Whether you’re going for the rooftop goats or the many outdoor attractions in Arrowsmith Coombs Country, the Old Country Market is a must-visit during your spring trip to Vancouver Island, and Coombs as a whole has plenty to offer!
Now a landmark in B.C., the market first opened in the early ’70s when Norwegian immigrants Kristian and Solveig Graaten built a market directly into the hillside with a sod roof. Later, a gaggle of goats made themselves at home on the roof, attracting visitors far and wide from May to October every year.
World-famous goats
Today, the market is one of the top tourist destinations in the whole province, owned and operated by Larry and Lene Geekie. So if you want to meet the “most famous goats in the world,” you can head to the market starting over the May long weekend, which is coming up on May 19, 2025. In addition to tending the grass around the clock, the goats apparently love getting messages from their fans across the globe via email, with an online form for messages and questions available through the market’s website.
Butterfly gardens
While the goats are a huge draw, there are plenty of other natural attractions worth checking out, including the beautiful butterfly gardens at Butterfly World Coombs. Home to dozens of colourful butterfly varieties from around the globe, the gardens are a relaxing place to deepen your appreciation for nature.
Arriving in the Pupa stage from South America and Asia, hatched from their Chrysalis, and released into the greenhouse, the butterflies live around twice as long as they would normally. And visitors are in for an eye-ful of beautiful colours.
The gardens are also home to stunning koi fish in indoor and outdoor ponds, and a handful of reptile and bird varieties.
Ready to explore even more wildlife viewing activities? Errington North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is home to more than 60 non-releasable animals, including bears, owls, and bald eagles. The non-profit animal rehabilitation facility aims to
Those looking for camping opportunities as the weather warms up can head to Cameron Lake Recreation Site.
During the warmer months, Coombs is also a popular destination for its myriad of ‘Old West’ activities at the Coombs Rodeo and bluegrass festival, and the Coombs Country Arts & Crafts Fair.
So mark your calendars and prepare to meet some of the most well-known goats around! And if you want to make a trip out of it, consider this a solid place to start for all things Coombs.
Old Country Market – Goats on the roof
How to get there: Take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, and drive 37 minutes to Coombs via BC-19 N.
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