Gold River is reached by Highway 28, which runs 89 kilometres west from Campbell River through Strathcona Provincial Park. The drive takes about an hour and is scenic throughout. Campbell River itself is on the Island Highway (Highway 19) and is served by BC Ferries connections from the mainland and by scheduled flights from Vancouver.
There is no bus service to Gold River. A car is essential. From Vancouver, the most common route is the BC Ferries crossing from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, then north on Highway 19 to Campbell River, then west on Highway 28. The total driving distance from Nanaimo is about 300 kilometres.
The Gold River government wharf — the departure point for the Uchuck III — is about 7 kilometres from the village centre down the Heber River road; ask locally for directions.