Port Alberni

Port Alberni is a city of about 18,000 people (2023) in British Columbia. It is at the base of Mount Arrowsmith and is practically surrounded by mountains.

Port Alberni Halal Travel Guide

The town is a major service centre for local, regional, and provincial governments, and a supply centre and hospital for west coast communities like Bamfield, Tofino, and Ucluelet. The natural resources of the area are taking centre stage again, as Port Alberni re-orients itself from logging to tourism. The area's amenities, such as the natural beauty of the area and the opportunities for fishing (marine and freshwater), its convenience as a jumping-off point for new outdoor recreation and ecotourism activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain-biking, lend themselves to these activities very well.

History

Port Alberni and the West Coast of Vancouver Island is the traditional territory of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council. The Nuu-chah-nulth were previously called the Nootka. Many place names in Port Alberni have a Nuu-chah-nulth origin, such as Somass (washing), Kitsuksis (log across mouth of creek), Pacheena (foamy), and Nootka (go around). Ancient petroglyph carvings can be found at Sproat Lake.

In March 1787, Captain Charles William Barkley of the Imperial Eagle, explored Barkley Sound, which now bears his name. Barkley travelled with his 17-year-old bride, Frances Barkley and the first European woman to visit what is now British Columbia.

In 1860 and the Anderson company from England set up a sawmill operation. This was the first mill in B.C. built to export lumber. The mill failed, but several others were established in the 1880s. In 1862, small-scale placer Gold mining took place on China Creek; in the 1890s more Gold mining took place along the Alberni Inlet at China Creek and Mineral Creek. Several Gold veins were found. Exploration for Gold continued over the years with peaks in the 1930s and 1960s.

With ample western red cedar and Douglas fir forests surrounding the valley and the forest industry became the dominant economic force. Large logging operators moved in. Sawmills were built at Alberni, Great Central Lake, and the McLean Mill. By the Second World War, plywood mills and a nascent pulp industry had started. For the next forty years the forest industry reigned supreme.

How is the Climate in Port Alberni

Although the summer months do see a relatively small amount of precipitation and the vast majority of it comes during the winter months as cool, moist air flows from the Pacific Ocean over the much colder B.C. coast. Despite its location on the relatively dryer east side of Vancouver Island and the resulting weak rain shadow is not enough to keep the city dry.

Travel to Port Alberni

The city of Port Alberni is about an hour's drive west of Nanaimo on Highway 4. Those who do not have vehicles can use Tofino Bus to get to the community from Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver. An airport exists, about 20 minutes from the city. However and there is no regular year-round service, because it is not certified for instrument landings, and fog is so prevalent in the winter. Chartered float planes can land in the harbour, and Pacific Seaplanes will soon be providing Flights to and from Vancouver daily.

How to get around in Port Alberni

BC Transit operates three day-time routes and one evening route in Port Alberni (Monday to Saturday, $2 cash fare, free for children under 6).

What to see in Port Alberni

• Salmon Festival - at Thee Landing Opening Hours: first weekend in September $50 per rod - Prizes for largest Salmon caught. Salmon barbecues, organic juice garden, entertainment, karaoke contest.

• The Thunder in the Valley - 4000 Stamp Ave Opening Hours: second weekend in August - Old cars and street legal drag racing.
• Alberni District Fall Fair - ☎ +1 250-723-9313 Opening Hours: Second weekend in September - Entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors, photography, logger sports, motocross, midway, agricultural and horse show.

• Alberni Valley Museum - 4255 Wallace Street 49.2511765, -124.7957852 ☎ +1 250 720-2863 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10AM Monday - 5PM; Thursday 10AM Monday - 8PM - Nuu Chah Nulth art and culture and Port Alberni's industrial roots from logging to fishing and farming. Unique folk art. The Alberni Valley Museum presents the cultural legacy of the community through its collections of artifacts and historic photographs.

