From Victoria, be prepared to drive nearly halfway back to the Ferries, and then veer west for a distance.  Here beside Brentwood Bay, you will find the site of an exhausted limestone quarry that has been converted into a breathtaking sunken garden, with the terrain as much shaped by man as the trees and bushes themselves.  At the centre of this artificial valley is an almost iconic stone mound with a staircase set in its side.  Climb up to the top and enjoy the view from multiple different vantage points.  At the end of the paths through the quarry is a stepped descent to a small lake where Ross Fountain impresses visitors with numerous different spray patterns.

As you walk back, you soon discover that this is not the only garden here.  In fact, there are many more on the grounds beside the quarry area.  The circuit takes you past the Concert Lawn & Stage and Fireworks Lawn, to the Rose Garden, past the Sturgeon Fountain and on to the Japanese Garden (you can sneak out the far end to get a view of Butchart Cove).  You then pass by the Star Fountain and through the Italian Garden before arriving back at the visitor centre and gift shop. Make sure you don’t miss the Mediterranean Garden near the parking lot – it is easy to overlook if you’re in a hurry!

Butchart Gardens surprisingly is not just open during the summer.  The staff work to maintain the garden’s beauty year round, whether that means replacing wilting flowers with new ones, or decorating the bare trees and bushes with Christmas lights.  Also keep an eye out for special events such as the fireworks show put on every Saturday Night during the summer, concerts, Christmas events, and more.