From Vancouver Island by car - BC Ferry has 4 sailings daily from Comox to Powell River, fare.

From Vancouver by air - Pacific Coastal Airlines  has scheduled flights leaving from the South Terminal in the Vancouver Airport, they also provide shuttle service from the Main terminal.

From Vancouver by bus - Malaspina Coachlines Schedules, two trips a day.

Where to go and what to do when you are in Powell River - a drive-by tour.

First get a map of the municipality of Powell River, requires Acrobat Reader

The Town of Powell River is not a very big area, you can drive around the town along the main streets and the whole circuit is about 13miles. Heading north from the Westview Ferry terminal at Marine and Duncan, there are small shops and restaurants along Marine Ave. Stop and visit the Visitors Info Centre on the right. Past a controlled intersection at Alberni St, you have Willingdon Beach on your left, where the park, the Forest Museum, the municipal campsite and the Willingdon trail are located. The Powell River Historical Museum and the Mini-golf is on your right across from the beach. Observe the speed limit of 30km/hr when going through the park. Past the park the road winds uphill through the wooded area of Lot 450, speed limit 50, then 60km/hr. Then you enter the Historic Townsite, slow down to 50km/hr. The first building on your right is Brooks school, a Whistler chalet style structure with a million dollar view (costed many times that to build). The craftsman style homes on both sides were housing for the mill's employee at one time. Stop at the Mill's viewpoint to look at the world's largest floating breakwater (a chain of old ferro-cement ships from the WW1/WW2 era). Continue on and you will come to a stop sign at Ash street. Do find a place to park and take a self-guided walking tour of the Historic townsite, the map can be obtained at the Visitors Info centre or at the Townsite Heritage Society office, a yellow house just to the right of the intersection. Driving up Ash Ave, turn right 2 blocks later at Popular St., up Lombardy Ave which turns in Cranberry St. Once past DA Evans Park, look for Crown Ave. the street that leads to Valentine mountain (a short 15 minutes uphill hike will reward you with an panoramic view of the whole town). A little past Crown Ave,  Cranberry Pottery is on your left. Cranberry Pottery produces some excellent products which are considered to be the true Powell River souvenirs (don't waste your time looking for Powell River T-shirts). Click here for a short history of Cranberry. Go straight past Manson Ave., turn left onto Mowat Ave. Check out Powell Lake and Mowat Bay, a popular swimming area. Continue on Cranberry Ave, it will take you past Lindsay Park, Haslam Street which will take you to Haywire Bay Campground or Inland Lake, Cranberry Nursery and Springtime Nursery. The street name changes from Cranberry Street to Yukon Ave, then to Cassiar street. Turn left onto Manson Ave, shortly after that turn right onto Joyce Ave. Watch for the entrance to the hospital on your left, the entrance to the Recreation Complex on your right. Joyce Ave is the main drag, the commercial district in Powell River. You will find Safeway, McDonalds, Canadian Tire, A&W, Coast Town Centre Hotel, Safe-on Foods, gas stations, Robbin's Donut, Subway, etc. in that order. Joyce Ave then turns into a residential area, turn right at Marine Ave when you get to the end of Joyce. Continue on Marine Ave and have a wide open view of the ocean, Texada Island, Vancouver Island in the distant, and Harwood Island. The Westview Viewpoint is an excellent spot for watching the spectacular sunset. 

Driving to Lund, the end of Highway 101. First get a map of the region, requires Acrobat Reader

The one and only highway will take you to Lund. From Marine Ave. in the Townsite, turn right onto Arbutus St. Watch for the boathouses on Powell Lake. You are on Lund Street once past the bridge. Switchback trail is on you left. The turnoff to the right will take you to the Powell Lake Marina and the Shinglemill Restaurant. A sharp turn and uphill takes you to Wildwood, known for the Sunset Park and Scout Mountain. You can resume highway speed but not for long. Entrance to Gibson's Beach is on your left, a little past that you are in Sliammon, a native reserve. Please respect the residents living there and observe the 30km/hr speed limit. The salmon hatchery is on the left side of the highway. The highway is pretty much in the wooded area from Sliammon to Lund. Side roads to Wilde Road and Southview Road access the Bunster Hill. Craig Road leads to a campground. The roads on your left lead to the beaches but they are mostly private properties. Watch for the Diner Rock turn off on your left (it is a narrow dirt road and it is hidden in the bush), it leads to Diner Rock Campground but the road is rough. At Malaspina Road there is a store and a nursery. Plan for a side trip to the Okeover Inlet where you can visit Desolation Resort, Y-Knot campground, Laughing Oyster restaurant, Cedar Lodge B&B and the Okeover Campsite on the beach. Continue on Crowther Road which is next to the campsite will take you to Penrose Bay, where the Powell River Sea Kayaks Desolation Sound launch site is located. You are as close to the Desolation Sound as you can by driving.  When back on the highway at the Malaspina Road intersection, you are less than 5 minutes from Lund.

Roughing it.  First get a Forestry Recreation Map, requires Acrobat Reader

In Powell River there are more dirt roads than paved roads. The only way to access the numerous lakes, mountains and trails requires traveling on the dirt roads. If you are equipped with a 4-wheel drive vehicle then you are in business. You have not seen Powell River until you get into the backcountry. Pity on the average tourist! Driving all this way and seeing only a mill and a couple of parks! Caution: The Stillwater and Goat Mainlines are active logging roads and are restricted to the general public Monday to Friday, 5am to 6pm. If not sure, ask first. A mistake could be fatal.