• Maritime Discovery Centre - 2750 Harbour Road at the waterfront beside the Harbour Quay ☎ +1 250-723-6164 Opening Hours: Summer: Monday to Friday 10AM Monday - 4PM, Saturday Sunday 9:30AM Monday - 4:30PM; winter: Monday West 11AM Monday - 4PM, Tuesday noon-4PM, Sunday 1PM Monday - 4PM Admission by donation - Constructed from a coastal lighthouse, this is a unique maritime museum. With its companion Hutcheson Gallery this museum is dedicated to exhibiting and interpreting cultural, environmental and industrial maritime history.
• Alberni Pacific Steam Railway - Alberni Pacific Railway Station, 3100 Kingsway 49.23516, -124.81241 ☎ +1 250-723-2118 Opening Hours: May-September certain days departs from Port Alberni 11AM and from McLean Mill at 2:30PM or 3PM. Some special runs October - Dec Round-trip/one-way tickets: adult $36/26, student (1218) $25/15, child (0-11) 1 free per paid adult (extras are $20), family (2 adults & 2 youth 12-18) $95/n.a. All fares include entry to the McLean Sawmill, and are subject to 5% tax and a processing fee Alberni Pacific Railway - You can board the train pulled by a completely restored 1929 Baldwin ex-logging locomotive at the 1912 CPR Station and ride out to the McLean Mill National Historic Site. The track winds through the City of Port Alberni and then the surrounding forests for 35 minutes each way.

• McLean Sawmill National Heritage Museum - 5633 Smith Road 49.3108, -124.8272 ☎ +1 250-723-1376 Opening Hours: Daily 10AM Monday - dusk Adults $0, youth (ages 11-18) $5, child (ages 1-10) free, plus 5% tax McLean Mill National Historic Site A - The only commercial steam-operated sawmill in Canada. The sawmill cuts wood for demonstration and sale. Original buildings and lots of restored logging equipment around the site including a steam donkey, logging trucks, graders, and lumber carriers. Cafe and gift shop.

• Watch salmon jumping at Stamp Falls Provincial Park.
• Taste at either of the two Cafes in the valley.
• Take a day-long cruise down the inlet to see the stunning scenery of Barkley Sound aboard the M.V. Frances Barkley.
• Check out the galleries in the Arts District, or shop at Harbour Quay.

Best things to do in Port Alberni

• Biking: some excellent mountain biking circuits, including winding, ultra-challenging routes. Ask at the Visitor Centre about trails and maps. Alien Sports offers bike rentals and repairs. Ozzie’s Cycle offers bike repairs and sales.
• Golfing: The Alberni Golf Club is an 18-hole PGA course at the foot of the Beaufort Mountains. The 9-hole Hollies Executive Golf Course is an easier course, great for those new to the game.
• Sproat Lake Provincial Park: swimming and camping.
• Canal Beach, 2120 Plywood Dr, offers windsurfing, kite surfing and kayaking.
• Diving: the Alberni Valley has two amazing shore dive spots near Port Alberni: China Creek Wall Dive and Ship Wreck (Chinese Immigrant Ship Wreck).
• Fishing: Port Alberni, commonly called the Salmon Capital of the World, was designated as the World Fishing Network’s first “Ultimate Fishing Town 2010.” Anglers can find an abundance of both river and ocean fishing in the Alberni Valley because the port is at the end of a long arm of the ocean with many rivers flowing in to it.

• West Coast Wild river kayaking, zip-lining, - +1-877-992-9453 - Kayaking in the Kennedy River (2 hr, mid-May to Sep, $57). Ride a thrilling series of ziplines through the canopy of an old growth rain forest then thread through the wild Kennedy River Canyon (mid-Mar to Oct, $106).

• ATV tours - +1-855-666-3343 - West Coast Edge offers half-day and full-day tours ($500 and $700 respectively) of the Nahmint Valley.

Take a Hiking Tour in Port Alberni

Hike one of the many trails around the town and in the mountains.

• The Alberni Lookout for a magnificent view of the entire valley.
• Log Train Trail – A flat and scenic 25-km trail for hiking, cycling and horseback riding that follows an abandoned 1920s-era railway branch line at the foot of the Beaufort Range. It once linked a sawmill to Port Alberni’s waterfront. Access is via the equestrian trail at Mozart Road north of town.
• Stamp River Long Trail – This 7.5-km trail follows the east bank of the Stamp River, and is marked by stretches of moss-covered old-growth firs and cedars.
• Rogers Creek Nature Trail – Great for beginning hikers, this 3-km riverside path is five minutes south of the Visitor Centre off the Port Alberni Highway (#4).
• Mount Arrowsmith – This is one of the most popular mountains on Vancouver Island to climb. Although it is a challenging hike, it is not technical – that is, you don’t need ropes and climbing gear. The mountain has a variety of routes for serious hikers, including the historic 1912 Canadian Pacific Railways trail, a challenging, eight-hour hike. Other routes are shorter and take you higher. The trailheads are reached by following a logging road. Be careful driving it.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Port Alberni

• Alberni Mall 3550 Johnston Road ☎ +1 250-724-5449 - Alberni Mall - Canadian Tire, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Home Hardware, The Brick, Aaron's Furniture, Dollar Tree, and Boston Pizza.

