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Port
Alice
The Village of Port Alice is located approximately 53 km (33 miles)
south-west of Port Hardy and 54 km
(34 miles) north-west of Port McNeill.
Hwy
30 Junction Point
To get to Port Alice you have to drive in on Hwy 30 (Rural Road)
from the Port Alice junction point, which is located halfway between
Port Hardy and Port McNeill on Hwy 19. Hwy 30 from the junction
point is generally in good shape and paved the whole way to Port
Alice.
Neroutsos
Inlet
Port Alice is situated on a south-east slope facing picturesque
Neroutsos Inlet. Neroutsos Inlet is part of a larger arm extending
from Quatsino Sound and the west coast of northern Vancouver Island
just south of Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Pulp
Mills
Port Alice's main economic history dates back to 1917 when a series
of pulp mills were built utilizing the transportation link of the
ocean, the large supply of wood fibre plus the abundance of fresh
water found in the area. The pulp mill was the main employer and
operated up until October 2004, then was closed by the owners at
the time, LaPointe Partners, for economic reasons.
Neucel
Specialty Cellulose
Since then Neucel Specialty Cellulose has agreed with the local
union for a long-term solution for the mill to continue to be Port
Alice's main employer. This has been just excellent news for the
residents of Port Alice and, with the recent re-investment of capital
into the pulp mill, Port Alice will continue to be a vibrant community.
Sea
Walk
One thing you'll want to do when visiting Port Alice is to take
a walk along the beautiful sea walk. The wheelchair-accessible walkway
goes along the shoreline of Neroutsos Inlet out along to a scenic
picnic area where you can find wilderness trails near a small point.
Orca
Whale Watching
Port Alice, because of its, approximation with the open Pacific
at Quatsino Sound, makes for excellent fishing and eco-tourism including
whale watching. Orca whales are being constantly seen when out on
the water in Neroutsos Inlet. If you require guiding services there
are a number in the village from which to choose.
Rumble
Mountain Trails
Another area that makes for some good exploring is on the Rumble
Mountain Trail. Here you can find some hiking or mountain biking
trails going through the forest on the side of Rumble Mountain just
above Port Alice.
Rumblefest
One event in June you'll want to include when making plans is the
Port Alice mountain bike race in June called Rumblefest. The race
includes both a downhill circuit and a cross-country phase for both
advanced and beginner riders along some grueling hills. Rumblefest
later concludes on Marine Drive with a salmon barbeque at Rumble
Beach followed by a dinner and dance.
Port
Alice Golf & Country Club
Port Alice is home to a very challenging 9-hole municipal golf course
called Port Alice Golf & Country Club. The course features a
couple of small creeks, very tight greens and some ponds intermixed
through the trees. Telephone: (250) 284-3213. If you're going to
Port Hardy, there is also the 7-Hills municipal golf course.
Link
River Regional Park & Campsite
Located where the Link River flows in Alice Lake is the Link River
Regional Park. Here you can find 22 non-serviced rustic campsites,
a swimming beach, a boat launch and a very nice day-use picnic ground
that contains some covered barbeque pits. Please remember there
are no stores around here, so pack in all your supplies including
drinking water.
Victoria
Lake
There is also another rustic picnic ground close to Alice Lake at
nearby Victoria Lake. Victoria Lake has no services whatsoever but
features great Char, Dolly Varden, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow and Cutthroat
Trout fishing. Usually the best time to fish Victoria Lake is in
the spring or fall using trolling methods.
Caving
For cavers Port Alice has three options in the nearby area to explore,
called Devil's Bath, Eternal Fountain and Vanishing River. The feature
of these caves, especially Devil's Bath, is the existence of some
very large sinkholes in the limestone (cenotes). Please check at
the local visitor info centre for information, directions and conditions
of the caves.
Cape
Scott Provincial Park
Port Alice is also close to Cape
Scott Provincial Park just north of the small forestry community
of Holberg. To get here you have to drive towards Port Hardy then
take the forest service road towards Holberg. Other areas around
Cape Scott Provincial Park worth exploring are out towards San Josef
and Winter Harbour.
Cougars
and Bears
The forest and bush around Port Alice is very beautiful with lots
of trails and roads found throughout the area. One thing you'll
want to be on guard for is the possible encounter with cougars,
bears or the possible wolf. Be prepared and always watch your children
and pets when exploring the immediate area.
Travelling
on Logging Roads
If you happen to be travelling on some of the backroads around Port
Alice please respect the fact that you'll have to use logging roads.
Large vehicles and heavy equipment are constantly encountered giving
off dust storms in their trail. Always be cautious, have your lights
on and make sure you pull over and give them all the room you can.
Fuel can be found at Port Alice Petroleum Products located on Industrial
Way.
Accommodation
For other accommodation in the Port Alice area, there is the full-service
Port Alice RV Park & Campground sometimes referred to locally
as Ozzieland. Telephone: (250) 284-3422. For hotels try the Quatsino
Chalet Hotel. Telephone: (250) 284-3338. There is also the Inlet
Haven Bed & Breakfast.
Information
on Port Alice
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