Activities

The City of Parksville is part of the Oceanside Community, which includes Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Errington and Coombs. Each area of Oceanside offers unique and exciting year-round attractions for the whole family to explore.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the wide variety of recreational activities available in the Parksville and Oceanside area. Tee off at one of six local golf courses, open year-round in this mild temperate climate. Experience natural beauty up close as you stroll or cycle along one of the area’s many ocean, forest and mountain trails. Or try something completely new and go caving at nearby Horne Lake Caves, voted “Best Natural Outdoor Site in BC” by Attractions Canada.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Making plans for activities that match your vacation are simple with the wide variety of local attractions. With romantic gardens to explore, mini golf challenges for the whole family or a unique tour through a local cheese farm, try something fun or new that creates lasting vacation memories. Please note some attractions are seasonal – call ahead for their hours of operation.

Milner Gardens and Woodland
Spread over 60 beautiful acres beside the ocean, Milner Gardens has been a popular local attraction for residents and visitors to the Oceanside area for generations. Visit the beautiful gardens and walk through the forested trails with old growth Douglas firs and cedars. Make sure to leave time to enjoy Milner’s afternoon tea in the Camilla Tea Room, located in the drawing room of the historic Milner House.

Paradise Adventure Mini Golf and Bumper Boats
Paradise Mini Golf is an exciting adventure, with two ¼ scale 18 hole courses featuring cascading waterfalls, a full rigged pirate ship, treasure cave, watermill, lighthouse, a Victorian mansion and more. Paradise’s bumper boats are sure to help cool everyone off on a hot day with their 10 boats featuring water cannons.

Bard to Broadway Theatre
An annual summer theatre event for almost a decade, Bard to Broadway has become a popular theatrical choice on Vancouver Island with its exciting line up of classical and modern plays. Skilled regional actors and new talent work in harmony to give excellent performances that keep audiences cheering for more.

Little Qualicum Cheese Works
This working farm invites visitors to take a self-guided tour around the property, viewing the cow herd and other animals of the farm. The cheese store offers an impressive variety of local cheeses with exceptional flavour. Sample them all before choosing your favourites to take home.

Tiger Lily Farm
Bring the kids and explore life on a farm in nearby Errington. Children are encouraged to get to know the farm animals and even help out at feeding time. Admission includes one pony ride per child, so saddle up for a memorable ride. Tiger Lily Farm also offers guided trail rides through the beautiful forests of the area and riders will enjoy learning more about this fascinating ecosystem from their educated guide.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
This non-profit association rescues injured birds and animals, helping to heal, rehabilitate and, when possible, release them back into the wild. The centre features a public viewing area, Museum of Nature and Wildlife Learning Centre, the largest eagle flight cage of its kind in Canada and on-site resident educational birds who live at the centre and take part in live presentations.

Oceanside Place
Indoor skating and swimming in Oceanside is a pleasure for the entire family with these two well-maintained facilities. Oceanside Place in Parksville features two NHL regulation sized rinks and a children’s ‘skating pond’.

Ravensong Aquatic Centre
Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach features a 25 metre short course Olympic pool, a children’s leisure pool, large whirlpool, a Nordic dry sauna and Finnish steam room.