Luxury Central Saanich Neighbourhoods – Willis Point

Nestled across from Brentwood Bay and The Butchart Gardens, Willis Point is a secluded coastal enclave that embodies quiet luxury. Surrounded by the vast natural beauty of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park and Mount Work Regional Park, this rural community feels worlds away from city life. Expansive parklands, untouched shorelines and panoramic ocean views define Willis Point, one of Victoria’s most exclusive and naturally stunning retreats.

Willis Point map

Willis Point is a lesser known community being so far out in the bush. While downtown Victoria could theoretically still be reached in 30 minutes by car, the expansive parklands give the neighbourhood a much more rural feel. The forested, rocky land, untouched shoreline and calm inlet waters provide the ultimate backdrop for some of the most stunning real estate in Victoria.

 

Unincorporated Territory

Willis Point is unique because it is mostly an unincorporated region. While a piece of the neighbourhood sits within the borders of Central Saanich, the majority of Willis Point is not associated with any municipality. Instead, the region is governed by the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, which provides government services for the region.

trees and water in Willis Point

As a largely unincorporated region, the sense of community in Willis Point is strong. With limited development taking place, neighbourhood cooperation is a foundation of the community. With minimal laws being enforced onto residents of this community, an attitude of respect has been adopted instead, evident by their active community association, volunteer fire department and dedicated administration.

For more information, check out the Willis Point Community Plan.

 

Secluded Mansions

While most Victoria residents will never see them due to being so far out of the way, Willis Point is home to some of the most jaw-dropping oceanfront real estate Victoria has to offer. Combined with a small network of roads limiting access, large lot sizes and long, winding driveways, Willis Point is one of the most desired but secluded neighbourhoods.

The community of Willis Point is made up of roughly 150 homes dotted along the coastline and throughout the park-like area inland. Residents believe strongly in preserving the natural setting they call home while limiting future development. Any development that does take place will likely be modest and represent the existing character of the neighbourhood.

 

Park-like Environment

Driving through the Willis Point neighbourhood, you’ll get the feeling as if you’re in the middle of a park. To access the community, you probably would’ve had to drive through or next to the nearby regional and provincial parks anyways. The park-like setting is part of what makes Willis Point special.

Willis Point Road

The rural Willis Point Road winds its way through the neighbourhood, guarded by a thick canopy of trees. On either side of the road, there’s an extensive network of informal trails that weave their way through private lands. These undeveloped landscapes provide an ideal situation for marine life, wildlife, and rare plant species.

The Willis Point neighbourhood is surrounded by ocean on three sides. The eastern edge borders Tod Inlet, looking across at the community of Brentwood Bay. The western edge of Willis Point gazes out at the Malahat and Malahat Skywalk. The majority of development and real estate is found in the northwestern corner of the neighbourhood, exposed to the wide open Saanich Inlet.

 

Mountain Biking at Hartland

The neighbourhood of Willis Point is in close proximity to one of the city’s premiere mountain biking spots – something hardly anyone else in Victoria can say. Accessed via Willis Point Road in just 10 minutes, Hartland is Victoria’s largest landfill. The mountain bike park, which starts along the edge of the landfill, has been lovingly named after the landfill (also known as “The Dump”).

mountain biking through the forest

Primarily known as a cross-country mountain bike park, The Dump is home to various trails for different skill levels from easy (blue) to double and black diamond trails (very hard). With 85 trails, the park offers 46km of riding and 2,000+m of descent, making it by far the best in Greater Victoria. The main access point is next to the landfill, but you can also find the park from the Mount Work Parking Lot’s northern entrance or Woodridge Place.

 

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park is a large, nearby park located just southwest of the Willis Point neighbourhood. This remote park space is home to 25km of trails for hiking and biking of various difficulty. Make it to the top, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the Finlayson Arm below.

Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

The park is actively preserving one of the last remaining natural spaces in Victoria known as Gowlland Range. Gowlland Range provides a home for over 150 individual animal and plant species, some of which are rare or endangered. From the old-growth forests to the abundance of marine activity below attracting scuba divers from all over, Gowlland Tod Park is a land of biodiversity.

 

Willis Point Community Links

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