The oldest section of Victoria [1] lies immediately north of the Inner Harbour [2] between Wharf and Government Streets. Start by walking north from the Inner Harbour along historic Wharf Street, where Hudson’s Bay Company furs were loaded onto ships bound for England, gold seekers arrived in search of fortune, and shopkeepers first established businesses. Cross the road to the cobblestone Bastion Square, lined with old gas lamps and decorative architecture dating from the 1860s to 1890s.
At the top (east) end of Bastion Square, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia (250/385-4222, daily 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., until 6 p.m. in summer, adult $9, senior $6, child $4) traces the history of seafaring exploration, adventure, commercial ventures, and passenger travel through displays of dugout canoes, model ships, Royal Navy charts, figureheads, photographs, naval uniforms, and bells. One room is devoted to exhibits chronicling the circumnavigation of the world, and another holds a theater. The museum also has a nautically oriented gift shop.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights