pacific Rim National Park on the Island’s west coast – or explore another park that’s somewhere in between…
Click on the links below for details on our favourite parks. For a complete list of Provincial Parks, visit the BC Parks website. For details on the many community parks, visit the Parksville and Qualicum Beach Tourism website.
Rathtrevor Provincial Park
Walking distance from Madrona Beach Resort! Excellent for bird watching as you walk along the park’s many trails through the old growth forest with mature Douglas firs. View website
Parksville Community Park
Known for its famous beach, this park is the site for festivals and events throughout the year. It includes a large playground, water park, two tennis courts, beach volleyball courts, a kite field, skateboard park, concession stand and picnic facilities. View website
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
Located southwest of Parksville on the Errington Road, this park lies along the Englishman River. Special features include a spectacular canyon between two waterfalls, plus several walking trails through lush, old growth forests. View website
MacMillan Provincial Park/Cathedral Grove
No visit to Parksville is complete without a trip to see the giant Douglas fir trees in Cathedral Grove. On the south side of the highway, hike through the park’s network of trails and gaze at these magnificent trees, some more than 800 years old – and one with a circumference of more than 29 feet! Then, walk across to the north side where you’ll find groves of ancient Western red cedars towering above pristine Cameron Lake. Approx. 25 min. from MBR on Hwy 4. View website
Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
This provincial park straddles the entire southern shore of Cameron Lake and straddles the Little Qualicum River. This is a popular destination for families with its trails that take you to picturesque views of the mountains, river and waterfalls. View website
Mount Arrowsmith Regional Park
Mount Arrowsmith is the most prominent peak you’ll notice during your visit to Oceanside. This park offers great hiking and rock climbing with superb views of Vancouver Island. The park is located approximately 20 kilometres from Hwy 4, along a gravel logging road. Access to the mountain is located near the summit of Hwy 4, nine kilometres east of Port Alberni.
Spider Lake Provincial Park
One of the best picnic sites in the area with a small sandy beach ideal for families and people of all ages. Stocked with small-mouth bass and rainbow trout, the lake is a great for fishing, as well as swimming, canoeing and kayaking (powerboats are prohibited).
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada
Just a day-trip away from Madrona Beach Resort lies this world famous park that is home to the West Coast Trail, Long Beach and Broken Group of Islands. Visit this park to experience Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast and the strength of the Pacific Ocean. View website
Parks and Trails
Biking, Caving, Hiking & Skiing
Biking, Caving, Hiking & Skiing
For those seeking a bit of outdoor adventure, you’ll find excellent biking, caving, hiking and skiing in and around the Parksville area…
Biking
Bring your bike along on your holiday to Madrona Beach Resort! Biking is a favourite pastime for Vancouver Island visitors and residents alike. Take a leisurely pedal along the quiet trails and low traffic roads in and around Parksville and Qualicum. Or, for avid mountain bikers, visit Top Bridge Mountain Bike Park, Vancouver Island’s only park designed for mountain bikes with trails ranging from intermediate to advanced. The park is located along the banks of the Englishman River.
Caving
Experience the amazing crystal formations and ancient fossils found in Horne Lake Caves. Take a guided tour of the limestone caves or explore them on your own – you can even climb an underground waterfall. This is a great outing for families and those seeking some extra adventure.
Hiking
You’ll find countless hiking trails in and around Parksville, leading you through beautiful scenery and unique natural features. Trail information for Vancouver Island is provided in three superb hiking trail guides by the Vancouver Island Trails Information Society.
Right from Madrona Beach Resort, you can hike along the beach to Rathtrevor Provincial Park. Head around the point and wind your way back “home” through the park’s trail system.
Or, for something a little further from home, visit Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park and experience some of the best hiking on Vancouver Island.
Skiing
Winter at Madrona Beach Resort gives you the luxury of enjoying some of the best ski conditions on the west coast with the comfort of our mild Vancouver Island climate.
- Mount Washington Alpine Resort – only an hour away, this ski resort is famous for its record snowfall, which builds to an average of 35 feet annually. Alpine, nordic and snowshoeing trails are all available along with lessons for all ages.
- Mount Arrowsmith – A fantastic winter recreation area offering cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice-climbing.
Favourite Local Attractions
Within 30-minutes of Madrona Beach Resort, you’ll discover some very special places that you won’t find anywhere else in Canada. Travel west along Hwy 4 (Alberni Hwy), or head north or south along scenic Hwy 19A (Oceanside Route) – excitement and spectacular scenery await no matter which direction you choose!
