This Christmas holidays we wanted to explore parts of BC we have yet to see, which is why we decided to visit Qualicum Beach. We wanted to explore towns north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and Horne Lake Caves has been left unchecked on our To-Do list for far too long. We found a quaint little A-frame cabin on AirBnB called Stone’s Throw Cottage.
With our luck, our schedule coincided with Mother Nature’s plans as a wind storm was hitting Vancouver and Vancouver Island. We left early Friday morning as we knew many ferries were cancelled the day before due to the strong winds. Luckily, it wasn’t windy on our day of travel – but we found out much of Qualicum and Parksville area was without power and running water! We decided to go ahead with our trip anyways as we thought it would add to the rustic feel of the cabin – and it would be such a shame to cancel because of this first-world problem.
Our hosts were very lovely. They made sure that we were as comfortable as we could be despite not having power. They brought us extra blankets, a rug for the kitchen, rain water to flush the toilet and many, many flashlights. We hunkered down for the night, cooking dinner on the barbeque and huddling together in the upstairs bedroom playing games. Turns out that four people and a dog can generate quite a bit of warmth in a little A-frame bedroom!
As much as we enjoyed the rustic experience, the power was thankfully restored on the second day! Having the lights on allowed me to take a few photos of the delightful cabin and for us to appreciate all the small details of the A-frame that we otherwise wouldn’t have. Our hosts put some really nice touches to the cottage including all the Christmas decorations to make it feel really homely and festive.
Unfortunately due to the storm, Horne Lake Caves was closed for the entirety of our stay. Although we didn’t get our caving experience, it did give us an opportunity explore more of Qualicum beach and the surrounding areas. Here are some of the places we visited:
- Love Shack Libations, Qualicum – a super chill nano-brewery. We chatted with the owner and he definitely brings a personal touch to all his beer. I’d highly recommend visiting if you’re ever in the area and checking out their story.
- The Farmhouse Restaurant, Parksville – a cozy diner with a delicious brunch menu. Their staff were all very friendly and welcoming, giving us a place of refuge when we were without power.
- Morning Star Farm, French Creek (between Parksville and Qualicum) – Little Qualicum Cheeseworks & Mooberry Winery. You can buy fancy cheese, fresh milk and fine fruit wines, as well as check out all the animals on the farm!
We were too cold and wet to check out the hikes around Qualicum Beach, but I guess we’ll have to return to the area next time!
If you have other suggestions on places to see, things to do or quaint cabins to stay in near Qualicum Beach, please comment below.
