Telegraph Cove is a hamlet tucked away on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. This North Island's beauty and vastness beg to be explored by as many modes of transportation as possible.
That long ribbon of highway from Victoria (Hwy 1 north) and Nanaimo (Hwy 19 north) to Telegraph Cove is a treat: The roads are wide, straight, well-maintained and beauty jumps out all the way. The scenic Hwy 19A, the Oceanside Route between Parksville and Campbell River is a must. It's marked by the iconic blue starfish signs.
Road to Telegraph Cove
The stretch of highway (North Island 19) out of Campbell River is one of Vancouver Island's most scenic drives, cutting through the pristine wilderness of this spectacularly beautiful, densely forested area. Count on the 2 1/2 hour (202km/126mi) trip from Campbell River to Telegraph Cove to take much longer, courtesy of frequent camera stops. From the North Island Hwy, turn east on to Beaver Cove Road for about 10km/6.5mi, then right on to Shephard's Way.
Continue another 3.6km/2.3mi to Telegraph Cove. Prepare for an instant education into the rugged ways of the logging industry along Beaver Cove Road and Shephard's Way.
Public Transportation
Port McNeill, about 30 minutes to the north of Telegraph Cove, is the regional hub for the northern part of Vancouver Island and the main service town for Telegraph Cove. The Mount Waddington Transit System provides both local bus transportation around Port McNeill and intercommunity transportation, connecting Port McNeill with Telegraph Cove (summer only), Woss, Fort Rupert and Port Hardy.
Air Travel
Pacific Coastal Airlines maintains scheduled service from the modern terminal at Port Hardy Airport (about an hour north of Telegraph Cove) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as well as Victoria, Campbell River and several other Island and mainland communities. Eagle Air offers passenger and freight services on both scheduled and chartered flights in and out of Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Campbell River, Bella Bella and Vancouver. Rental cars are available at the Port Hardy Airport.
Marine Travel
The 140-berth marina at Telegraph Cove can accommodate boats up to7.6m/25ft. Though services such as grocery and liquor stores are available in summer, Port McNeill Boat Harbour is open year-round with both commercial and pleasure berthing available for all sizes of boats. Laundry, shopping, banking, liquor, pharmaceuticals, tackle, repairs, and doctors are all just a short walk away. Silver King Marine provides water taxis out of Port McNeill Harbour.
Maps
For maps and more information on transportation options in Telegraph Cove and the surrounding area, drop by the Port McNeill Visitor Centre.
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