I grew up in and around Victoria and I'm curious, what exactly did you like about? I couldn't wait to get away.
Victoria is beautiful, with a wonderful climate close to ocean and wilderness. Sure, it can be on the expensive side.. and there are a lot of seniors. But it's so damn nice! Don't athletes train there year round? I almost considered UVic because of the climate.
As posted above, the consensus still has it that Victoria is the best. What was it that you didn't like about it?
Sounds good stretched. I've walked through a lot of the national parks in Victoria, there's some really spectacular places up around the high country, Grampians etc. (I have a really good photo from a walk I did in the grampians, if you want me to send it to you).