Perry Mack photo
Rondalyn RV Resort
by Melissa MacDougall
The exploration of Vancouver Island is a time honoured tradition that takes travelers to backwoods playgrounds, sand, surf and an eclectic mix of old and new. From the Zero Mile mark of Victoria to the breathtaking vistas of Tofino, Vancouver Island is host to some of the most impressive leisure and cultural opportunities in Western Canada.
There are plentiful bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels all up and down both coast-lines (East and West), but for many from the Victoria area, Rondalyn Resort, is a favourite. Spanning an incredible 35-acres of natural, wooded property, RV travelers are treated to tranquility and leisure. Class A motor home-friendly, this beautiful park is open year round, ensuring travelers can partake in the splendor of Vancouver Island through all four seasons.
Boasting a stay-and-play type atmosphere, Rondalyn Resort offers guests a seemingly endless supply of adventure, from its heated salt-water pool and spa to its par-3 golf course to horseback riding.
“We get clientele coming in year round,” says co-owner, Marilyn Johnson, “Regulars always come from Victoria, but we also get repeat customers coming from Alberta and Ontario. It's a family park – one of few around – the kids really like the pool and the trout pond. Another one of the favourites here is the par-3, nine-hole golf course – the longest drive is 54 yards, so the young ones can get out there and have a ball too. It's only $5 for nine holes so often kids who come in never having golfed before, leave with a love for the game.”
Situated next to the gurgling Haslam Creek, visitors are engaged by the calmness of the surrounding area while being close enough to amenities to allow easy access for discovery. Just nine miles south of Nanaimo, the perfectly situated Rondalyn Resort puts travelers where they need to be, when they need to be there.
It’s virtually impossible to leave unmoved. Here, at the right time of year, you can watch salmon spawn in the the natural beauty of Haslam Creek creek, set amongst the towering forest reserve; walk nature trails that are unparalleled in their beauty and tranquility, or fish in the stocked trout pond that is replenished with about 200 trout every year.
Other features include pull-through sites, cabin rental, wireless internet, 30 amp hook-up, laundry, outdoor country kitchen and vast amounts of hiking.
Chemainus, a small town not twenty minutes drive away from Rondalyn, offers a self-guided tour through the murals of the quaint village. Victoria, on the other hand, offers Fort Street - a Mecca for antique shopping - while the Inner Harbour and Market Square both offer a lively, cultural atmosphere.
North of Rondalyn Resort, lay the beaches of Parksville, Qualicum, and Tofino. Scented by the fresh smell of salted air, these impressive sandy shores excite visitors with their beautiful surf. Whether searching for seashells, building sand castles or watching for oceanic life, the picturesque coastlines allow limitless activity. Coombs, an approximate 40 kilometres from Nanaimo, is notorious for its Country Market, jammed-pack full of intriguing finds, delicious food and its infamous roof-top goats. Buzzing with a unique feeling that emanates through its quirky shops, Coombs is home to potters and artists alike.
Centrally located at mid-island, Rondalyn Resort allows visitors the best of both worlds. From whale watching and the West Coast Trail to urban shopping districts and delicious local fare, Rondalyn Resort is ideal for any Vancouver Island retreat.