21 July 2021

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Discover Lighthouses & Marine Heritage

Discover Lighthouses & Marine Heritage :: Itineraries :: Lighthouses of Georgian Bay

Lighthouses of Georgian Bay (10 Days)

Follow the Georgian Bay Coastal Route around Georgian Bay as you stop to visit the lighthouses and marine heritage attractions along the way. This 10 day tour is complete with suggestions on where to stay and eat along the way.


View Lighthouses of Georgian Bay in a larger map

Day 1

Your tour begins in Honey Harbour today, where you’ll board the Daytripper water taxi to Georgian Bay Islands National Park.  Your day will involve hiking to view the lighthouses of Beausoleil and Brebeuf Islands.  Be sure to pack a picnic lunch, as there are no services available once on this wilderness island.  Once on shore, take the Huron Trail across the island to the northern segment of the Georgian Trail.  Here you can view the front range Brebeuf Island Light from afar, and the back range Beausoleil Island Light.  At the end of your daytrip, take the water taxi back to shore, and check in at your accommodation.

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

Things to Do:

  • Beausoleil Island Light Range
    Honey Harbour/Beausoleil Island
    Location: 1/4 mile east on the west shore of the Island
    P. 705-526-9804
  • Brebeuf Island Light
    Honey Harbour
    Location: Brebeuf Island - 7 miles north of Midland or view from Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay Islands National Park
  • Georgian Bay Islands National Park
    Honey Harbour/Beausoleil Island
    Location: By boat only - Beausoleil Island
    P. 705-526-9804
    http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/georg/index_E.asp

Day 2

Today you’ll make your way to the scenic village of Killarney with marine heritage stops along the way.  As you pass through Parry Sound, be sure to stop for lunch and a visit to the West Parry Sound District Museum.  Here you will find a 96 foot tower with views of Georgian Bay and exhibits on shipping in the local area.  Next, set your sights on French River and its Parks Canada Visitor Centre, where you will learn the history of Canada’s first Heritage River.  Stretch your legs with a walk across one of the world’s longest snowmobile bridges, crossing the French River gorge.  Finally you’ll make your way to Killarney and your stop for the night.

Distance:
Port Severn to Parry Sound (76 km (47 miles), 50 mins)
Parry Sound to French River (100 km (60 miles), 1 hr 15 mins)
French River to Killarney (95 km (60 miles), 2 hrs 5 mins)

Accommodation Options:

  • Killarney Mountain Lodge
    Village of Killarney, Killarney
    Directions: In the Village of Killarney
    P. 1-800-461-1117
    http://www.killarney.com

Lunch Options:

  • Sound Grillhouse
    2 James Street, Parry Sound
    P. 705-746-3712
  • Bay Street Café
    22 Bay Street,, Parry Sound
    Directions: on Bay Street across form the Island Queen dock
    P. 705-746-2882

Dinner Options:

  • Herbert Fisheries Mister Perch
    21 Channel Street,, Killarney
    P. 705-287-2214
  • Killarney Mountain Lodge
    Killarney
    P. 1-800-461-1117
    http://www.killarney.com

Things to Do:

Day 3

Explore the quaint village of Killarney today, its Provincial Park and its lighthouses.  You’ll find the Killarney East Light perched on a beautiful promontory of rock 30 feet above the waters of Georgian Bay.   The grounds of this lighthouse are open to the public and are accessed off Ontario Street.  Next, take a water taxi from the harbour to view the Killarney West Light in its distinctive site on Partridge Island.  As part of your Killarney experience, be sure to visit Herbert Fisheries Mr. Perch on the dock (you can’t miss the red bus!), for out of this world fresh whitefish and chips.  When you’ve completed your Killarney exploration, head north to Sudbury where you’ll spend the night, do some shopping and enjoy the hospitality of this northern Ontario city.

