Peaceful, calm and connected to its stunning setting, Sunshine Coast Lodge is an ultra-private back-to-nature secluded oasis with beautiful views of water, forest and mountain peaks stretched out in every direction. If you could turn back time to a much simpler life this is your chance!

Situated 10 minutes by boat from Egmont on the quiet waters of Sechelt Inlet lies the exclusive Sunshine Coast Lodge. This 20 acre ocean front paradise offers 660 feet of easy access waterfront along with its own private beach, 2 beautiful country style cabins, 10,000 square feet of garden space with a green house and a beautiful orchard boasting more than 60 mature fruit and nut trees. This is the place for year round adventures wrapped up in some of the most spectacular west coast scenery. Spend endless days exploring, beachcombing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and site seeing, in the prolific waters of Sechelt Inlet.

Doriston is a small community situated southeast of Egmont and the Skookumchuk Narrows. There are only 13 properties side by side over the space of a few kilometers. The area was first settled in the early 1900’s when a Sawmill was built.

The Gjerdin family arrived from Sweden in 1924. Oskar Gjerdin, with the help of his wife, Albertina, carved a “stump ranch” from the wilds, built and repaired boats, grew a huge garden, raised sheep, and, according to the Peninsula Times, “cured his own tobacco for over 40 years”. There was three children – Gunnar, Martin and Harriet and the two boys stayed for most of their lives. They built two fishing boats, the Echo and the Orivo, which they moored in a dredged out boat harbor in front of their property and constructed a breakwater for protection. In winter, they logged. They put in a Pelton water wheel for electricity. Their gardens were legendary, and so was their hospitality. Gunnar was an openhearted soul, quick to drop his tools and greet or entertain visitors.

Gunnar loved parties, and the Gjerdin home was the site of an annual event known as Doriston Days, as well as other more impromptu celebrations. Social functions were always marked by an abundance of fresh local foods. Fortunate indeed were the souls who sampled Gunnar’s ginger oysters, rolled in cornstarch with salt and pepper, then fried in butter and olive oil with a generous sprinkle of lemon juice and Crabbe’s ginger wine. Everyone on the inlet knew the Gjerdins. Gunnar, in particular, as the oldest inhabitant, became known as the “mayor” of Doriston and died in December 2003 at the age of 90. He outlived his brother, Martin, and his wife Cherry. A final party was held in his memory, at Egmont Community Hall on the northern end of the Sechelt Peninsula. The place was packed. Friends sang songs in his honor, read poems and reminisced. Many tales were related of Gunnar’s garden and his frequent gifts of giant vegetables.