Georgian Bay

Welcome to Georgian Bay Township, where hospitality has been a way of life since the first resorts and boat liveries sprang up more than a hundred years ago. Rich in history, the region was dominated by the lumber industry in the 1800s and became a thriving tourist community with easy boat access from Georgian Bay to the Trent-Severn Waterway, bustling with fishing groups, tourists and barges filled with lumber and supplies for the growing cottage communities along the water.

Known for the friendly, courteous people who live, work and play here, this township provides the best
services for their visitors: the marine mechanic who fixes your boat; the staff who serve up some of those wonderful home-style or gourmet meals; the builders who craft fine year-round homes, quaint cabins or grand, Muskoka-style cottages; the photographer who captures those special places that are in abundance here; the fishing guides who know just where to catch that big fish and the boating enthusiast who likes to explore the many bays and rivers.

The UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve starts here, where the Trent-Severn waters go into Georgian Bay and northward along its breathtaking shores.

Awaken your adventurous spirit. Exhilarate in the memorable views of ancient Canadian Shield rock, pine trees and sparkling vistas of Georgian Bay, and the inland lakes and rivers that form the unique landscape. Hear the wind forcing its way through the bending white pines or the haunting call of the loon over the still water in the morning. Energize on the numerous biking trails like those in and about the village of MacTier through scenic countryside.

One of Canada’s finest national treasures is here in our own backyard. In Georgian Bay Islands National Park, 14 square kilometres of spectacular landscapes, diverse habitats and the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield are accentuated by the windswept white pine and granite often the subject of artists and photographers. Beausoleil Island, the largest of the islands in the park, offers mooring, camping, cabins, educational programs and hiking trails.

Six Mile Lake Provincial Park boasts sandy beaches, swimming, canoeing and fishing, and a scenic hiking trail. The lake is part of a historic canoe route. Extreme paddling for the adventurous, or portaging the scenic rapids, canoeists and kayakers can experience the ever-popular 56-km Gibson-McDonald canoe route carved through the Canadian Shield from the Georgian Bay shore to inland lakes, rivers and creeks.

Whether by boat or by car, no visit is complete without a trip to see the one-of-a-kind Big Chute Marine Railway, in operation from mid-May until mid-October, on the historic Trent-Severn Waterway.

From serene to stimulating, this incredible region inspires creativity in art and design. Take in the incredible palette of the warm earthy tones to the brilliant blues, crimson and gold found in our natural environment as so many artists and photographers do. Refresh the senses as you explore the forests and wilderness where renowned Canadian artists Tom Thompson, A.Y. Jackson, Frederick Varley, Arthur Lismer and Lawren Harris, from the Group of Seven, found inspiration along the shores of Georgian Bay and Go Home Bay.

Follow the footsteps of David Milne as he would muse upon the pattern of the forest outside the door of his secluded cabin during his years on Six Mile Lake. Visit Milne’s 1930’s cabin, now located beside the Georgian Bay Township Historical Society Barn Museum in Port Severn for public viewing.

Locals and visitors alike enjoy the cuisine, cultural atmosphere and hospitality our many fine restaurants and cafés offer. Often, the distinctive improvisational stylings of jazz musicians or local rock ’n’ roll bands can be heard from the many waterfront restaurants. So, after a day in the sun on the boat, or after a game of golf at Oak Bay Golf Course, the newest Muskoka golf course on the shores of Georgian Bay, or to warm up after a day of snowmobiling, ATVing or skiing, the hospitality of these fine establishments is a welcoming end to a perfect day.

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