Butchart Garden, Brentwood Bay, the Malahat and Goldstream Park

(a full day trip)

In 1904, the Butchart Gardens (1) began with a desire to beautify the site of a worked-out quarry on the 130 acre estate of Mr and Mrs Butchart. It includes the exquisite Sunken Gardens, once the limestone quarry, as well as the Rose, Japanese and Italian gardens.

A very pleasant day trip by car involves driving up the Pat Bay Highway (Blanshard St./ #17), turning left on to Keating Cross Road and then following it to its end at the Gardens. After leaving the Gardens drive only a few miles on Keating XX to West Saanich Road, turn left and drive into the community of Brentwood Bay (2). Watch for signs to the Mill Bay Ferry (turning left) and take the Ferry across the Saanich Inlet to Mill Bay (25 minute ride). While you wait, there is a good pub/restaurant right at the ferry on the right hand side.
From Mill Bay (3) you can take Highway #1 south to Victoria over the Malahat Pass which provides spectacular lookouts. At the top of the pass is the Malahat Mountain Inn (4), a real find. The unassuming exterior hides a good restaurant with a terrific view of the water. Give it a try!

On the homeward bound drive down the Malahat, you may wish to stop at Goldstream Parkto enjoy the "old growth trees", to climb Mt. Finlayson or to watch the salmon spawning in the Fall. (Over 200 bald eagles nest in the trees in late November and early December, feeding on the fish carcasses.)

Highway #1 leads onto Douglas St. and from it you can turn left onto Fort St. and then right onto Vancouver and back to Scholefield House.

Driving time is about two hours, plus time at Gardens, the Ferry, the Malahat and Goldstream Park (5).

Butchart Gardens opens every day at 9 am. Summer closing is at 10:30 pm, varying at other times of the year.

 

NOTE: Some guests reverse this route so that they can be at the Gardens after 4 pm when most of the tour buses are gone and the crowds are less.

Tour map

Back to Tour Index