Nanoose Bay sits on Highway 19, so the straightforward way to reach the Madrona area from here is to drive the highway and finish the trip on local roads. A live map is the best guide for the last few turns.
Using Highway 19
Nanoose Bay is about 26 kilometres north of Nanaimo and about 16 kilometres south of Parksville, both along Highway 19. Work out from your map pin whether Madrona is north or south of where you are starting, then follow the highway in that direction. Local street names and drive times depend on where exactly you start, so take them from a map app.
Type your exact destination into a map app before you leave. It will show the current best route and flag roadworks.
Choosing slower roads
Secondary roads near the coast can be quieter than the highway, and they often have more bends. They can be a pleasant alternative at busy times, but a map app is worth keeping open since signage on small roads is not always generous. In wet or foggy weather the highway is usually the easier choice.
Without a car
Public transit around Nanoose Bay is limited. The BC Transit trip planner for the Nanaimo region will show whether a route runs between your two points on the day you travel, along with the fare. If no trip appears, a taxi is the practical answer. Nanaimo taxi and Parksville taxi are the nearest services, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough idea of cost.
Arriving from Vancouver
Travellers from Vancouver cross to Vancouver Island by BC Ferries. The sailing time depends on the route you choose, and the BC Ferries schedule and booking pages list current times. After landing, you continue by road on Highway 19, so add the drive from the terminal to your total plan. Reservations are worth checking in summer and on long weekends, when sailings fill up.
Before any drive, a quick check of fuel, weather and road reports takes a few minutes and avoids most surprises. Highway conditions can change with rain, so a look at current traffic information before leaving is sensible.