Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a house full of everything nostalgic to you. These objects could tell you stories about families, lives, and the community. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, Point Ellice House was built between 1861 and 1862 for Catherine and Charles Wallace. The house is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway, which gives it a good view. The architects of the house, John Wright & George Sanders, chose an Italianate Villa-style design popular in the nineteenth century. The Point Ellice beautiful garden area is about two acres (0.8 hectares) with both vegetable and cut flowers in the southern portion of the gardens' property. There is also a small fruit orchard and a greenhouse. The south garden provided food and year-round flowers for the O'Reilly family; it was called the working garden for Point Ellice House.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens Location
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is located at 2616 Pleasant St, Victoria, Vancouver Island. There are three breweries around the house: Moon Under Water Brewpub, Ile Sauvage Brewing Co., and Distillery and Driftwood Brewery. It would be great visiting them and trying their products. You can find great restaurants in the area if you want to have a meal after visiting the house. Among them are Glo Restaurant + Lounge and Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. BoulderHouse Climbing is a climbing gym that is also close. Since the house is by Rock Bay, you can always walk along the water and relax.
How to Get to Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens by Car
From Victoria:
The fastest route from downtown Victoria to Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is Government St and Bay St. It is 1.8 km (1.1 miles) and takes about 5 minutes.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St and drive 99 m (324.8 ft). Turn right onto Government St, and after 800 m (2624.6 ft), turn left onto Bay St. Continue for 700 m (2296.5 ft) more and turn right onto Pleasant St. Destination will be on the left, and by going 180 m (590.5 ft), you will reach Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens.
From Nanaimo: Getting to Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 110 km (68.3 miles) and takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.4 ft). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S to Burnside Rd W in Saanich. Take the Burnside Rd exit from Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and drive 106 km (65.8 miles). Continue on Burnside Rd W and go to Pleasant St in Victoria. After 3.4 km (2.1 miles), you will reach Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens.
History of Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens
In 1863, Peter O'Reilly married Caroline Trutch, and a few years later, they moved into Point Ellice House in December 1867. In 1975, their descendant John and his wife Inez sold the house and its collections to the Province of British Columbia before that the house had been in the O'Reilly family's possession for 108 years.
Things to do around the Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens Area
Your best option is to head downtown; however if you decide to stick around, here are the activities that you can do. Go to one of the parks in the area, such as Selkirk Green Park and Topaz Park and have a picnic or a peaceful stroll. You can dine in many restaurants nearby, including some international ones like Szechuan City Restaurant & Buffet and Vietnam House Restaurant. A few grocery stores like Fairway Market, a department store, and Bed Bath & Beyond are close to the house, so browsing them would be a good way to spend time. You can visit The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) Regimental Museum.
The Best Gardens Near Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
The exotic flora, Japanese Maples, native Garry oaks, splendid rhododendrons of Abkhazi Garden makes it a must to visit when you are in Victoria. Walking and frolicking through this peaceful garden is delightful, especially in the spring and summer, when the flowers are blooming. The pond is full of turtles and Koi, and there is a teahouse perfect for afternoon tea.
Finnerty Gardens is a woodland garden in Victoria. With more than 500 species, it has one of Canada's best and largest collections of rhododendrons. Finnerty Gardens has wide trails with lots of room for everyone, even on busy days. This botanical garden is open year-round, with paths, ponds, and benches but the best time to visit is May or April.
Did you get fascinated before by a beautiful place that makes you stand steel? The pleasure of watching colourful butterflies from various spices and other creatures in a beautiful garden, the smell which lifts your mood, and the fresh air all feel like you are in a dreamland. If you love walking through a tropical area and are tired of boring visits, don't skip Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
Visiting the Butchart Gardens is an outstanding experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Being in a dreamy atmosphere where colours surround you would refresh your soul. This colourful display is a gem in Victoria, designated by the National Historic Sites of Canada, with a landscape of flowers, trees, grass, sculptures, and fountains.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens Activities
Hiking
The closest hiking area is Bridge Way, right on top of Beacon Hill Park. The park is 3.5 km (2.1 mi) to the southeast of the Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens.
Boating (motorized boat)
Hot Tub Boat Victoria is a boat rental service 1.9 km (1.1 mi) to the southeast of the Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens.
Fishing
Last Chance Fishing Adventures is 1.9 km (1.1 mi) away to the south. It is the closest spot for fishing.
Kayaking, Stand Up Paddling
Fairway Gorge Paddling Club is 1.1 km (0.68 mi) to the north and is the closest paddling spot.
Wildlife Viewing/ Bird Watching
Beacon Hill Park is a proper choice for wildlife viewing, or you can go whale watching.
Jetski
Sports Rent is a sports equipment rental service maybe you can find jet ski there. It is 1.4 km (0.8 mi) to the southeast.
Swimming
For swimming, the closest place is Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre, which is 1.8 km (1.9 mi) to the east at Central Park.
Sunbathing
One of the beautiful beaches for sunbathing is Esquimalt Lagoon, which is 12.6 km (7.8 mi) to the west.
Camping
Group campsites and Fort Victoria RV Park are some of the best campgrounds in the area.
What you Can Expect to Do Near Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens
Wear decent hiking boots for a moderate hiking trail near Sooke. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an enjoyable trail that leads you to Grass Lake and featuring Monument Mountain makes it possible to have amazing views from the top. Doing the Grass Lake Trail overnight and camping by the lake turns it into a memorable trip. Enjoy the trail in warmer seasons and get a dip into the lake.
It is time to put your heart into hiking and step into a moderate multi-use trail with some great views along the way and on top. Mount Manuel Quimper has a beautiful summit worth the climb, which gives you excellent vistas of Sooke Harbour and a chance to visit one of the last fire lookouts left on the island.
