21 July 2021

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Discover Lighthouses & Marine Heritage

Discover Lighthouses & Marine Heritage :: Itineraries :: Eastern Georgian Bay Marine Heritage Tour

Eastern Georgian Bay Marine Heritage Tour (5 Days)

Enjoy the marine heritage of the east coast of Georgian Bay on this 5 day Georgian Bay Coastal Route Lighthouse & Marine Heritage Tour. You'll stay at the finest of accommodations along the way.


View Eastern Georgian Bay Marine Heritage Tour - Georgian Bay Coastal Route - Lighthouse Tour Itinerary in a larger map

Day 1

While the eastern shore of Georgian Bay has many lighthouses to guide boat traffic through this 30,000 Island UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, most are unfortunately only accessible by private boat and some by experienced kayakers.  As such, this tour will showcase the rich marine heritage of the area, dotted with lighthouses along the way.  (If you are planning to travel by boat or kayak (experienced kayakers only), please see the complete listing of lighthouses in the Parry Sound Area, and consult local marine navigational maps.) 

Your tour begins in Honey Harbour today, as you travel to Georgian Bay Islands National Park for some hiking and the chance to view two Georgian Bay lighthouses.  Pack a picnic lunch and take the Daytripper water taxi to Beausoleil Island.  To view the front range, Brebeuf Island Light from afar, hike the Huron Trail from the water taxi access across the island to pick up the northern segment of the Georgian Trail on Beausoleil Island.  You’ll find the rear range Beausoleil Island Light Range located ¼ mile east of Brebeuf Island, on the west shore of Beausoleil Island.

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 Parry Sound visiting some marine heritage sites in the Muskoka region before you arrive.  Your first stop is the Big Chute Marine Railway, where during the busy summer months you can view boats being lifted 18 meters between Gloucester Pool and the Severn River.  Next travel to Gravenhurst where you’ll find Grace & Speed, The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre and experience the history of life on the water.

Distance:
Port Severn to Big Chute (17 km (11 miles), 20 mins),
Big Chute to Gravenhurst (90 km (56 miles), 1 hour 15 mins),
Gravenhurst to Parry Sound (84 km (52 miles), 1 hour 30 mins)

Accommodation Options:

  • Log Cabin Inn
    Oastler Park Dr., RR#2, Parry Sound
    Directions: Exit #224 Bowes Street off Highway 400. Turn left at Oastler Park Drive. Turn left Log Cabin.
    P. 705-746-7122
    http://www.logcabininn.net
  • Bayside Inn
    10 Gibson Street, Parry Sound
    Directions: Exit 224 Bowes Street on Highway 400. Follow Bowes Street which changes name to Seguin. Turn left at Gibson Street.
    P. 866-833-8864
    http://www.psbaysideinn.com

Dining 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

Things to Do:

  • Big Chute Marine Railway & White's Falls
    Big Chute
    Location: Hwy 34 east of Hwy 400
  • Grace & Speed, The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre
    275 Steamship Bay Road, Gravenhurst
    P. 705-687-2115
    http://www.segwun.com

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast, start your day today at the West Parry Sound District Museum (Museum on Tower Hill).  Located on Tower Hill, this museum houses a changing calendar of exhibits including one on shipping.  Be sure to climb the 96 foot observation tower for a view over Georgian Bay.  Enjoy your afternoon on a 30,000 Island Boat Cruise aboard the M.V. Chippewa III or The Island Queen.

Accommodation Options:

  • Log Cabin Inn
    Oastler Park Dr., RR#2, Parry Sound
    Directions: Exit #224 Bowes Street off Highway 400. Turn left at Oastler Park Drive. Turn left Log Cabin.
    P. 705-746-7122
    http://www.logcabininn.net
  • Bayside Inn
    10 Gibson Street, Parry Sound
    Directions: Exit 224 Bowes Street on Highway 400. Follow Bowes Street which changes name to Seguin. Turn left at Gibson Street.
    P. 866-833-8864
    http://www.psbaysideinn.com

Dining 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

Things to Do:

  • 30,000 Island Boat Cruise
    Parry Sound
  • West Parry Sound District Museum on Tower Hill
    17 George Street, Parry Sound
    Location: Tower Hill
    P. 705-746-5365
    http://www.wpsdm.com

Suppliers:

Day 4

You’re on your way north today. First stop – the French River Visitor Centre.  Hike across one of the longest snowmobile bridges in the world and follow the trail to Recollet Falls, then make your way inside to view the “Voices of the River” exhibit which tells the story of Canada’s first heritage river – the French River.    Finish your day in the picturesque village of Killarney, on the shores of Georgian Bay.

Distance:
Parry Sound to French River (100 km (60 miles), 1 hour 15 mins)
French River to Killarney (100 km (60 miles), 2 hours)

Accommodation Options:

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

Dining 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 5

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.

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

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