Meet travellers from our world’s ends, climb the cliffs on Dallas road, jump high heights at Sooke Potholes, explore one-of-a-kind Victoria, and work for your stay at the Ocean Island Inn.
Adventure tourism student, Kait Colbourne (pictured below), shares the details.
“Do this because it’s a great way to meet people,” student Colbourne explains, “It allows you to take the time to actually experience the beautiful things that Victoria has to offer.”
Market Square Entrance (560 Johnson Street) Photo by Saidia Zaloski
The City of Victoria stretches between beaches, cliffs, and harbours on a southern portion of Vancouver Island, B.C. Charming heritage nestles between beautiful gardens; all alive with deer, rabbits and even peacocks. Enjoy Art-Deco designs, lush vegetation and west coast lifestyle in a city that cycles and recycles.
Listen to the locals at the Copper Owl, eat like the locals at Rebar and drink with the locals at the Sticky Wicket. Bring a guitar to Dallas Road cliffs, or catch the 72 out-of-town and explore the Sooke Pot Holes.
The Ocean Island offers day trips such as hikes, bike rides, walking tours, whale watching and other special trips that may arise.
“All of which at a very affordable cost for backpackers. They also provide great information about places to go and how to get there.”
Travellers worldwide are welcome to apply for the “Work for Stay” program at the Ocean Island Inn in Victoria. The program consists of 30 hours of work a day, in exchange for a dorm bed and 22 “Ocean Island dollars” that can be spent in the hostel.
“The work options were mainly limited to housekeeping jobs and were divided between the workers each morning,”
View from the Dallas Road’s cliffs. Photo by Saidia Zaloski
Colbourne recommends this program to students, nomads, and just about anybody who wants to travel on the cheap, or is looking to meet fellow travellers.
“If you have a special skill that can be helpful they will definitely take that into consideration,”
The application process is easy- just contact them on their website and inform them of your skills, languages, and availability.
“For longer stays, there are also paid jobs consisting of cooking, bar tending and front desk.”
Colbourne explained that she had enough free time to explore the city, with her average shift being 10:30 am to 4:40 pm.
“They often give you two days off in a row which leaves room for out-of-town travels like camping, and allows you to experience more of Vancouver Island’s beautiful hotspots.”
Fan Tan Alley (Fisgard St) Photo by Saidia Zaloski
“You should do this because its a great way to meet people, and allows you to take the time to actually experience the beautiful things that Victoria has to offer.”
But it isn’t easy to live in a hostel, you are normally sharing a room with 6 people and space is limited.
“To live in a hostel it takes an open minded, social and easy going type of person. You really have to be comfortable sharing your space with strangers and open to the different types of people that you will interact with in the hostel.”
Before travelling to Victoria, Colbourne had taken on a nomadic lifestyle and saved money travelling by working odd jobs along the way.
“Overall, my experience there was unforgettable! I met so many interesting people from all over the world, and made some great memories while I was there. I felt very comfortable and welcomed by the staff and other guests and found the work to actually be enjoyable.”
Colbourne pictured below.
Big Bad Johns (919 Douglas Street) Kait Colbourne (right)
