Free quests in Victoria

An hour at Beaver Beach

Spend an hour on the public sand or stones at Beaver Beach (north-east of centre, Victoria). Leave with five shoreline things you could find again tomorrow.

An hour at Cordova Bay Beach

Spend an hour on the public sand or stones at Cordova Bay Beach (north-east of centre, Victoria). Leave with five shoreline things you could find again tomorrow.

An hour at Finlayson Point Beach

Finlayson Point Beach is Victoria's public water south-east of centre, Victoria. One hour. Five things on the waterline. No private docks.

An hour at Glen Lake South Beach

Skip the seawall loop. Sit or walk Glen Lake South Beach until you can point at five hulls, birds, logs, or buildings without checking your phone.

An hour at Gonzales Beach

Gonzales Beach is Victoria's public water south-east of centre, Victoria. One hour. Five things on the waterline. No private docks.

An hour at Mile Zero Beach

Spend an hour on the public sand or stones at Mile Zero Beach (south-east of centre, Victoria). Leave with five shoreline things you could find again tomorrow.

An hour at North Beach

Spend an hour on the public sand or stones at North Beach (north-east of centre, Victoria). Leave with five shoreline things you could find again tomorrow.

An hour at Steve Fonyo Beach

Skip the seawall loop. Sit or walk Steve Fonyo Beach until you can point at five hulls, birds, logs, or buildings without checking your phone.

Read the noticeboard at Downtown Community Centre

At Downtown Community Centre (on Pandora Avenue, south-east of centre, Victoria), copy one public notice that is not an ad. That is the whole quest.

Read the noticeboard at Islands Trust - Victoria Office

Cities still tape paper to walls. Islands Trust - Victoria Office is a working room: one notice, then out.

Read the noticeboard at Langford City Hall

Cities still tape paper to walls. Langford City Hall is a working room: one notice, then out.

Read the noticeboard at Les Passmore Seniors Activity Centre

Cities still tape paper to walls. Les Passmore Seniors Activity Centre is a working room: one notice, then out.

Read the noticeboard at NeighbourSpace

Cities still tape paper to walls. NeighbourSpace is a working room: one notice, then out.

Read the noticeboard at Oaklands Community Centre

Cities still tape paper to walls. Oaklands Community Centre is a working room: one notice, then out.

Read the plaque at BC Law Enforcement Memorial

A two-minute stop at BC Law Enforcement Memorial. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Beacon Hill Park Story Pole

Beacon Hill Park Story Pole (south-east of centre, Victoria): read the plaque, copy one date and one name, leave. Not a war-tourism selfie.

Read the plaque at Douglas Obelisk

A two-minute stop at Douglas Obelisk. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Esquimalt Cenotaph

A two-minute stop at Esquimalt Cenotaph. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Fort Victoria Brick Project

A two-minute stop at Fort Victoria Brick Project. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Marilyn Bell

A two-minute stop at Marilyn Bell. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Terry Fox Memorial

A two-minute stop at Terry Fox Memorial. One date off the metal. Then back to the sidewalk.

Read the plaque at Victoria Cenotaph

Victoria Cenotaph (south-east of centre, Victoria): read the plaque, copy one date and one name, leave. Not a war-tourism selfie.

One loop of Allenby Park

Allenby Park (south-east of centre, Victoria) is larger than the postcard. One loop, one un-famous bench, two sounds that are not traffic.

One loop of Carnarvon Park

50 minutes in Carnarvon Park (south-east of centre, Victoria): leave the parking lot behind, pick a bench, listen.

One loop of Chancellor Park

Walk a single loop of Chancellor Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Firefighter's Park

Walk a single loop of Firefighter's Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Majestic Park

Walk a single loop of Majestic Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Nottingham Park

Walk a single loop of Nottingham Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Oakdowne Park

Oakdowne Park (south-east of centre, Victoria) is larger than the postcard. One loop, one un-famous bench, two sounds that are not traffic.

One loop of Oaklands Green

Oaklands Green (on Holly Street, south-east of centre, Victoria) is larger than the postcard. One loop, one un-famous bench, two sounds that are not traffic.

One loop of Oaklands Park

50 minutes in Oaklands Park (on Kings Road, south-east of centre, Victoria): leave the parking lot behind, pick a bench, listen.

One loop of Oneness Heart Park

Walk a single loop of Oneness Heart Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Paddle Rock

50 minutes in Paddle Rock (south-east of centre, Victoria): leave the parking lot behind, pick a bench, listen.

One loop of Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square (on Quadra Street, south-east of centre, Victoria) is larger than the postcard. One loop, one un-famous bench, two sounds that are not traffic.

One loop of Rendle Green

Walk a single loop of Rendle Green. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of South Park

50 minutes in South Park (south-east of centre, Victoria): leave the parking lot behind, pick a bench, listen.

One loop of Stadacona Park

50 minutes in Stadacona Park (on Pandora Avenue, south-east of centre, Victoria): leave the parking lot behind, pick a bench, listen.

One loop of Topaz Park

Walk a single loop of Topaz Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Willows Park

Walk a single loop of Willows Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

One loop of Windsor Park

Walk a single loop of Windsor Park. Sit until you can name two non-traffic sounds, then leave by the same gate.

Inventory the water from Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty

Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty is a public deck over water. Five things on the water or the far shore, then turn around.

Inventory the water from Jetty 11

Walk to the public end of Jetty 11 (south-west of centre, Victoria). Count hulls, birds, or colours until the list has five lines.

