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History
Mill Bay was established in the 1860s, twenty years after Victoria was founded. Many of the settlers in Mill Bay arrived in 1862, when the HMS Hecate came to the Cowichan Bay area from England. According to written records, the standard payment to the natives for settlement land was two blankets.
Mill Bay was the location of a power-generating station for Henry Shepard's sawmill. An American industrialist named W. Sayward turned the mill into one of the major industries in the area. Cowichan Lake was too far into the wilderness at the time, but eventually logging spread into the area as well. Mill Bay continued to be the hub of the industry for a number of years. Logs had to be dragged by oxen in a process called 'skidding'.
Location
Mill Bay is located on the southeast shore of Vancouver Island, about 41 kilometres (26 miles) north of Victoria. BC Ferries operates a regularly scheduled service from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula.
Places to See
- Mill Bay Nature Park
Mill Bay Nature Park is approximately seven and a third acres and was purchased with the aid of a GO BC Grant in 1989. The park features walking trails, picnic sites, a beach walk, a spawning creek, and a viewing platform overlooking Mill Bay. Seabirds congregate on the shallow muddy waters of a broad intertidal beach.
- Bamberton Provincial Park
For years the warm waters surrounding Vancouver Island's Mill Bay have been a popular destination for local salmon fishers. The inviting water and the 225-meter long sandy beach have also made nearby Bamberton Provincial Park an ideal spot for parents to bring their families.
While the kids frolic in the warm waves, parents can lounge in the sand and enjoy the views across the inlet - to the east are the shores of the Saanich Peninsula, with the southern Gulf Islands and Mt. Baker beyond. Rising sharply to the west are the mountains of south Vancouver Island.
Fronting on the west side of Saanich Inlet, of particular interest in this park is the abundance of arbutus trees, identified by its thick, leathery green leaves, reddish trunk and peeling bark. The arbutus is Canada's only broadleaf evergreen and is found only on Vancouver Island and the lower coast of mainland British Columbia.
A vehicle accessible campground is nestled in this forest environment, where eagles and osprey can be seen circling high above. Waterfowl and seals are frequent visitors to the surrounding waters.
The park is very popular in the summer months, and can be busy as well in June, when a number of nearby schools make field trips to study the intertidal life on the beach. With Victoria just a 30-minute drive south over the scenic Malahat Drive, Bamberton is within easy reach of many tourist attractions. You can also hop on the Mill Bay ferry for the 25-minute trip to Brentwood Bay and visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens.
- Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre
The Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre offers guests an authentic First Nations Experience: interpretive tours, traditional art work, and Native cuisine in the Riverwalk Cafe. The centre is on 6 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds along the banks of the Cowichan River (a designated BC Heritage River) just off the Trans Canada Highway, minutes from the Duncan city centre.
The QCCC offers a truly unique experience, sharing the stories and traditions of the Cowichan people from hundreds of years ago. It is a world of colour and pageantry, where first nations talent and pride are abundant. The centre is committed to a culture of warmth and sharing, to bridge the gaps that exist between cultures and promote Native culture in a positive way.
- BC Forest Discovery Centre
Explore this 100-acre living museum, just 15-kilometres south of Chemainus. Along with the train, playground and interpretive trails, there are a wealth of exhibits indoors and out.
Kids are fascinated by the dioramas in the Glynne Jones building. There is an 1880s logging camp, complete with two blacksmith shops and a school, and that's just the beginning.
In the Welcome Museum, you will find state of the art interactive exhibits and displays of yarders, speeders, putt-putts, treen, and more! Have your picture taken beside "Little Jakey"!
Visit the heritage sawmill or check out the antique vehicles building. The logging truck display on the Lower Grounds displays vehicles from as far back as 1890. Ride the train past the Restoration Shops and on your way back, be sure to check out the Lookout Tower and the Koksilah Ranger Station.
Ride the Discovery Train and ask the conductor what the train whistle means. Visit the indoor & outdoor exhibits and climb the Lookout Tower for a great view.
Enjoy a snack from the concession or picnic by the playground. And don't forget to check out the gift shop for a great choice of souvenirs!
