Located on Malcolm Island, Sointula (which means “place of harmony”) was founded by Finnish settlers in an idealistic attempt to create a utopian colony almost a century ago. The community has a fascinating and dramatic history, which embodies the Finnish characteristic of “sisu” or tenacity. Today, Sointula is a commercial fishing centre with a distinctive Finnish flavour. Many of the present-day residents live in settlers’ homes, with wooden saunas and boatsheds still lining the waterfront.
