The town was named after vice admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, who held the dying Admiral Nelson in his arms after the battle of Trafalgar. It was built on a site, which according to archaeological findings has been used by man for more than 8000 years. The first white settlers were Alec and Sarah Lyon, who opened a shop close to nearby Port Rupert in 1904.

Port Hardy started to grow, as soon as the Hardy Bay Land Company invited new settlers to the area. Potential homesteaders were promised a prosperous port town with a train station and other amenities. The call was heard in the United States and even in England. However, when the expectant newcomers arrived in town, they soon realized that the invitations were hardly based on truthful descriptions of their new home. Those, who could afford it, soon started to look for another place to settle. But not all were fortunate enough. Some had invested all their belongings in the move and had to make the best of it. 12 families remained and started to build what became Port Hardy. In 1914 it already boasted a school, a mill, a church and a hotel. In 1916 a path connected it with Coal Harbour, and the development of the little village into the most important town in northern Vancouver Island had started.

Turnoff to Port Alice

Turnoff to Zeballos

Nimpkish Valley

A logging road leads to Gold River, a town on the river of the same name, which received its name from Spanish explorers, who tried to find gold in its waters. Today Gold River lies just west of Strathcona Provincial Park.

Elk Falls Mill

Campbell River

Travellers have a choice to follow the new island highway (19), which turns into a four lane highway from here. They can also use highway 19a, which follows the coast. Our route planner describes the second option, which offers interesting stops.

Courtenay is an excellent starting point for excursions up to Mt. Washington (1609 m), which offers good hiking trails during the summer, e.g. the ones at Paradise Meadows. In winter skiing is excellent on the mountain. It boasts the highest snowfall of all ski areas in British Columbia. Excellent long distance skiing. Several lifts. Stay in one of the ski hotels on the mountain, or combine a hotel stay in one of the excellent resorts on the coast with skiing on Mt. Washington.

Parksville