• Pacific Rim Shopping Centre 3555 Johnston Road at the intersection with Cherry Creek Road - Pacific Rim Shopping Centre - - Walmart, No Frills (supermarket) and Staples.

• Ahtsik Native Art Gallery - 7133A Pacific Rim Highway ☎ +1 250-723-3425 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10:30AM Monday - 5PM, Saturday noon-5PM (call to confirm) - A beautiful cedar gallery on the Pacific Rim highway heading out of Port Alberni towards Tofino (Highway 4). Original Northwest Coast Art inside the gallery. In warmer months, you can come and see larger Wood projects being carved just outside the gallery, such as a totem pole.
• Blue Fish Gallery - 2907 2nd Ave ☎ +1 778-419-3474 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11AM Monday - 5PM; June July Aug Dec also Monday 11AM Monday - 5PM - Gift and speciality shop. High quality handcrafted items, pottery, paintings, glass, jewellery, leather bags, locally made soaps, clothing, and global Fair Trade items.

Halal Restaurants in Port Alberni

• Granny's Chicken and Grill/3-for-1 Pizzas - 3675 3rd Ave 49.2426092, -124.8036994 ☎ +1 250-723-6111 | Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 2AM; Friday Saturday 11AM Monday - 4AM - They have the heaviest Pizzas in town, plus selections from Mexican to East Indian. They also have delivery. Chicken, Pizzas, barbeque, burgers, seafood.

• Beijing Grand Restaurant 3274 3rd Ave 49.2368745, -124.8102836 ☎ +1 250-723-8928 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11AM Monday - 10PM; Saturday Sunday 4PM Monday - 10PM
• Pescadores Bistro - 5093 Johnston Road ☎ +1 250-736-1100 Opening Hours: Daily 8AM Monday - 3PM Breakfast or lunch $10-15 - Fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally from the Alberni Valley. Farm fresh veggies, local meats and Pacific Rim seafood are all on the menu when the season allows for it. Healthy, low-fat, vegan and gluten-free options available.

• Boomerangs Cafe - 4833 Johnston Road ☎ +1 250-724-5794 Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 6:30AM Monday - 8PM; Friday Saturday 6AM Monday - 9PM Mains $10-20 - Australian food.
• J & L Drive-In 4422 Gertrude Street ☎ +1 250-723-6331 - 1950s-style drive-in restaurant. Super friendly fast service at your vehicle window. Burgers, fries, onion rings and shakes.
• Bare Bones Fish and Chips 4824 Johnston Road ☎ +1 250-720-0900 Opening Hours: Daily 11:30AM Monday - 7:30PM - It used to be a United Church, now it unites people through fried fish. 3 types of fish, 3 batters (or grilled).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Port Alberni

Port Alberni - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Port Alberni, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Port Alberni. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Port Alberni and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Port Alberni. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Port Alberni. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPort Alberni: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Port Alberni.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Port Alberni: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Port Alberni, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Port Alberni.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Port Alberni, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Port Alberni, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Port Alberni and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Port Alberni, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Port Alberni, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Port Alberni without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Port Alberni is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Port Alberni.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Port Alberni is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Port Alberni, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Port Alberni Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel - 4277 Stamp Ave 49.253899, -124.806941 ☎ +1 250-724-7171 - From $144 . Fitness facility, steam bath, hot tub, heated pool, King Suite, Honeymoon Suite. On-site ports and grill, private secluded sauna and pool.

• The Hospitality Inn - 3835 Redford Street ☎ +1 250-723-8111 - From $120 - In the heart of Port Alberni. Boutique style inn. Covered, outdoor, salt water, heated swimmingpool and hot tub. Fitness facility, hotel dining room, pub, and private stores. Complimentary coffee/tea, outdoor parking, and high speed wireless internet access.

• Riverside Motel - 5065 Roger Street ☎ +1 250-724-9916 +1-800-636-9916 - From $129 - Quiet location, wireless Internet, air conditioning, kitchen suites, coin laundry, wheelchair access, BBQ facilities.

• Cedar Wood Lodge Bed & Breakfast Inn & Conference Center - 5895 River Road ☎ +1 250-724-6800 +1 877-314-6800 - From $109 - 8 guestroom suites featuring either 1 or 2 deluxe queen beds adorned in plush goose-down duvets. Private en-suite bathrooms with Ultra-Spa jetted tubs.

Travel Next

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.