Things to Do
- Tour the Vineyards and Cideries
Mill Bay marks the beginning of the vineyards and cideries of the Cowichan Valley, featuring five top vineyards and wineries. Make a little room in your cellar for the wines and ciders of the Cowichan Valley!
- Golf
Golfers have a few golf courses in the area to choose from: Cowichan Golf and Country Club in Duncan, Duncan Meadows Golf Course, Mount Brenton Golf Course in Chemainus, and Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club in nearby Cobble Hill.
- Fishing
The Cowichan River is renowned for its brown trout, rainbow and steelhead trout, and its vigorous salmon runs. Chinook, coho, and steelhead that school in Cowichan Bay enter the river to spawn in November and December. There's also a steelhead run in March.
- Biking
What better way to see and feel the Cowichan than by bike. If you'd like something fairly challenging try the trails of Mount Tzouhalem, Spectacle Lake Provincial Park or Maple Mountain. There is also a three-hour easy ride from Glenora (southwest of Duncan) to the town of Lake Cowichan along the Trans Canada Trail. The Trans-Canada Trail is also accessible from Shawnigan Lake and includes Koksilah River Provincial Park and views of the Kinsol Trestle. Take a wine country tour for a more leisurely pace where you will see rolling farmland and beautiful scenery. For the novice there are many easy biking opportunities in all communities by keeping to the country roads.
- Kayaking
Discover nature's treasures by sea kayak - come eye to eye with an array of fascinating marine life. Relax your mind and soul on a leisurely tour over emerald waters among seals, cormorants and kingfishers. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the power and majestic beauty of the West Coast, guides will lead on a multi-day excursion.
- Hiking
From peaceful, easy walks to rugged climbs, the Cowichan countryside offers an abundance of hiking opportunities for all levels of hikers. The Trans-Canada Trail, the Cowichan River Corridor, and provincial parks offer gorgeous scenery and spectacular views.
- Boating / Sailing
Whether you prefer the ocean or a lake, the Cowichan Region is a boater's paradise. From kayaking along the rocky shores of a bay to sailing the briny ocean, the waterways are both beautiful and accessible. Full service marinas are safe and conveniently located close to restaurants, pubs, and shopping areas.
Events
- Brentwood Rowing Regatta
Hosted by Brentwood College, the Regatta features a series of rowing competitions between high school teams from all over the world.
- Cowichan Goes Country
A fabulous annual country music festival featuring plenty of great music and line dancing.
- Art Affair
Featuring the best of the South Cowichan artisans and galleries, along with music and refreshments.
- The Great Lake Walk
The Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon is a 56-kilometre walk or run around beautiful Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island. This walking/running event takes place on the third Saturday in September each year.
Cowichan Lake is the second largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island on the West Coast of British Columbia. The lake runs from the northwest to the southeast and empties into the world famous Cowichan River in the Town of Lake Cowichan.
- Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival
The Annual Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival celebrates Vancouver Island wines, culinary excellence, and original music and art. For three days, the wineries and farms of the Cowichan Region invite wine and culinary aficionados to their doorsteps to experience the best of the region firsthand.
- Paddlefest
Paddlefest is a weekend-long festival with activities and events for paddlers of all ages and paddling abilities. Located at Transfer Beach in beautiful Ladysmith, British Columbia, participants can attend this free event and enjoy a variety of activities including vendor/trade show, workshops, demonstrations and fun activities.
There are on-land and on-water workshops offered both Saturday and Sunday to help you hone your paddling strokes, pack your boat, practice rescue techniques and many other helpful tips.
The industry's leading manufacturers, retailers, and outfitters will have booths set up for you to check out the latest gear and pick up a few festival "deals". A full range of 100 boats of different makes and models will be on-hand for you to take a "test-paddle" of the latest technology and designs.
With participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Washington State, Alberta and even Ontario attending in the past - there will be lots to talk about!
Contact Information
South Cowichan Chamber of Commerce
#368-2720 Mill Bay Road
Mill Bay, BC V0R 2P1
Telephone: 1-250-743-3566
Fax: 1-250-743-5332
E-mail: info@southcowichanchamber.org
Website: www.southcowichanchamber.org/
Tourism Cowichan
Website: http://visit.cowichan.net/
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