Duncan (British Columbia)

By car

Duncan is on Trans-Canada Highway 1 roughly halfway between Nanaimo and Victoria, a 30-45 minute drive from either city.

By bus

• Tofino Bus, through its Vancouver Island Connector, has four times daily service to Nanaimo and Victoria. Pickups/drop-offs are at the , 180 Central Rd.
• Islandlink Bus also has four times daily service to Nanaimo and Victoria. Pickups/drop-offs are at the , 120 Canada Ave.
• BC Transit operates routes between Duncan and Chemainus (Route 6) and Ladysmith (Route 36), departing from the train station and Village Green Mall. Departures to Ladysmith are 3-4 times per day on weekdays and twice on Saturday. Departures to Chemainus are 7 times per day on weekdays and 2-3 times per day on weekends. Cost is $2.25. Route 66 is a commuter bus service to Victoria that leaves Duncan four times in the morning and returns from Victoria four times in the late afternoon. Cost is $10.

Having your own car is the most convenient way to get around Duncan.
The Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System (operated by BC Transit) has a number of bus routes servicing Duncan and nearby communities. It can get you close-ish to attractions but service on many routes is infrequent with buses often over an hour apart. The fare is $2.25.

• BC Forest Discovery Centre

  phone: +1 250-715-1113
  address: 2892 Drinkwater Rd
  Indoor and outdoor exhibits on logging, including a reconstructed logging camp and steam train rides. The site also includes trails, a playground, picnic tables, gift shop and concessions.

• Pacific Northwest Raptors

  phone: +1 250-746-0372
  address: 1877 Herd Rd
  Conservation, research and educational facility on birds of prey with eagles, owls, hawks, falcons and vultures. The entrance fee lets you tour the facility, hear from the biologists and falconers who work there and see the flying demonstration (1-3 times per day, depending on the time of year). Additional activities available for a fee.
• Totem poles - Duncan is nicknamed the City of Totems, with over 40 totem poles in town.

• World's Largest Hockey Stick

  address: 2687 James St
  Commissioned for Expo 86, this wooden and steel replica of a hockey stick and puck is on display outside the local arena. Measuring 205 ft and weighing 61,000 lb, it is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest hockey stick in the world.

• Alderlea Farm Cafe

  phone: +1 250-597-3438
  address: 3390 Glenora Rd
  Cozy restaurant in a converted barn. Menu features produce and meat from the farm, and freshly baked desserts. Drinks include a number of local craft beers and wines. A specialty is the wood-fired oven baked pizzas only available on Sundays after 4PM.

• Craig Street Brew Pub

  phone: +1 250-737-2337
  address: 25 Craig St
  Pub-style restaurant with large menu covering appetizers, smaller plates, sandwiches, burgers and entrees.

• Hudson's on First

  phone: +1 250-597-0066
  address: 163 First St
  An old heritage home converted to a restaurant. There are lunch, brunch and evening menus, which include steak and frites, tartine, pasta, fish and seafood options.

• Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn

  phone: +1 250-748-2722
  address: 6459 Norcross Rd
  Rooms with one or two beds, and include coffee/tea maker, fridge and free Wifi. There's also a restaurant, small exercise room and business center.

• Thunderbird Motor Inn

  phone: +1 250-748-8192
  address: 5849 York Rd
  Queen, king and double queen rooms, and include a coffee maker and free Wifi. There's also a restaurant and business center on-site.

• Salt Spring Island is a short ferry ride from nearby Crofton (from Herd Rd go north on Osborne Bay Rd). There are artist studios, farms and the weekly market in spring, summer and fall.
• West on BC Highway 18 (or bus route #7) is Lake Cowichan, with a number of outdoor activities in the area.