Alexa's Cottage guidebook
City/town information
Tobermory
Cute town with shopping, dining and amenities
One visit to Lion’s Head and you will want to make it a regular stop while visiting the Bruce Peninsula. When locals and visitors are asked to describe Lion’s Head, they typically pause and say “you can’t…it‘s a feeling“. There is a sense of serenity like you have just come home. The scenery is nothing less than stunning. The limestone cliffs rise from the turquoise Caribbean- coloured waters, and at sunrise and sunset, they have an amazing “pink” aura, due to the sun’s reflection.
You will find town amenities like dining and groceries here as well.
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Lion's Head
One visit to Lion’s Head and you will want to make it a regular stop while visiting the Bruce Peninsula. When locals and visitors are asked to describe Lion’s Head, they typically pause and say “you can’t…it‘s a feeling“. There is a sense of serenity like you have just come home. The scenery is nothing less than stunning. The limestone cliffs rise from the turquoise Caribbean- coloured waters, and at sunrise and sunset, they have an amazing “pink” aura, due to the sun’s reflection.
You will find town amenities like dining and groceries here as well.
Sightseeing
This area of the Niagara Escarpment is well-known for its rock formation that from a distance resembles the profile of a lion. Some 400 million years old, these Cabot Head, Amabel, and Guelph formations of bedrock are exposed in the cliff face. Glacial outwash and eroded potholes lie on top of the escarpment, while mounds of rock debris overgrown with vegetation, lie along the bottom. The cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, including those at Lion’s Head, support one of the most ancient and least disturbed forest ecosystems in North America. Of particular interest are the ancient white cedars found along the cliff’s edge. The park is also known for the presence of both nationally and provincially rare plant species.
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Lions Head Provincial Park
This area of the Niagara Escarpment is well-known for its rock formation that from a distance resembles the profile of a lion. Some 400 million years old, these Cabot Head, Amabel, and Guelph formations of bedrock are exposed in the cliff face. Glacial outwash and eroded potholes lie on top of the escarpment, while mounds of rock debris overgrown with vegetation, lie along the bottom. The cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, including those at Lion’s Head, support one of the most ancient and least disturbed forest ecosystems in North America. Of particular interest are the ancient white cedars found along the cliff’s edge. The park is also known for the presence of both nationally and provincially rare plant species.
A great spot for a swim!
Colpoys Bay is located on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. The Bay is named after Sir John Colpoy who was an Admiral in the British Navy during the early 1800s. With its limestone cliffs rising on either side of the bay, the Niagara Escarpment reveals itself.
The remarkably clear blue waters of Georgian Bay are among the clearest in the Great Lakes with visibility reaching up to 20 meters. There are three islands at the entrance to Colpoys Bay – Griffith Island, Hay Island and Whitecloud Island.
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Colpoy's Bay
A great spot for a swim!
Colpoys Bay is located on Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. The Bay is named after Sir John Colpoy who was an Admiral in the British Navy during the early 1800s. With its limestone cliffs rising on either side of the bay, the Niagara Escarpment reveals itself.
The remarkably clear blue waters of Georgian Bay are among the clearest in the Great Lakes with visibility reaching up to 20 meters. There are three islands at the entrance to Colpoys Bay – Griffith Island, Hay Island and Whitecloud Island.
Centred around a beaver swamp, the main attraction here is the beautiful white sandy Black Creek Beach and shallow warm waters that make it perfect for swimming.
Known as Sandy Beach by locals, it is situated about 10 minutes west of Lion's Head along Ferndale Road/County Road #9. The beach is one of the best on the entire Bruce Peninsula.
This a day use park that is classified as a natural environment park and thus is not monitored. There are limited facilities that include:
Parking for 30 cars
Toilets
change rooms
picnic tables
a dock
9.4 kilometres (5 miles) of hiking trails
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Black Creek Provincial Park
81 Old Womans River RdCentred around a beaver swamp, the main attraction here is the beautiful white sandy Black Creek Beach and shallow warm waters that make it perfect for swimming.
Known as Sandy Beach by locals, it is situated about 10 minutes west of Lion's Head along Ferndale Road/County Road #9. The beach is one of the best on the entire Bruce Peninsula.
This a day use park that is classified as a natural environment park and thus is not monitored. There are limited facilities that include:
Parking for 30 cars
Toilets
change rooms
picnic tables
a dock
9.4 kilometres (5 miles) of hiking trails
OUR favourite of course, it is just down the street!
Singing Sands has a small, natural (ungroomed) beach and picnic area. There is also a short boardwalk and trail that passes through rare fen and dune ecosystems, which are home to four species of carnivorous plants, orchids and rare plants found only in the Great Lakes region.
There is a parking fee to visit Singing Sands. Singing Sands is a popular location and the parking lot fills up on most summer days and on every long weekend. Swimming is unsupervised and at your own risk.
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Singing Sands
Dorcas Bay RoadOUR favourite of course, it is just down the street!
