Events

GERTIE invites you for a Geology tour of Gabriola, led by local Steve Earle. One of the key goals of this tour is to understand how Gabriola’s bedrock geology has produced the amazing topography and beauty of this and other Gulf Islands.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE invites you for a special trip to Ravenskill Orchards which has over 1,000 trees across two acres, with 25 varieties of apples.

Price includes 1 beverage at the orchard. Their food truck will be open for the opportunity to buy snacks AND ADDITIONAL DRINKS.

Price: $25 which includes 1 beverage at the orchard. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

Join us for a fun and informative visit to the Islands Trust Northern Office! Come inside and meet staff who help plan for Gabriola and neighbouring island communities—ask a land-use planner (almost!) anything, check out our cool maps and learn about what the Islands Trust does and why it matters. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your local government. We promise it won’t be boring! Then enjoy a short walk with GALTT to see the preserve and protect mandate in action!

This tour will be followed by a walk led by GaLTT – location tbc.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

Meet at one of 3 pickup locations including The Folklife Village, Garden homes & the Ferry.

GERTIE invites you for a fun local tour visiting Slow Rise Bakery & Tumbledown Farms.

Slowrise Bakery is Gabriola Islands own Artisan Bakery. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to visit their workspace and have a chance to buy some freshly made baked goods before they head out on their delivery route.

Tumbledown farm is home to a small flock of even smaller sheep. Raised for their wool and companionship, these friendly miniature sheep are gentle and joyful. Participants will have the opportunity to socialise with these friends and learn more about them.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE invites you for a Geology tour of Gabriola, led by local Steve Earle. One of the key goals of this tour is to understand how Gabriola’s bedrock geology has produced the amazing topography and beauty of this and other Gulf Islands.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE will operate its regular bus schedule which can get you to the Annual Salmon BBQ at the Community Hall.

Hop on at the Folklife Village at 3:25, 5:00, and 6:00 to get the BBQ. View Schedule

A special service will get you home, leaving the BBQ at about 7:30 and about 8:15.

Price: by donation – proceeds to the Comm. Hall. Assoc.

Ride GERTIE for a relaxed Garden Tour exploring three unique residential gardens, each reflecting a different vision of stewardship, creativity, and connection to the land. Guests will spend approximately 20–30 minutes at each stop, with time to hear each gardener’s story, ask questions, and enjoy the space.

Stop 1 – Coho Drive

Discover a productive homestead that has evolved from a simple desire to plant more trees and flowers into a thriving edible landscape. Explore hugelkultur-inspired garden beds filled with berries, herbs, and vegetables, a greenhouse growing citrus, pineapple guavas, and peaches, and learn how the entire property—including the household—operates using collected rainwater.

Stop 2 – Rollo Road

Visit a peaceful Memorial Art Garden where plants, sculpture, and memory intertwine. This unique garden celebrates the beauty and healing qualities of plants while honouring generations of family through meaningful memorial plantings and artistic expression.

Stop 3 – Thompson Road – Willow Creek Farms

Experience Willow Creek Farms, where flowers and fruit are grown with care for the local community. More than a farm, it is a living relationship with the land, celebrating seasonal abundance, beauty, and the slow, thoughtful rhythms of cultivating both food and connection.

*Tour may be extended to 4:00pm* Please advise if you are not able to attend an additional hour.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

Ride GERTIE for a Gabriola Farm Tour. Farms included: Good Earth Farms, Hidden Pond Permaculture Farm & Watercliff Permaculture Farm! This special trip includes some goodies from each farm and includes a tour with each farmer.

*Tour may be extended to 1:00pm* Please advise if you are not able to attend an additional hour.

Price: $35. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE invites you for a tidal walk tour of Gabriola, led by local Christy Wilson, Edith Kraus, Naomi Cripps and Lucy Russell.
Edith Kraus and Christy Wilson are local marine biologists who are committed to ocean education that promotes wonder and awe and ultimately leads to increased ocean connection and stewardship. Naomi Cripps and Lucy Russell grew up on Gabriola and spent their childhoods exploring the ocean and are beginning their undergraduate studies in marine biology. We are all excited to share this morning exploring our local beaches and ocean with you!

Descanso Campground Beach: University biology students will lead discussion here, sharing tide pool treasures and stories about this local beach 

Brickyard Beach: Discover this very productive and diverse location; some focused discussion on shellfish

Drumbeg Beach: Discover exquisite tide pools and deep dive into plankton (microscopes will be available for a closer look, plankton tow will be done in advance by the biologists)

Along the way, we will share fun facts about marine ecology and biology, chatting about topics of interest that riders bring up and ready to discuss the amazing Salish Sea that surrounds us (from plankton to marine mammals to everything in between)

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE invites you for a Geology tour of Gabriola, led by local Steve Earle. One of the key goals of this tour is to understand how Gabriola’s bedrock geology has produced the amazing topography and beauty of this and other Gulf Islands.

Price: $20. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

GERTIE invites you for a special trip to the Orchard. Meet at one of 5 pickup locations including The Folklife Village, Garden homes & the ferry (other stops will be allocated as needed.)

Price: $25 which includes 1 beverage at the orchard. Seniors get $5 off!

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca

Ride GERTIE and visit some of the 100 artists, artisans & performers at 40 locations across the island during MAY’d. Meet at one of 4 pickup locations along North Rd., including The Folklife Village.

Price: $15. Seniors ride for free.

Reservations Required: maydgabriola.ca/GERTIE or call 236-985-3500

Join GERTIE for a special seniors trip to the Gabriola Museum to the upcoming Japanese Canadian exhibit Omoide before it opens to the public. The visit includes a short introductory talk and refreshments.

Price: $5 GERTIE day pass, $5 suggested donation to the Gabriola Museum.

Reservations Required: Email busbuddy@gertie.ca