To get you started, here are some of our favourite Parksville/Qualicum must-see sites, sure to please both adults and children alike:
Coombs Old Country Market
A favourite local haunt, no visit to Vancouver Island is complete without a trip to Coombs Market on Hwy 4, famous for their “goats on the roof”. The market offers a vast array of international foods, fresh produce and meats, gifts and treasures, in-store baked goods and ice cream. A number of other gift and specialty shops are also located at this site. Approx. 15 minutes from MBR on Hwy 4A. View website
Craig Heritage Museum
Located just south of Madrona Beach Resort (MBR) in Craig Heritage Park, this museum tells the story of Oceanside’s first European settlers and their rugged life. Just a few minutes from MBR – walking distance, even! View website
Oceanside Community Arts Council
A complex of galleries, teaching studios, and gift shop, all located within an old wooden schoolhouse in downtown Parksville. 5 minutes from MBR. View website
Arrowsmith Potters' Guild
Located in Parkville’s 101-year old train station – the oldest station left on the historic E&N Railway Line – members of the Arrowsmith Potters’ Guild showcase their unique work at the Train Station Pottery Shop. Check their website for classes, workshops, special events and pottery shop hours. 5 minutes from MBR. View website
Tiger Lily Farms
This farm is a special place for kids to visit with its petting zoo and horseback trail rides through the forest. Located in the district of Errington, on the way to Englishman River Falls. Approx. 10 minutes from MBR. View website
Favourite Attractions
More Local Attractions
Morningstar Farm
Nestled in the shadow of Mt. Arrowsmith and home to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and MooBerry Winery, is a favourite family road-trip destination. Take a wagon ride, tour the farm, pet the animals, and taste a selection of world-class wine and cheeses. Approx. 15 minutes from MBR. View website
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
This recovery centre is renowned for its success in rehabilitating injured and orphaned bald eagles, ravens, owls and bears. Their interactive interpretive centre includes hands-on exhibits for an exciting learning experience. Approx. 15 min. from MBR. View website
Butterfly World and Gardens
Stroll through tropical gardens filled with trees, plants, flowers and, of course, thousands of butterflies from around the world. Also located here is Canada’s largest exhibit of orchids and the “Big Bug Jungle”. Approx. 20 minutes from MBR on Hwy 4A. View website
Milner Gardens and Woodland
Rated by Canadian Geographic as one of the top 10 gardens in Canada and visited by members of the Royal Family, Milner Gardens offer 60 acres of winding pathways, gardens and woodland. Enjoy traditional English tea served inside the exquisite heritage house located in the centre of it all. Approx. 20 minutes from MBR on Hwy 19A. View website
Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery
This hatchery plays a critical role in increasing the populations of chum, coho and chinook salmon as well as steelhead and cutthroat trout. In the fall, you can walk along the hatchery’s shoreline trails and watch the salmon spawn. Approx. 25 min. north on Hwy 19A
Local Markets
During your stay at Madrona Beach Resort, you’ll find the community alive with a special energy that comes from the many farmers markets, fairs, festivals and special events in and around Parksville. For a current calendar of community events happening near Madrona Beach Resort, visit the Oceanside Tourism website.
Farmers Markets
Take a trip to a farmers market for unique local art and pottery, as well as fresh produce, meats, fish, cheese, home baking, jams and flowers.
- Summer by the Sea – An open-air market with live entertainment along Craig Street in Parksville, every Tuesday evening from 6-9 pm from July to early September.
- Qualicum Beach Farmers Market – Open every Saturday from 8:30 am – noon from May until Thanksgiving with live music and a pancake breakfast served at the Legion. A special Winter Market is open from Thanksgiving through mid-December.
- Errington Farmers Market – Located in the Errington Community Park, open every Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm, mid-May-mid-September.
Local Markets
Local Fairs & Festivals
Fairs & Festivals
No matter what time of year you visit, you’re sure to find a local fair, festival or special event going on somewhere in Oceanside. Below are a few of our favourites…
Spring
- Brant Wildlife Festival – Celebrate nature and the return of the Black Brant geese as they rest between their wintering areas in Mexico and their nesting grounds in Alaska. March/April
- Fire and Ice Street Festival – Chili cook-offs, ice carving, entertainment and a Kids Zone are featured in this street festival in Qualicum Beach. May
Summer
Parksville Beach Festival – The highlight of every summer in Parksville! This three-week festival includes the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, beach volleyball and croquet tournaments, a bike-a-thon, a classic car show and more. August
Coombs Fair – Visit the oldest agricultural fair in the area that started back in 1913. It features animals, horticulture, art, music and food. August
Coombs Bluegrass Festival – This annual festival is a great opportunity to get your bluegrass music fix, learn about its history, and meet the musicians who keep it alive! The festival is held at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds on Hwy 4 and includes workshops for avid musicians and bluegrass fans alike. Late July/Early August
Bard to Broadway Summer Theatre – Take in a summer theatre performance in The Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach. Check their website for the performance schedule, theatre location and ticket information. Theatre season runs from early July to mid-August
Local Events Calendar
Visit Parksville Qualicum Beach Events Calendar > Click Here
