Georgian Bay highlights tour

Our Home and Native Land

Head north from Toronto to start your Georgian Bay tour near Midland at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Ontario’s first European settlement. It’s like spending a few hours visiting the early 1600s. Hear Indigenous storytelling in a longhouse, learn about Huron medicine and watch a blacksmith perform his craft using the heat from a wood-burning fire.

Ready to get outside? Situated on the Niagara Escarpment and overlooking Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain Resort is a four-season recreation destination. Go hiking, cycling, caving, golfing or skiing. Take a Segway tour or ride a gondola to get panoramic views. At Scenic Caves Nature Adventures discover ancient rock formations and sweeping views; for a real rush, try the tree top walk and zipline eco adventure tour zipline eco adventure tour.

Rejuvenate at Scandinave Spa’s tranquil forest setting. Blue Mountain’s lively pedestrian village features accommodation, shopping, dining and entertainment, plus festivals & events all year-round.

Up the Bruce and Beyond

Head north to the ruggedly beautiful Bruce Peninsula National Park, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and formed by ancient glaciers. Explore the cliffs and caves on the famous Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and longest footpath. Board a glass bottom boat to get a first-hand look at century-old shipwrecks and the dramatic Flowerpot Island, all part of Fathom Five National Marine Park. Or get even closer if you’re into scuba diving!

From Tobermory, at the tip of “The Bruce”, board the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island. Wikwemikong Tourism offers nature-based and cultural tourism from an Indigenous perspective.

The Jewel in the Crown

Exit by the north end of Manitoulin and head to Killarney – crown jewel among Ontario’s provincial parks. From afar you’ll see its white quartzite mountains, rising above clear blue waters and surrounded by windswept pines. Up close you’ll understand why this region inspired the famous Canadian Group of Seven artists to paint iconic Ontario landscapes. Camp and hike around the park or explore it by canoe. But nature lovers don’t have to rough it – book a few nights at Killarney Mountain Lodge and enjoy home-cooked meals. Hike up the La Cloche Mountains for a panoramic view. Then cap off the day with a sunset sailboat cruise – simply breathtaking.

Beyond the Call of Beauty

For unspoiled beauty on a large scale, make your way to the world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park, with more than 2,400 lakes! Swim and paddle in crystal-clear waters. Ride a bike along an abandoned railway line or hike interpretive trails. You’re bound to see some of the local inhabitants, including moose and beaver. The anglers among you might be lured by the brook trout and lake trout fishing – some of the best on the planet. Listen for the call of the loon as you recharge at a local lodge or lakeside cottage from Voyageur Quest. Explore the park on a canoe trip or just relax at a yoga retreat from Northern Edge Algonquin.

Magical Muskoka

Discover this picturesque area renowned for its deep-blue lakes, rugged granite landscapes and boreal forests. Cruise past luxurious cottages on the historic  

RMS Segwun in Gravenhurst. Explore charming towns like Bala and Port Carling. Wander through artists’ studios and galleries. Take the Bog to Bottle Discovery Tour at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery.  

Nearby, get up close to an energized wolf pack or take a Walk in the Clouds on a canopy tour at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve – don’t worry, you’ll be safe! Throughout the region, marvel at forests of stunning reds, oranges and yellows each fall. In the winter, experience the magic of dogsledding through a silent forest with Winterdance. Choose accommodation that suits you; from cozy self-catering cottages to stately lakeside lodges to sophisticated resorts, such as the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka and Deerhurst Resort.