Here is a highly recommended and well-marked trail for challenges enthusiasts. Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails offers you insane 360° views of the Sooke Basin, Victoria, and San Juan Islands.
Extraordinary opportunities to make your diving experience memorable in the heart of Greater Victoria, including high-ranked spots for diving. These spots provide you with inevitable diving opportunities which allow you to explore the alien underwater world of Victoria's waters saturated with magnificent creatures. Do not miss it for the world.
Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.
Start your whale watching journey with Van Isle Marina, a critical marine zone on Vancouver Island, capable of serving 200 boats simultaneously, which has made it an ideal destination for the fans of whale watching. There is a high chance to observe other sea creatures other than whales.
As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.
You would better plan a visit to Cabin Point Coastline between April-September. It is the best time for those preparing for Sooke Whale Watching in one of the famous coastlines for it in the Salish sea. You are given adequate opportunity to gaze upon these marvellous sea creatures.
Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.
Spirit Bay has a rich community offering settlings for whale watching lovers beside incredible wildlife; therefore, it would be an excellent point to start your Sooke Whale Watching. Plus, it has a cute beach. You cannot get over the beauty of it and its scenic views.
Featuring wildflowers and fantastic sceneries, Creyke Point Trail is a suitable spot for whale watching, bird watching, and nature trips with splendid beaches and forests. So if you are having a great time in Sooke, remember to stop by Creyke Point to have more fun.
Located in the heart of Victoria and adjacent to many whale watching operators, Victoria Harbour Ferry is a starting point for your whale watching tour. Many visitors come here to watch whales annually; not only whale watching but open waterways of Salish make Victoria Harbour Ferry a remarkable place for anglers, wildlife followers and daily tourists.
Due to certified whale watching agencies, Fisherman's Wharf Park is a significant place to visit for whale watching enthusiasts. As one of the most prodigious and phenomenal creators worldwide, whales are ample during specific whale watching seasons.
Featuring Victoria Harbour and West Bay, Esquimalt could be your starting point for whale watching in Victoria. You can also have the pleasure of watching sea lions, seals, porpoises, and a wide variety of marine birds are other stunning creators that may be highly admirable to wildlife watching fanatics.
Cattle Point is a part of Uplands Park in Victoria, runs along the coastline of Oak Bay. During falls and winters, especially November through March, the Cattle Point Storm Watching is an exhilarating experience. Watch storms smashing from spectacular vantage points as dark clouds blanket the sky, rains whipping, gusts of winds making barreling high waves.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens Outline
Specifications
Climate
Timing
1. The numbers are estimated on average for Victoria.
Disclaimer
Vanislander provides information for general reference only. We do not assume responsibility for any changes, cancellations, or modifications made by third parties. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official websites or social media channels of the respective organizers or businesses.
What you Can Expect to See Near Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens
For over 100 years, Shawnigan Lake has been a favorite destination, providing cottages for get-away weekends. Besides tourists, people from both Victoria and Nanaimo can spend quality time with their friends and families, it can somehow be considered as the midpoint of Nanaimo and Victoria.
Mount Douglas Beach is one of the fantastic beaches that you can visit on Vancouver Island. Go there at sunset for an experience of peace, Mount Douglas is a small beach, but at low tide, the water opens a wide area, and you will able to see Marine life on the beach.
Nestled within East Sooke Regional Park, Iron Mine Bay is a rugged, lesser-known coastal paradise on southern Vancouver Island. Famous for its pebbly shoreline, dramatic cliffs, and historical copper mining roots, this bay offers a raw, untouched escape for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. Located just 45 minutes from Victoria, Iron Mine Bay is part of a 1,400-hectare park that blends lush old-growth forests with jaw-dropping ocean vistas of the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Elk Lake is a serene freshwater oasis nestled on Vancouver Island, offering visitors a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. Located on Victoria, Vancouver Island ,BC. this picturesque lake is ideal for swimming, water sports, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Whether you're planning a peaceful day trip or an extended camping adventure, Elk Lake is a must-visit destination that promises stunning landscapes and a host of recreational activities.
Gonzales Beach, located in the heart of Victoria, BC, is a hidden gem along the southern coast of Vancouver Island. This tranquil urban beach offers soft sandy shores, stunning ocean views, and a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle. Known for its breathtaking sunsets, warm summer waters, and accessibility, Gonzales Beach is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day under the sun, a scenic stroll, or a place to launch your kayak, this charming beach has something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from how to get there, the best activities, nearby accommodations, and essential travel tips to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Spiral Beach in Victoria is where the blue of the sea and sky and the Olympic Mountains at a distance is situated in a perfect picture. There are hills along the beach to stand on for a wide view. Walk on the sands and pebbles with the driftwoods around on the beach. Listen to the waves, walk on the shoreline, and have the storm watching pleasure in the fall and winter.
McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.
Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.
Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
Sooke is known as the Tall Tree Capital of Canada. The area's popularity is mainly based on tourists visiting the wilderness parks, hiking the West Coast Trail and the extremely popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Sooke is also famous for its beaches and is a destination for cycling and mountain biking. The arts community of Sooke is vibrant and hosts the annual Sooke Fine Arts Festival.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria or AGGV is home to artworks from talented artists of Canada and Asia. The building complex of the gallery includes the Spencer Mansion and the exhibition galleries. It also has gardens with a Japanese Shinto shrine. The art gallery is kid-friendly, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The gift shop has gorgeous merchandise.
Located in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is one of Canada's most significant cultural and historical treasures. It showcases natural wonders and includes artifacts, documents, specimens, and everything slightly relevant to British Columbia's natural and human history. The museum also provides a dynamic forum and a safe space for discussion and reflection.
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Author: Nila Abasian
2025 April 17
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