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

  • Pasta e Vino Ristorante
    118 Paris Street,, Sudbury
    P. 705-674-3050
  • Umai Japanese Restaurant
    1875 Paris Street,, Sudbury
    P. 705-673-8075
  • Respect Is Burning
    82 Durham Street,, Sudbury
    P. 705-675-5777
    http://www.ribsupperclub.com/
  • Verdicchio Ristorante-Enoteca
    1351 Kelly Lake Road ,, Sudbury
    P. 705-523-2794
    http://www.ristoranteverdicchio.com/

Things to Do:

  • Killarney East Light
    Killarney
    Location: Red Rock Point - 1 mile east of the village at the end of Ontario Street
  • Killarney West Light
    Killarney
    Location: Partridge Island

Day 4

Get an early start this morning as you’re making your way to Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island.  As you cross onto the island at Little Current, stop to admire the swing bridge, it’s the oldest in North America and swings 15 minutes on the hour to allow boat traffic to pass through the North Channel.   Further off in the channel, you’ll notice the Strawberry Island Lighthouse, perched on the north end of the island by the same name.  Next, follow highway 5540 to Kagawong for a stop at Bridal Veil Falls, before viewing the Kagawong Lighthouse guarding the harbour as it sits at the tip of Mudge Bay.  Finally, make your way to Gore Bay, where you’ll relax for the night after visiting the Gore Bay (Janet Head) Lighthouse.  This lighthouse, now a private home, is open to the public during July and August from 1 to 3 pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Distance:
Sudbury to Little Current (120 km (75 miles), 1 hr 45 mins)
Little Current to Kagawong (45 km (28 miles), 55 mins)
Kagawong to Gore Bay (20 km (11 miles), 25 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

  • Café on the Bay
    24 Water Street, Gore Bay
    P. 705-282-3111

Things to Do:

  • Bridal Veil Falls
    Kagawong
    Location: Hwy 540 at Kagawong
  • Gore Bay (Janet Head) Lighthouse
    Gore Bay
    Location: End of Water Street
  • Kagawong Lighthouse
    Kagawong
    Location: Located near the marina on the hill above the harbour
  • Strawberry Island Lighthouse
    Little Current
    Location: Northern edge of Strawberry Island just off the north end of Manitoulin
  • Swing Bridge
    Little Current
    Location: Hwy 6 to the information centre for parking.

Day 5

Head for Meldrum Bay on the western coast of the island this morning.  Here you’ll find the Mississagi Lighthouse and the Net Shed Museum.  The lighthouse has been turned into a museum complete with replica furnishings and you can climb the light tower.  The Net Shed Museum, is located in the former net shed used by local fisherman, and displays fishing and marine heritage artifacts.  Feel like an extra day to explore?  Relax and stay for the night at the Meldrum Bay Inn.  Otherwise, after lunch, make your way to the southern shore of the island choosing to stay in either Providence Bay, or South Baymouth.  Stop for some relaxation along the Providence Bay beach, or take a walk along the boardwalk.  Whether you arrive in South Baymouth today or tomorrow morning, check out the South Baymouth Front & Rear Range Lights, both marked with long red stripes running their height to provide ships with markers by day.  You’ll be able to view them from the South Baymouth Marina. (Please make reservations for the Chi-Cheemaun today for your sailing tomorrow).

Distance:
Gore Bay to Meldrum Bay (70 km (43 miles), 1 hr 45 mins)
Meldrum Bay to Providence Bay (90 km (60 miles), 2 hr 14 mins) or
Meldrum Bay to South Baymouth (120 km (75 miles), 3 hr)

Accommodation Options:

  • Red Rooster B&B;
    5382 Hwy 551 , Providence Bay
    P. 705-377-7114
  • The Dunes B & B
    5400 Hwy. 551 , Providence Bay
    Directions: In Tehkummah, take sideroad 10 off of highway 6, then turn left at government road and right on highway 551. Located just past the trailer park.
    P. 705-377-6134
    http://www.bbcanada.com/thedunes
  • Auberge Inn
    71 McNevin, Providence Bay
    P. 1-877-977-4392
    http://www.aubergeinn.ca

Lunch Options:

Dinner Options:

Things to Do:

  • Mississagi Lighthouse
    Meldrum Bay
    Location: Follow Hwy 540 to Meldrum Bay, then take Mississagi Lighthouse Rd. Located 12 km west of Meldrum Bay.

    http://www.themississagilighthouse.com/
  • Net Shed Museum
    Meldrum Bay
    Location: Main street in the village
    P. 705-282-2040
    http://www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/netshed_museum.htm
  • South Baymouth Front & Rear Range Lights
    South Baymouth
    Location: Front Range - rocky beach on the other side of the marina; Rear Range - on private property across from the marina