Singing Sands has a small, natural (ungroomed) beach and picnic area. There is also a short boardwalk and trail that passes through rare fen and dune ecosystems, which are home to four species of carnivorous plants, orchids and rare plants found only in the Great Lakes region.
There is a parking fee to visit Singing Sands. Singing Sands is a popular location and the parking lot fills up on most summer days and on every long weekend. Swimming is unsupervised and at your own risk.
Access through Emmet Lake Road from Highway 6.
Parking reservations are required to visit Half Way Log Dump Trail
Book your time slot ahead of time. There will be two time slots per day, 6 hours each.
7 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM 8 PM
For more information on parking and reserving your time slot, click on this link:
Bruce Peninsula National Park - Halfway Log Dump parking
Reservations can also be made by phone: 1-877-737-3783.
The hike from the parking lot to Half way Log Dump is 1 km,
If you wish to hike towards the Grotto from here it's 4.4 km west on the Bruce Trail to the Grotto, takes about 3 hours.
This part of the Bruce Trail is labelled "difficult".
It follows the coast line with steep, rocky terrain and cobble beaches.
Fantastic outlooks including Cave Point.
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Halfway Log Beach
Bruce TrailAccess through Emmet Lake Road from Highway 6.
Parking reservations are required to visit Half Way Log Dump Trail
Book your time slot ahead of time. There will be two time slots per day, 6 hours each.
7 AM - 1 PM and 2 PM 8 PM
For more information on parking and reserving your time slot, click on this link:
Bruce Peninsula National Park - Halfway Log Dump parking
Reservations can also be made by phone: 1-877-737-3783.
The hike from the parking lot to Half way Log Dump is 1 km,
If you wish to hike towards the Grotto from here it's 4.4 km west on the Bruce Trail to the Grotto, takes about 3 hours.
This part of the Bruce Trail is labelled "difficult".
It follows the coast line with steep, rocky terrain and cobble beaches.
Fantastic outlooks including Cave Point.
Beautiful beach, refreshing for a swim.
One of many protected areas along the Bruce Peninsula, Little Cove is distinguished by an exceptionally rugged Lake Huron shoreline. Natural features include barrens, scrub cliffs, palisade woodlands, and karst pavements. Karst pavements are limestone surfaces with potholes and twists caused by natural, acidic erosion. Little Cove contains part of the St. Edmunds Cove.
This park is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System, and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. It is located within the boundaries of the Bruce Peninsula National Park. There are overhangs, high rocky cliffs, sea caves, dolomite shores, and cobble beaches for visitors to explore, with the caution that much of the natural habitat is fragile.
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Little Cove Beach
Beautiful beach, refreshing for a swim.
One of many protected areas along the Bruce Peninsula, Little Cove is distinguished by an exceptionally rugged Lake Huron shoreline. Natural features include barrens, scrub cliffs, palisade woodlands, and karst pavements. Karst pavements are limestone surfaces with potholes and twists caused by natural, acidic erosion. Little Cove contains part of the St. Edmunds Cove.
This park is part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks System, and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. It is located within the boundaries of the Bruce Peninsula National Park. There are overhangs, high rocky cliffs, sea caves, dolomite shores, and cobble beaches for visitors to explore, with the caution that much of the natural habitat is fragile.
The crown jewel of the Bruce! World renown for the torquoise waters.
Book parking for the Grotto in advance. Other first-come, first served parking lots in the park fill early each morning. Once parking lots are full, there is no other access to the park. We do not recommend travelling to the park without a reservation.
Confirmed reservation required from June 3 to October 31, 2021
4-hour parking time slots
Access from Cyprus Lake Road
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The Grotto
The crown jewel of the Bruce! World renown for the torquoise waters.
Book parking for the Grotto in advance. Other first-come, first served parking lots in the park fill early each morning. Once parking lots are full, there is no other access to the park. We do not recommend travelling to the park without a reservation.
Confirmed reservation required from June 3 to October 31, 2021
4-hour parking time slots
Access from Cyprus Lake Road
What’s a flowerpot? Find out when you hike to the Devil’s Monument - the largest of the Bruce Peninsula’s flowerpot formations and one of the many spectacular places along the craggy shoreline known for incredible views. Park at the Bruce Trail lot near the end or Borchardt Road.
The walk to the Devil’s Monument is actually quite short, but the access trail is steep, rocky and slippery. The hiking is not too difficult, but it’s not a good place to take young children or dogs. Bring sturdy footwear, a walking stick and watch out for poison ivy – easy to avoid if you know what it looks like.
Take the trail and stairs down to the gorgeous rocky beach. You may want to bring a picnic, bathing suit and swim shoes if it’s a hot day and the clear water beckons. The shallow bay water warms up in summer. At just under an hour, the Minhinnick Side Trail will take you around and back to your car.
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Devil's Monument
What’s a flowerpot? Find out when you hike to the Devil’s Monument - the largest of the Bruce Peninsula’s flowerpot formations and one of the many spectacular places along the craggy shoreline known for incredible views. Park at the Bruce Trail lot near the end or Borchardt Road.
