AllWays Traveller Features
Ontario road trips
Ontario can lay claim to some of the most scenic road trips, embracing lakes, forests, smalltowns and cosmopolitan cities.
Georgian Bay Coastal Route
The Georgian Bay Coastal Route travels along sandy coastlines and wilderness trails and the chance to visit Blue Mountain Resort, a lakeside resort offering caving, kayaking, golf, climbing, e-biking and hiking.
Wasaga Beach is the world's longest freshwater beach and at Tobermory, visitors can enjoy a glassbottomed boat tour of the crystal clear waters, or explore Fathom Five National Marine Park.
The ferry goes to Manitoulin Island,the world's largest freshwater island, where one can learn about Ontario's indigenous culture and experience a traditional Pow Wow.
There's also the chance to take in Killarney Provincial Park before reaching Parry Sound and a cruise around Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands aboard the Island Queen Boat.
The roadtrip continues through Muskoka, a place to spot wildlife such as the iconic Canadian Moose or canoe on the calm waters.
It is then a two hour drive to Toronto,
Trailfinders offer a 'Northern Ontario: First Nations, Lakes & Wilderness Wonders Tour' for travellers interested in this area.
Thunder Bay and Pukaskwa Park
Beginning in Thunder Bay this roadtrip travels along the coast of the north shore of Lake Superior is spectacular.
One of the best views can be found from the top of the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Thunder Bay and to visit Fort William Historic Park.
The fort is a reconstruction of the Fort William fur trade post as it existed in 1815 when Northwestern Indigenous inhabitants came together with French and British settlers to make trades.
Whilein the Thunder Bay region, Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park offers beautiful panoramic views of a 150 metre-wide gorge and sheer cliffs.
The roadtrip then continues to Pukaskwa National Park.
With no road access into the park, there are hiking trails from White Gravel River, Fisherman's Cove, Oiseau Bay, Shot Watch Cove and Playter Harbour.
Hikers will be rewarded with sandy beaches, turquoise waters and magnificent views.
There's the chance to stop at Wawa to see the world's largest Canadian Goose statue and White River, where Winnie the Pooh was born.
From here, the roadtrip continues through Lake Superior Provincial Park to Sault Ste. Marie where there is the option to take a scenic journey on the Agawa Canyon Train.
This one-day wilderness train tour takes visitors 183 kilometres north of Sault Ste. Marie and hugs the shorelines oflakes and rivers to Agawa Canyon.
In doing so it crosses the Canadian Shield, which inspired some of Canada's most notable landscape artists, The Group of Seven.
Windows on the Wild offers a Pukaskwa Costal Hike package.
Toronto to Niagara Falls
This roadtrip takes visitors from the city of Toronto to the Niagara Falls and Blue Mountain.
In Toronto, visitors have a range of activities and sights to choose from including the CN tower and Edge Walk, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, The Distillery District and Toronto Islands.
Next on this roadtrip is Niagara Falls where 150,000 gallons of water pass over the falls per second.
Visitors can opt from a number of different tours including Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Journey behind the Falls and Niagara Jet Boat Tours.
WildPlay has also recently launched a brand new 200ft-high zipline experience that propels tourists more than 40 miles per hour along the edge of the vast river gorge, as well as their Whirlpool Adventure Course – a thrilling experience of suspended obstacles and ziplines high above the whirlpool.
The roadtrip then goes on to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the heart of Ontario's wine region or Niagara's South Coast and known for its small town charm and laid-back beach vibe.
This roadtrip ends in the beautiful Blue Mountain Resort where guests can enjoy kayaking, golf, climbing and the ridge runner mountain coaster.
Canadian Affair offers an 'Ontario Adrenalin' package.
1000 Islands and Ottawa
One of the more off-the-beaten-track destinations in Canada, 1000 Islands is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Taking this trip one can embark on a cruise of the 1000 Islands and experience the majesty of the St. Lawrence River and Millionaire's Row before heading to Ottawa along the Rideau Heritage Route.
Ottawa, Canada's capital, has a wealth of culture and history to offer.
The city's centre is located around the Parliament Hill with its grand Victorian architecture and museums such as the National Gallery of Canada and the park-lined Rideau Canal.
Nearby points of interest include the Peace Tower, Bytown museum, Confederation Square and the Changing of the Guard.
ByWard market, to the east of Parliament Hill, is home to a historic farmer's market and offers a vast array of shops and a number of restaurants and clubs.
Canadian Sky offers a package which includes 1000 Islands and Ottawa as well as Toronto, Niagara Falls, Kingston, Algonquin Provincial Park, Huntsville, Wasaga and Barrie.
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