Day 6

Set sail today aboard the M.S. Chi-Cheemaun from South Baymouth to Tobermory.  (Please be sure to arrive at the ferry terminal early to avoid disappointment and to validate your reservation).  Pay special attention on the Starboard side.  About 30 minutes before your arrival in Tobermory you’ll pass by the Cove Island Lighthouse (visibility is weather dependent) a beautiful preserved Imperial Tower.  Upon arriving in Tobermory, make a visit to the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to learn more about Fathom Five National Marine Park.   Inside you’ll find a replica lighthouse, while outside you can climb the viewing tower high above the trees for birds eye view of Georgian Bay.   Visit the Big Tub Lighthouse, then the Little Tub Harbour to spend some time enjoying the sights and sounds of this picturesque village.

Distance:
South Baymouth to Tobermory (sailing time approximately 2 hours 15 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

Things to Do:

Day 7

Before leaving town today take the time to enjoy a glass bottom boat tour, exploring Fathom Five National Marine Park and its shipwrecks, and stopping for a short hike on Flowerpot Island.  Here you’ll marvel at the sea stacks carved into the limestone and find the former lighthouse keepers quarters (now a museum) at the end of the trail. Back ashore, its time to follow the Coastal Route south.   You’ll find Cabot Head Lighthouse along the shores of Georgian Bay, by following Dyers Bay Road east off of Highway 6.  Located within a Provincial Nature Reserve, the Cabot Head Lighthouse and museum is open to the public from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week from May to October.  Your last stop for today is in Lion’s Head.  You’ll find theLion’s Head Lighthouse at the Marina.

Distance:
Tobermory to Cabot Head (39 km (24 miles), 45 mins)
Cabot Head to Lion’s Head (42 km (26 miles), 50 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

Things to Do:

Suppliers:

Day 8

Continue your tour today with some heritage stops along the way to Collingwood.  First stop is the Marine & Rail Museum located on the harbour in downtown Owen Sound.  View the artifacts and the photographs of the local marine and rail history before you make your way to Meaford where you can visit the Meaford Museum located on the picturesque Meaford harbour.   Continuing on your way to Collingwood, stop in Craigleith to admire the view of the Nottawasaga Lighthouse guarding the entrance to the Collingwood Harbour in the distance.  Once in Collingwood, relax and enjoy the sights or continue your heritage theme today with a visit to the Collingwood Museum to learn the history of the town’s shipyard, native and transportation heritage.

Distance:
Lion’s Head to Owen Sound (65 km (40 miles), 1 hr)
Owen Sound to Meaford (30 km (18 miles), 20 mins)

Accommodation Options:

Lunch Options:

  • Thornbury Bakery
    12 Bruce Street South,, PO Box 204,, Thornbury
    P. 519-599-3311
  • Sisi on Main
    27 Bruce Street South,, Thornbury
    P. 519-599-7769
    http://www.sisionmain.com

Dinner Options:

Things to Do:

Day 9

Wasaga Beach is your destination this morning.  The Nancy Island Historic Site houses a replica lighthouse and the original hull of the HMS Nancy schooner, which was sunk in the Nottawasaga River to protect the community in 1814.  While you’re here, enjoy a stroll along the world’s longest freshwater beach before making your way east.  Before you arrive in Midland or Penetanguishene, head to Cedar Point.  Take the ferry to Christian Island, where you’ll find the Christian Island Lighthouse. In town, pay a visit to the Lighthouse Store where you’ll find lighthouse and nautical gifts and treasures.

Distance:
Collingwood to Wasaga Beach (14 km (9 miles), 15 mins)
Wasaga Beach to Midland or Penetanguishene (45 km (miles), 1 hr)

Accommodation Options:

Dining Options:

Things to Do:

Day 10

On this, the last day of your Georgian Bay Lighthouse Tour, spend the morning at Discovery Harbour, viewing the replica 19th century community and British ships located on scenic Penetanguishene Bay and the afternoon relaxing aboard a scenic 30,000 Islands Cruise.      
 

Things to Do:

Suppliers:


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