Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Jan 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 38 days
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Details
Description
We are a family of five (Mum-Valerie, Dad - Peter, Kids - Maggie and Molly, and Dog - Mavis) who have the great fortune to live on the Sunshine Coast of BC and are owners of a working Oyster Farm located in Sechelt Inlet Marine Park as well as a beautiful home overlooking the inlet in Sandy Hook.
The farm is water access only (we have a classic wooden boat that gets us there in 15 minutes), with a cabin perched over the water. It's rustic but has everything you need to be comfortable. We have canoes and fishing rods, several trails on the property.
The farm is surrounded by Mt. Richardson Provincial Park (boundary runs around us) located at the base of the mountain within a protected cove. Lots of bird life and sea life. We need 2 to 4 people to help maintain the site, mostly heavy duty yard work such as clearing invasive weeds, helping repair oyster rafts, fixing one of the decks, cleaning the cabins.
We also just purchased a house in Sandy Hook that we are in the process of renovating and landscaping - so people could help at both sites, depending on the time of year. Most recently we have had our workways help with the reno and then visit the farm on their days off.
We were the initial operators of a local resort (also featured on this site) and the first few reviews were from our workaways. So this isn't our first rodeo - we love the Workaway program and are looking forward to sharing our amazing part of the world with some new people :) Looking for people to stay with us for one to two weeks.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn about oyster farming as a traditional form of aquaculture as well as how to live off grid (solar and propone). The Sunshine Coast hasn't been spoiled by too much tourism and there are so many places to explore.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Oyster Farm: Heavy duty yard work, clearing overgrown bush, repairing rafts and deck. Cleaning the cabins, maybe putting a new lick of paint in some places. You would be working with Peter most of the time.
Reno Project: Demo, yard work, helping with construction.
Oh and Mavis is always up for a good walk!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a large cabin with a full kitchen and shower area with a composting toilet and a second smaller cabin. Workways can have this cabin most of the time. If we (Valerie and kids) visit there is a second smaller cabin that is available. But mostly you would have the place to yourselves.
In Sandy Hook we have a 19ft travel trailer that a single or couple could stay in. Comfortable and lot of privacy. When you are in Sandy Hook you'd eat with us.
What else ...
When you are not working and at the farm you can canoe, fish, swim, explore the property, watch movies (we have a small TV and lots of movies to choose from), read, relax. During days off you can stay in at our house or Porpoise Bay provincial park (we can lend you camping equipment) and there is a ton of things to do on the Sunshine Coast. We just bought a beautiful classic wooden boat that we use to get to the farm - it sleeps 3 people.
Several lovely small towns to explore, great hiking, mountain biking and down hill at Coast Gravity Park. You would have the option of staying with us on your days off or doing your own thing. Our house would be available for you to do laundry and you will be welcome to join us for meals. There is no transportation into town so we would give or organize rides for you.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (15)
PS: if you want to see a bear, they sometimes pass by the garden - saw one, true story… read more
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PS: if you want to see a bear, they sometimes pass by the garden - saw one, true story… read more
Wish we could have stayed longer and we definitely recommend this place.
It's impossible to expect better for a first Workaway! Maybe it's the bad point =P!
It's the best experience I can which to someone, do just let's go and enjoy!!
Again thank you for everything =).
Thanks for the nice time in Sechelt. You have really welcomed us and we felt very well.That we were allowed to spend a weekend at Oyster Farm was very generous.
You kept us well fed and the work was always fun. Peter also supported us with our Van. Having Thanksgiving with you and your friends was a pleasure!
We envy you a… read more
During my stay I felt like being a part of the family and I enjoyed the delicious meals provided by Valerie, the evenings spent together and heaps of good… read more
The location is… read more
They were very generous to me and the work was never to hard. They took me to some really cool hikes and showed me a lot of the Sunshine Coast.
From Peter I´ve learned how to repair a tractor. that was… read more
Peter assigned me various easy… read more
Even though I was just staying with Valerie and Peter for a couple of days, I kind of fell in love with their oyster farm.
They're very nice people and they have a lot to tell you. Macy, the dog, was always keeping an eye on me while sleeping next to my bed the whole night, which was lovely.
The work was never to… read more
