Gibsons and Area - Port Mellon to Roberts Creek

Port Mellon

Port Mellon is the home of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, which has a rich history on the Sunshine Coast. The mill was built on the banks of Rainy River in 1908 by Captain Henry Mellon. It is the oldest operating pulp and paper mill in British Columbia and, in 1909, produced the first paper made in the province. The mill is the largest employer on the Coast, with 600 skilled employees. Throughout July and August there are free public tours 2-3 times a week. For the rest of the year, tours are conducted on a "by request" basis. Please call Community Relations at 604-884-2575 for advance reservations. Please note there is walking and stair climbing, and all visitors must wear closed footwear (no sandals or open-toed shoes). The minimum age is 12 years. A virtual tour is available at http://www.hspp.ca.

This area is also home to Hillside Industrial Park, a multi-use park away from residential and commercial areas, and Hillside Demonstration Forest, an education centre for residents and visitors with a focus on silviculture and harvesting practices, and wildlife preservation.

Langdale

The small area known as Langdale sits on the north side of Howe Sound and was named after Robinson Henry Langdale, an Englishman who homesteaded here in 1892. Today Langdale is home to the BC Ferries terminal linking Hwy. 99 at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver with Hwy. 101, the main route connecting the communities on the Sunshine Coast.

Not far from the ferry terminal is the Sunshine Coast Regional Park beach and picnic area as well as YMCA Camp Elphinstone, a long-time children's summer camp. Heading up towards Port Mellon is a 9-hole public golf course with overnight RV parking.

Gibsons

A few minutes west of Langdale, past the small communities of Hopkins Landing and Granthams Landing, sits the town of Gibsons. Divided into two areas, the historical seaside Landing where the town began and the newer area, the Centre, which is up the hill from the Landing, Gibsons is a friendly community that is home to many artists and craftspeople.

The Landing in Gibsons
The revitalized harbour area known as the Landing is home to Molly's Reach, famous as the setting for the popular CBC-TV series The Beachcombers. Stroll along the pier to the beautiful log wharfinger building and the gazebo for great views. Just a few steps away, the seawalk skirts the harbour and winds around to the marina. On these waters you see a wide variety of craft, from fishboats to luxury yachts. Sign on with a charter to cast your line or learn to sail. Winegarden Waterfront Park, overlooking the harbour, is home to free outdoor summer concerts and the weekend market where local artisans display their wares.

It's easy to explore the Landing on foot, and the Heritage Walking Tour is a great way to discover some of the history of the town's beginnings. Ask at the Visitor Info Centre in Pioneer Park for walking tour maps as well as the Purple Banner Tour guide, leading you to the studios of local artists who welcome visitors.

The one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and restaurants of the Landing add to the charm of this harbourside town. The main post office is here, as well as the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, a public library and the town hall.

Beach hop along Gower Point Road by car or bike to Bonniebrook and comb the pebble shoreline at Ocean Beach Esplanade, fly fish from shore and let the kids play and picnic. In the rosy glow of the sunset, watch cruise ships heading to Alaska.

The Centre
Gibsons Way (behind Pioneer Park and the Visitor Info Centre) leads to the newer Centre area, which has two shopping malls, supermarkets, and a variety of shops and services such as gas stations, pubs, restaurants, bakeries, health foods and a renowned First Nations art gallery. A summer-only Visitor Info Centre is located in Sunnycrest Mall, as is a liquor store, a satellite postal outlet and a supermarket as well as other shops.

Looking for something to do? Here you will find the Gibsons Cinema, Gibsons Aquatic Centre, bowling alley and a skateboard park.

Roberts Creek

This tiny but colourful community can be found where Roberts Creek Road, Lower Road and Beach Avenue converge. Known locally as the Gumboot Nation of Roberts Creek, the unofficial footwear is a pair of gumboots, otherwise known as Wellingtons or plain old rubber boots. Since the 1960s "The Creek" has been the laidback centre of the Coast's counterculture, celebrated in August with the quirky Creek Daze festival. Eclectic shops and an organic restaurant and cafe/bakery add to the charm.

