The city of Duncan is located south of Vancouver Island. It was established in 1912 and is famous for its totem collection. It is among the largest totem pole collections in the world. The city's official name in 1985 was "City of Totems." City of Totems is a very fitting name, as the city had 44 totem poles in the collection. Unfortunately, one of the poles was destroyed in a traffic accident, and another one was given to Kaikohe.
In May 1862, William Chalmers Duncan (born 1836 in Sarnia, Ontario) arrived in Victoria. He was the man this community was named after. He was one of the hundred settlers that Governor Douglas took to Cowichan Bay. Duncan chose to settle close to the present city of Duncan and got married in 1876 after trying several gold rushes. His son Kenneth grew up to be the first Mayor of Duncan, and now there is Kenneth Street and Duncan Street in the city honouring them.
Duncan's tourist attractions and activities include shops and restaurants, great vineyards, kayaking the rivers and the ocean, hiking the Trans Canada Trail, the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre or farmers' market.
Duncan has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cold winters. The temperature is usually between 23°C (73.4°F) and −1°C (30.2°F).
The best time to visit Duncan is from late spring to summer when the city has its best temperature for several activities.
Take a flight to the Nanaimo Airport and rent a car or take a bus to Duncan.
During summer, Harbour Air has daily seaplane flights to Maple Bay, which is only 11 km (6.8 miles) away from Duncan.
You can take a ferry from Vancouver, Tsawwassen, or Horseshoe Bay to Duke Point or Departure Bay in Nanaimo. Also, you can take a ferry to Swartz Bay, and from there, drive or take a bus to Duncan.
Duncan is full of natural beauties that take a lot of time to explore. The city is known for its unique totem poles. However, there are many other attractions in Duncan, such as Mount Prevost and Bright Angel Park. Duncan Farmer's Market is also situated in Duncan; it is the largest year-round farmers' market on Vancouver Island. Nature and wildlife areas in Duncan are dazzling and rich. The city offers Cowichan Performing Arts Centre with amazing shows, restaurants, pubs, and Duncan Showroom (a live music venue) for entertainment.
Public transportation in Duncan includes buses throughout the city and taxis.
Accommodation in Duncan is spread all around town, but you have better luck if you go looking around the Trans-Canada Highway.
Hotel:
Super 8 by Wyndham Duncan
Ramada by Wyndham Duncan Cowichan Valley
Rosedale Manor
Birds of a Feather Cowichan Valley
Self-Catered Accommodation:
Ormada House Bed and Breakfast
Lidy's Bed & Breakfast Suite
Brierwood Bed & Breakfast
Jacquie Gordon's Bed and Breakfast
Hostel:
Falcon Nest Motel Duncan
Thunderbird Motor Inn
Duncan Motel
Guesthouse:
McLay Heritage Guest House
Holmesdale House
