Discover Ontario - Ontario Tourism

Bruce
Peninsula
Bruce
Peninsula
Bruce ALMIGHTY
Just 90 minutes from the bustle of Toronto, ‘The Bruce’ is one of Ontario’s most
remarkable natural wonders, containing not one, but two national parks
Apeninsula jutting northwest
from southern Ontario with
the main basin of Lake Huron
on one side and Georgian Bay on
the other, 'The Bruce' is part of the
Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO
World Biosphere Reserve. It contains
the largest remaining area of forest
and natural habitat in Southern
Ontario and is home to some of
the oldest trees in eastern North
America. An important stopover for
migrating birds, the peninsula is also
the precious habitat for a variety of
animals, including black bear, northern
flying squirrel and barred owl. It’s
also stunningly beautiful – each
year thousands of visitors come to
enjoy the massive rugged cliffs of
the Bruce Peninsula National Park,
where 1,000-year-old cedar trees
overhang the clear waters of Georgian
Bay. Activities within the park include
boating, canoeing/kayaking,
swimming, bouldering and hiking – on
the Bruce Trail, Canada’s oldest and
longest footpath (see page 4).
At Tobermory, on the tip of
the peninsula, you can board
a glass-bottom boat and observe
century-old shipwrecks and the
dramatic Flowerpot Island, all part
of the Fathom Five National Marine
Park of Canada. Known as the scuba
diving capital of Canada, Fathom Five
has 22 shipwrecks offering thrills for
both novice diver and expert. The
wrecks, mostly schooners, barges and
steamers, are amongst the oldest and
best-preserved wrecks in Canada –
many dating back to the mid-1800s
before lighthouses were erected in the
area. Some of these are so shallow
that you can just snorkel to them.
Tobermory is also the gateway to
Northern Ontario – from here, board
the Chi-cheemaun Ferry to Manitoulin
Island (see pages 16-17). Make your
reservation at www.ontarioferries.com
as they get booked up over summer!
In the area...
BLUE MOUNTAIN
If you want a soft, family adventure package with a multitude
of activities on your doorstep, Blue Mountain Resort is ideal
Located on the Niagara
Escarpment, near Collingwood,
a 90-minute drive from Toronto,
Blue Mountain is a year-round
family adventure resort. The
diverse menu of activities includes
mountain biking, tree top walking,
ziplining, high rope challenges,
sightseeing gondola rides, a
mountain rollercoaster, rock
climbing wall, aquatics centre, golf
and Segway tours. And in the winter
Blue Mountain turns into a ski
resort, with 36 downhill runs from
beginner to double black diamond.
Blue Mountain also has its own
private beach on the shores of
Georgian Bay, a 10-minute drive
from the resort village. Spend the
morning paddling along the serene
shoreline, grab lunch fresh off the
grill and then take the afternoon to
relax in the sand or challenge the
kids to a game of beach volleyball.
Accommodation is in hotels,
condos and town and mountain
houses centred on Blue Mountain
Village which is home to a variety
of boutiques, restaurants, spas and
nightlife. (www.bluemountain.ca)
HOLIDAY OFFER
Ontario hike
and drive
Cost: From £664pp,
Duration: 7 nights
Operator: Discover the World
This leisurely paced self-drive
holiday takes you right off the
beaten track to the little-visited
Bruce Peninsula, a haven for
hikers, bikers and kayakers. With
plenty of leisure time at Blue
Mountain Resort and Tobermory,
you can choose to be as active
or as lazy as you wish!
For more information, go to
ontariotravel.net/ukadventure
10 DISCOVER ONTARIO
To plan your Ontario Adventure go to www.ontariotravel.net/ukadventure DISCOVER ONTARIO 11