Port Hardy, British Columbia
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Image:Port Hardy, British Columbia Location.png Port Hardy is a small community in British Columbia, Canada located on the north-eastern coast of Vancouver Island. Port Hardy has a population of 4,575 at last census (2001). It is the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park on the northern most tip of Vancouver Island. British Columbia provincial highway 19, which stretches from one end of Vancouver Island to the other, ends in Port Hardy, right near Rotary Park. This explains the town's motto, found on a sign entering town, that reads, "where the highway ends and the adventure begins."
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[edit] Filomi Days
Once a year, Port Hardy holds a celebration in Rotary Park to acknowledge its natural resource based economy. The three syllables, fi, lo and mi, stand for "Fishing, Logging and Mining". The celebration includes festivities in the park such as activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, a dunk-tank, balloons, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks. A dance for each age group and a parade are also held on Filomi Days weekend- typically the 3rd weekend in July.
[edit] Tourism
Despite the available resource based jobs on Northern Vancouver Island, Port Hardy's economy depends greatly on tourism. Ferries to Prince Rupert, British Columbia , another popular tourist destination in British Columbia, depart every other day during peak season. Tourist traffic in the summer is immense, and hotels and restaurants usually find themselves with no room to accommodate all travellers. When travelling to Port Hardy in summer months, be sure to have reservations made well ahead of time with BC Ferries, as well as the hotel or hostel of your choice.
[edit] Wildlife
Arguably the most appealing of Port Hardy's attributes is the abundance of wildlife.
Deer, black bears, bald eagles, squirrels, and many other species of birds and mammals are often spotted along the Quatse Loop Nature Trail or at Storey's Beach which is a short drive from town. Humpback whales can occasionally been seen surfacing in the bay in front of Rotary Park.
Port Hardy has many wildlife charters, fishing charters and places to camp during tourist season, and guests will find that local people are very willing to show off the natural wonders of the North Island.
[edit] Downtown
Despite its rural nature, Port Hardy does have a shopping centre, three 24 hour gas stations, an A&W Franchise, a Subway Franchise, a strip mall including a jeweller, a gym, and pizza, a Ford Dealership, a GMC dealership and several other shops, banks, churches, bars and restaurants. Across from the Thunderbird Inn on Rupert Street is the Thunderbird Mall, where the majority of shopping is done in Port Hardy.
Other worthy sights downtown are the Clocktower, the Seawall, and Rotary Park; which overlooks Hardy Bay, and has a playground for children as well as public washrooms.
Thunderbird Mall |
Clock tower |
The Seagate Wharf in Port Hardy |
Carrot Campaign monument |
