Getting around Vancouver Island
 

Lucky enough to have won a trip to B.C. next month, including 2 nights in Victoria with accommodations at The Empress. Would love to see Butchart Gardens and dine at Sooke Harbour House - if anyone has other suggestions for "must do's" on this short trip, please advise - but wonder how to get around. Do we need to rent a car? Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

You can get to Butchart's by city bus or tour bus. Sooke would be more awkward. I would rent a car - then you can drive along Victoria's waterfront too.

As April says, Sooke would be awkward to get to by public transport. It's a good 35 minute drive through various suburbs... you'd need a car if it's a "must-do" for you. Otherwise, no car is needed for Victoria, especially with a short stay of 2 days. There is lots to do in the Inner Harbour area -
horse & carriage tours, harbour boat tours, shopping on Gov't Street, the Royal BC Museum (the Egypt Exhibit will be the big thing this summer). If you did have a car, there is a lovely scenic drive along Dallas Rd, out toward U.Vic (a different direction from Sooke Harbour House).
Enjoy the Empress!

Thanks for the advice, April and Taggie.

if art is an interest, do go to Emily carr house. It's within walking distance and she is a very interesting person, woman, artist.

for such a short trip, i wouldn't bother with a car and would save sooke harbour house for another time.

I agree save the trip to Sooke for another time. Huge Bucks for dinner there. There are many fine restaurants downtown. I would contemplate renting a car to take a drive up island to see the town of Chemainus-small tourist trap with many fine large paintings airbrushed on the buildings plus a bunch of little shops. @ 2 hour drive max from Victoria take some back country roads for a real different view of the Island