Visitor Info

visitor info

for those coming from out-of-town

FESTIVAL SCHEDULING:

Wonderment 2025 has been programmed to be as accommodating as possible for those coming from out-of-town. The first event on Saturday starts at 4pm, and on Monday, August 4th, Mathew Jonson’s Freedom Engine performance starts at 4pm so Seattle and Vancouver travellers can get back on the Monday evening ferries.

FERRIES TO THE ISLAND:

If travelling by car and ferry, make sure to get a reservation as soon as you know your travel plans as the ferries fill up on all weekends during the summer (especially on holiday weekends). Car and Foot Passenger Service from the lower mainland is available through BC Ferries from their Tsawwassen terminal. Car and Foot Passenger Service from the United States is through Black Ball Ferries from Port Angeles. There is also a foot passenger service from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, and all Wonderment venues are within walking distance or quick cab rides / public transit from downtown.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Inn at Laurel Point is our recommended hotel for a quintessential waterfront inner harbour Victoria stay. For additional luxury, check out their Erickson King suites! Laurel Point is located at 680 Montreal Street in James Bay, outside of the noise and bustle of the downtown core, but has an excellent cafe and restaurant on site, with other options nearby.

If you want to be closer to downtown, we recommend Swan’s Hotel at 506 Pandora Avenue if travelling without a car (no onsite parking). Swan’s is an easy walk to our Aug 2 and Aug 4 venues, and two blocks from the Downbeat Event Centre. If you are bringing your family and looking for a budget hotel with a pool, check out the Downtown Quality Inn at 850 Blanshard.

CAMPING:

There are two campgrounds in the region that are about 30-40 minutes driving from downtown Victoria. Goldstream Campground is located just off the Trans-Canada Highway 1 and is nestled in a forested area only 16km from town. Island View Campground is located on the Saanich Peninsula and is a beachfront campground looking east towards the San Juan Islands. Both campgrounds require reservations.

GETTING AROUND

All our venues are fully accessible and easy to get to from downtown. Songhees Park Plaza is located on the southwest side of the Johnson Street Bridge and overlooks the downtown inner harbour. The Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park and Banfield Park can be walked to from downtown within half an hour. For Banfield Park we recommend the Galloping Goose pedestrian/ cycling path which winds along the Inner Harbour / Gorge Waterway. All the sites are also easily accessible via public transit ($5 for a day pass) or quick cab and Uber rides. There are also Harbour Ferries that offer boat service from docks located around the inner harbour, with stops near Songhees Park Plaza and the Railyards dock near Banfield Park.