Playground hour at Children's Waterpark

Give Children's Waterpark (south-east of centre, Victoria) a full hour. Two pieces of equipment. No errands bolted on.

Playground hour at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park

Craigflower-Kosapsom Park is the quest, not a cafe next door. Stay until two pieces of kit have been used, then leave when you said you would.

Playground hour at Parkwood Playground

Parkwood Playground is the quest, not a cafe next door. Stay until two pieces of kit have been used, then leave when you said you would.

Playground hour at Playroom

Playroom is the quest, not a cafe next door. Stay until two pieces of kit have been used, then leave when you said you would.

Playground hour at Portage Park Playground

Give Portage Park Playground (west of centre, Victoria) a full hour. Two pieces of equipment. No errands bolted on.

Playground hour at Rotary Playground

Give Rotary Playground (south-west of centre, Victoria) a full hour. Two pieces of equipment. No errands bolted on.

Playground hour at Westshore Family Fun Park

Westshore Family Fun Park is the quest, not a cafe next door. Stay until two pieces of kit have been used, then leave when you said you would.

Rain plan: Alan Batey Library & Learning Commons

Alan Batey Library & Learning Commons (south-east of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: Greater Victoria Public Library - Bruce Hutchison Branch

Greater Victoria Public Library - Bruce Hutchison Branch (on Elk Lake Drive, north-east of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: GVPL: Central Branch

Rain plan at GVPL: Central Branch: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Rain plan: GVPL: Emily Carr Branch

GVPL: Emily Carr Branch (on Blanshard Street, east of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: GVPL: Esquimalt Branch

GVPL: Esquimalt Branch (on Park Place, south of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: GVPL: Goudy Branch

Rain plan at GVPL: Goudy Branch: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Rain plan: GVPL: Nellie McClung Branch

Rain plan at GVPL: Nellie McClung Branch: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Rain plan: GVPL: Oak Bay Branch

Rain plan at GVPL: Oak Bay Branch: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Rain plan: GVPL: Saanich Centennial Library Branch

GVPL: Saanich Centennial Library Branch (east of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: GVPL: sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch

GVPL: sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch (on Menzies Street, south-east of centre, Victoria) is a free indoor room. Pick one shelf you have never stood in front of. Leave with one sentence from a book you will not buy.

Rain plan: Library Lounge

Rain plan at Library Lounge: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Rain plan: McPherson Library

Rain plan at McPherson Library: one unfamiliar aisle, one sentence in a note, then back to the street.

Meet the first light at Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty

First light at Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty. The quest is to be there before the commute, then leave when the light is ordinary again.

Meet the first light at Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty

Victoria is quieter than the postcards. Be at Canadian Forces Auxiliary Jetty (south-west of centre, Victoria) before the first rush and leave with two things that moved.

Meet the first light at Cy Jenkins Trail

First light at Cy Jenkins Trail. The quest is to be there before the commute, then leave when the light is ordinary again.

Meet the first light at Fisher Trail

Victoria is quieter than the postcards. Be at Fisher Trail (south-west of centre, Victoria) before the first rush and leave with two things that moved.

Meet the first light at Glen Lake Fishing Pier

First light at Glen Lake Fishing Pier. The quest is to be there before the commute, then leave when the light is ordinary again.

Meet the first light at Woodlands Viewing Platform

First light at Woodlands Viewing Platform. The quest is to be there before the commute, then leave when the light is ordinary again.

Watch the sun drop from Anderson Hill

Skip the patio. Stand on public ground at Anderson Hill for the end of the day, then walk out the way you came.

Watch the sun drop from Beacon Hill

Be at Beacon Hill (south-east of centre, Victoria) twenty minutes before the disk drops. Stay until it is gone. Leave with one colour that is not orange.

Watch the sun drop from Golf Hill

Be at Golf Hill (south-east of centre, Victoria) twenty minutes before the disk drops. Stay until it is gone. Leave with one colour that is not orange.

Watch the sun drop from Lone Tree Hill

Be at Lone Tree Hill (north-west of centre, Victoria) twenty minutes before the disk drops. Stay until it is gone. Leave with one colour that is not orange.

Watch the sun drop from Miniskirt

Miniskirt faces the last light north-west of centre, Victoria. The quest is standing still until three lights stay on after the sun.

Watch the sun drop from Mount Stewart

Mount Stewart faces the last light north-west of centre, Victoria. The quest is standing still until three lights stay on after the sun.

Watch the sun drop from Mount Tolmie

Be at Mount Tolmie (east of centre, Victoria) twenty minutes before the disk drops. Stay until it is gone. Leave with one colour that is not orange.

Watch the sun drop from Observatory Hill

Observatory Hill faces the last light north of centre, Victoria. The quest is standing still until three lights stay on after the sun.

Watch the sun drop from Peacock Hill

Skip the patio. Stand on public ground at Peacock Hill for the end of the day, then walk out the way you came.

Watch the sun drop from PKOLS (Mt. Douglas)

PKOLS (Mt. Douglas) faces the last light north-east of centre, Victoria. The quest is standing still until three lights stay on after the sun.

Watch the sun drop from Smith Hill

Be at Smith Hill (south-east of centre, Victoria) twenty minutes before the disk drops. Stay until it is gone. Leave with one colour that is not orange.

Watch the sun drop from Triangular Hill

Skip the patio. Stand on public ground at Triangular Hill for the end of the day, then walk out the way you came.