A tour of Roberts Creek

by Heather Till

Kids at the Roberts Creek Beach Whatever way you get here, you end up in the Heart of Roberts Creek - the junction of Roberts Creek Road, Lower Road and Beach Avenue. From this corner, you can head down to the pier to glory in a spectacular sunset, stroll along the beach in either direction or enjoy an ice cream cone at the Roberts Creek General Store (885-3400). The new boardwalk, constructed on the original posts that supported the old steamship pier, is wheelchair accessible and carefully maintained by community volunteers. (The wharf itself is no longer used for moorage.) The beach invites you to frolic on the sand or just feast on the view. And everyone gathers outside the store on warm summer evenings - they offer hospitality with their groceries, munchies and videos. Don't miss the bulletin board outside the store for a real view into the community.

Pictured at right: kids at play on Roberts Creek Beach
Photo Courtesy of PhotographyTips.com

FOOD:
If you're hungry or need a soothing cup of herbal tea, try the Gumboot Garden Restaurant (885-4216). They serve up an awesome Thai chicken, great vegetarian fare and wholesome bakery delights. Sit on the patio in the sun or inside where you can view the current display of local artworks. Or enjoy a cool beer at the friendliest Legion around, Branch #219, on Lower Road (886-9813) - from the main corner, just cross the bridge over Roberts Creek, and you're there.

SHOPS:
Check out the hemp products and locally-made jewellery, clothing and giftware at Elements Local Arts and Eco-Ware (740-0784), or browse through the great selection of knitting and weaving supplies at Knitwits (885-2240). If you need to stock up on health foods, Roberts Creek Health Foods has just opened in the same block. Watch out for children at the school playground, soccer field and basketball court just across the road.

PLACES TO SEE:
Leaving the Heart of the Creek, if you follow Beach Avenue along the shoreline north from the General Store to Flume Road, there's a delightful picnic park. It offers a stretch of sandy beach with huge boulders sculpted by the waves. Or head back up Roberts Creek Road from the Store to Highway 101. The Community Hall is on the corner, a great place to dance the night away with the locals. Call the Hall booking coordinator at 886-3977 to find out what's on.

Just across the Highway and slightly south from the top of Roberts Creek Road is the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club, a full 18-hole course open to the public (885-9212). Or take a terrific hike through Cliff Gilker Park with well-maintained trails, towering cedars and tumbling creeks. There's also a playground there for the little guys and a ballfield.

For road biking enthusiasts, there's no better place than the Creek. Explore the neighbourhood - the natives are friendly - or there's a paved bike path parallel to the highway from Roberts Creek Road to Flume. (Plans are in the works for an extended bike trail running the entire length of the Coast - keep checking!)

MOUNT ELPHINSTONE:
For off-road biking and hiking adventures, visit Mount Elphinstone, rising above Roberts Creek to the northeast. It's a beautiful natural forest with a whole network of terrific trails - from quiet, easy strolls to steep, advanced treks. The Gibsons Landing Heritage Society has been diligent in upgrading and marking many of the old logging roads and building new trails through the forest. Maps are essential in this area, as some of the logging roads are still in active use. Call the Heritage Society (886-8998), or check out the excellent guidebook Sunshine and Salt Air (available from Harbour Publishing, 883-2730) for details of hiking and biking in this area.

The Elphinstone forest is known for its diversity of mushroom species and other flowering plants that contain no chlorophyll: the gnome plant, coral root orchid and pinesap. Early summer is the best time to seek these rarities, and many other mushroom varieties appear in the fall. The Elphinstone Living Forest is a local group dedicated to having the park declared a protected area. They have published an excellent guide to the trails in the forest. Check out their website for more information, or you can contact ELF by email (elf@sunshine.net), by fax (604-886-2883), or by mail (Adrian Belshaw, General Delivery, Roberts Creek, V0N 2W0).

BY WATER:
Of course, the best way to really appreciate the Sunshine Coast is to travel by water. The countless inlets and islands are perfect for kayaking, sailing or pleasure cruising. See the list of operators with kayak rentals available. If you own your own boat, there are many marinas and marine parks in the area - tie up for a night or a month to enjoy the waterways of the Coast.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Roberts Creek has a great selection of bed and breakfast accommodation, from funky to fancy. If you're looking for a campsite, try the provincial park north along Highway 101 from Flume Road. There are plenty of spaces for tents or RVs but nothing fancy like hot water. If you can't make it without your morning shower, you might prefer the Wilson Creek Campground just down the road a bit.

THE ARTS:
Roberts Creek (like the rest of the Sunshine Coast) is famous for its artists, crafters and otherwise talented folk. In every block you'll see signboards advertising home-based businesses ranging from therapeutic massage to organic produce to attorney services. Many of these artists open their home studios to the public. There are also a number of public galleries and storefronts to visit. Spend a day taking a self-guided studio tour to see this creative talent at work.

This brief tour is just to whet your appetite for more. For details, maps, brochures or more information:

Check out the book Sunshine and Salt Air: The Sunshine Coast Visitor's Guide, an indispensable guide to recreation on the Sunshine Coast.
Explore the Sunshine Coast Regional District's list of 101 Things To Do on the Sunshine Coast.
See the suggestions for rainy day activities.
Visit one of the Info Centres:

SUNSHINE COAST TRAVEL INFO CENTRES:
Gibsons ~ 886-2325
Sechelt ~ 885-1036
Pender Harbour ~ 883-2561

Enjoy your visit to the Sunshine Coast, and tell them bigpacific.com sent you!

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A tour of Roberts Creek

ABOUT ROBERTS CREEK

COMMUNITY INFO

WHERE TO STAY

WHAT TO DO

DINING

ABOUT THE COAST

TRAVEL EXTRAS

CONVENTIONS/ GROUP TRAVEL

CONTACT US

SEARCH/HELP

ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE

A tour of Roberts Creek

ABOUT
ROBERTS CREEK

CONVENTIONS/
GROUP TRAVEL