Visit the community's waterfront park and its long pedestrian pier with spectacular views of the Strait of Georgia and one of the best places on the Coast to watch the sunset.
In July, local artists join together here over several days to paint a magnificent mandala, representing the Mayan calendar, on the paved area near the beach access.

Glorious gardens can be seen along roadways, lanes or bordering beaches. Paddle off on a guided kayak excursion to catch the golden rays of sunset or play in phosphorescence in the silver glow of the moon. In winter, book a guided snowshoe tour to the backcountry.

The park at the corner of Beach Ave. and Flume Rd. is a great spot for a picnic and watching for seals, whales and other wildlife offshore. Just west of Flume Rd. at Hwy. 101, Roberts Creek Provincial Park offers 24 vehicle/tent campsites in a lush forest setting.

The area around Roberts Creek was originally inhabited by the shishalh tribe of the Coast Salish First Nations. The area was chosen for its mild climate and abundance of fresh water and natural food (fish, shellfish, berries and roots). The shishalh tribe became known as the Sechelts, a derivation of she'shalt, meaning the people. Roberts Creek formed the boundary between the Sechelt people to the north and the Squamish people to the south. Roberts Creek was named after Thomas Roberts, who established the beginnings of the community in 1889, when he built a cabin here for his family, clearing and working the land and raising livestock.

Key Things to Do and Places to Visit from Port Mellon to Roberts Creek

Gambier Island
From the Langdale ferry terminal, catch the small passenger-only ferry across Howe Sound to Gambier Island, a 15-minute trip that docks at New Brighton. Gambier boasts great beaches and hiking trails, and a quaint general store with sporadic hours. Trails lead to Gambier Lake, 8.5 km (5 mi) from New Brighton. (level 3, approx. 4 hours)

Keats Island
The same passenger-only ferry from Langdale also travels to Keats Island, as does the Gibsons harbour ferry, which departs from the Landing. The roads and trails starting from the government wharf lead to sandy beaches, the Plumper Cove Marine Park or to Eastbourne, a 10 km (6 mi) round trip.

Soames Hill (the Knob)
A 40-minute intense climb through impressive second-growth forest trails leads to spectacular views of mountains, Keats and Gambier Islands, Gibsons and the Strait of Georgia.

The Landing  -  Home of Molly's Reach
Best known as the setting for the long-running CBC-TV series The Beachcombers, Gibsons' Landing area boasts plenty of waterfront charm. Stroll along the pier to the beautiful log wharfinger building and the gazebo for great views of the busy harbour, Keats Island, and the coastal mountains. The nearby seawalk skirts the shoreline and takes you to lovely Winegarden Waterfront Park.  

Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives
The Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives presents the history of the Sunshine Coast and its inhabitants. Two floors of exhibits to explore! Natural History Collections (fossils, butterflies, minerals), Pioneer Period Rooms, First Nations, Small Wooden Boats and Models, The Beachcombers, Allen and Sharie Farrell Photographic Collection, and more. 716 Winn Road, 604-886-8232

Chaster Park & Ocean Beach Esplanade
Chaster park is a grassy area on the waterfront at Ocean Beach Esplanade, at the end of Gower Point, one of the oldest areas in Gibsons. This is a popular spot for a family swim and picnic, fly fishing offshore, or an evening stroll to watch spectacular sunsets. Cruise ships on their way to Alaska are often seen from here. (Follow Gower Point Road.)

Cliff Gilker Park
Right beside the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek 9 km (6 mi) from Gibsons, the park's well-marked trails lead through second-growth Douglas fir forest, past waterfalls and across rustic bridges over streams to picnic facilities, baseball diamond and a children's playground. (3 km/1.8 mi level 2)