We don’t call ourselves the Best Western "Northgate Inn" for nothing! Being the only hotel located at the popular north end of Nanaimo, we are the gateway for all of your vacation adventures on Vancouver Island. Just look at what you can do when you head North of us!

You don't need to leave Nanaimo - just catch a ferry - to take a day trip to Gabriola Island. The 20-minute car and passenger ferry dock is located right downtown, across from Harbour Park Mall. A gorgeous place to bike around and explore, have lunch or meet the locals, friendly Gabriola Island has a wealth of creative talents to discover.

At the southernmost section of Nanaimo, you will find a quaint little tea-room in a small, character home that keeps attracting interest, and not just for the food. The Calico Cat Tea House offers tea leaf and psychic readings if you book ahead. Browse their selection of local handicrafts and historical photographs. Take in the scenic water views while you relax for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Ever wanted to Bungy Jump? The Bungy Zone is located just minutes south of Nanaimo, in Cassidy. Dare to jump off the 140-foot trestle bridge, try the swing or Flying Fox. The Bungy Zone is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise!

If you want to discover some of the best fly-fishing around and some popular swimming holes, you can access the Nanaimo Lakes from the turn-off at the Bungy Zone on Nanaimo Lakes Road. Be prepared for 45-minutes of driving and some gravel road once you near the first lakes.

Not more than 20 minutes from the Northgate Inn, on the water’s side of Nanaimo’s Airport terminal, is the rural countryside of Cedar and Yellow Point. For a charming way to spend the day, stop by the Crow and Gate Pub for an Olde Engish neighbourhood pub experience.

Only slightly farther than Cassidy, the picturesque town of Ladysmith welcomes you to the 49th Parallel. You see, we really are that close to our southern neighbours! Ladysmith has taken the time and the effort to showcase their lovely heritage buildings on the main street through town. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings – there may even be a gathering at the waterfront amphitheatre that you could take in.

Visit Chemainus, the "Little Town That Did", some 40-minutes south of the Northgate Inn. This scenic seaside town was home to one of British Columbia’s many coastal mills until the forest industry started to downsize. Now, Chemainus is on the map as Canada’s largest permanent outdoor mural gallery. These larger-than-life murals cover almost all of the town’s public buildings and tend to highlight the people of the community and their earlier ways of life.

A quaint little town, Chemainus is now a wonderful place to take in some culture at the Chemainus Theatre. Dinner and fine talents are showcased here.

Take it easy on the islands of Thetis and Kuyper, which are accessed by a 30-minute ferry ride from Chemainus. They are the least populated of the Gulf Islands and you can enjoy hiking, marinas, fishing, cruising and relaxation.

Before you go any further, Crofton is only a few more minutes from Chemainus and is the location of the ferry terminal for a small car and passenger ferry to Saltspring Island, another one of our waters’ beautiful Gulf Islands.

Lake Cowichan and the Cowichan Valley is accessible by taking the turn off just north of Duncan. There are many hiking and biking trails in this area, as well as some wonderful fishing and camping spots.

Duncan, the "City of Totems", is just 45 minutes south of the Northgate Inn. Stop by the B.C. Forestry Museum and experience life as a logger from the 1800’s – ride the steam engine and visit the bunkhouses.

Just south of Duncan lies the seaside community of Mill Bay. A picturesque place to live, it also provides easy access to the Saanich Peninsula. The Mill Bay ferry docks quite close to the world famous Butchart Gardens.