The walk to the Devil’s Monument is actually quite short, but the access trail is steep, rocky and slippery. The hiking is not too difficult, but it’s not a good place to take young children or dogs. Bring sturdy footwear, a walking stick and watch out for poison ivy – easy to avoid if you know what it looks like.
Take the trail and stairs down to the gorgeous rocky beach. You may want to bring a picnic, bathing suit and swim shoes if it’s a hot day and the clear water beckons. The shallow bay water warms up in summer. At just under an hour, the Minhinnick Side Trail will take you around and back to your car.
As featured in BlogTO.
The caves here date back roughly 7,000 years and were formed through varying rates of erosion between mineral-rich dolomitic limestone and the softer variety that gave way to waves from the post-glacial Lake Algonquin.
Greig’s Caves is Privately Owned & Operated which means no reservations are needed.
407 Scenic Caves Road, Lion’s Head,
Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
CLOSED UNTIL POSSIBLY 14 JUNE
IN SEASON ~ OPEN DAILY
9:00 a.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.
Last person in at 5:00 p.m.
– RAIN OR SHINE – CASH ONLY – NO DEBIT - FREE PARKING
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Greig's Caves
407 Scenic Caves RdAs featured in BlogTO.
The caves here date back roughly 7,000 years and were formed through varying rates of erosion between mineral-rich dolomitic limestone and the softer variety that gave way to waves from the post-glacial Lake Algonquin.
Greig’s Caves is Privately Owned & Operated which means no reservations are needed.
407 Scenic Caves Road, Lion’s Head,
Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, Canada
CLOSED UNTIL POSSIBLY 14 JUNE
IN SEASON ~ OPEN DAILY
9:00 a.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.
Last person in at 5:00 p.m.
– RAIN OR SHINE – CASH ONLY – NO DEBIT - FREE PARKING
A trip to Flowerpot Island is one of the best experiences in Fathom Five National Marine Park! The island is famous for its natural "flowerpot" rock pillars, caves, historic light station and rare plants. Most visitors take a tour boat from the town of Tobermory to spend a half or full day on the island hiking the trails, viewing the scenery, picnicking or swimming.
Flowerpot Island is 6.5km from Tobermory harbour and reached only by boat. Two private tour boat companies operate return trips from Tobermory to the island from mid May to mid October, weather permitting.
Check with them for schedules and rates:
www.blueheronco.com
www.bruceanchorcruises.com
Kayaking or canoeing to the island is recommended for experienced paddlers only.
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Merl Trail,flowerpot Island
A trip to Flowerpot Island is one of the best experiences in Fathom Five National Marine Park! The island is famous for its natural "flowerpot" rock pillars, caves, historic light station and rare plants. Most visitors take a tour boat from the town of Tobermory to spend a half or full day on the island hiking the trails, viewing the scenery, picnicking or swimming.
Flowerpot Island is 6.5km from Tobermory harbour and reached only by boat. Two private tour boat companies operate return trips from Tobermory to the island from mid May to mid October, weather permitting.
Check with them for schedules and rates:
www.blueheronco.com
www.bruceanchorcruises.com
Kayaking or canoeing to the island is recommended for experienced paddlers only.
Watersport rentals!
Big Tub Harbour Resort is the perfect place to launch your waterfront adventure. Whether you choose to spend the day on the water or take a short one-hour paddle over the historic shipwrecks, Big Tub is the place to begin.
The watersport rentals are available at 9am daily. All rentals must be off of the water by 5pm. In the case of inclement weather, safety first, and rentals will be cancelled for the day. They provide life jackets, as well as a safety kit containing a bailing bucket, rope, flashlight and a whistle.
They rent our equipment by the hour Prices range from $20-25/hour, depending on what you rent. All rentals are confined to the limits of Big Tub Harbour.
They have many options to choose from:
One-man kayak
Two-man kayak
Clear kayak
Stand Up Paddle board
Elliptical water board
Water bikes
Canoes
All of their rentals are first come, first served as they do not take reservations for them.
If you have any other questions, please give the Motel team a call at 519-596-2219
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Big Tub Harbour Resort
236 Big Tub RdWatersport rentals!
Big Tub Harbour Resort is the perfect place to launch your waterfront adventure. Whether you choose to spend the day on the water or take a short one-hour paddle over the historic shipwrecks, Big Tub is the place to begin.
The watersport rentals are available at 9am daily. All rentals must be off of the water by 5pm. In the case of inclement weather, safety first, and rentals will be cancelled for the day. They provide life jackets, as well as a safety kit containing a bailing bucket, rope, flashlight and a whistle.
They rent our equipment by the hour Prices range from $20-25/hour, depending on what you rent. All rentals are confined to the limits of Big Tub Harbour.
They have many options to choose from:
One-man kayak
Two-man kayak
Clear kayak
Stand Up Paddle board
Elliptical water board
Water bikes
Canoes
All of their rentals are first come, first served as they do not take reservations for them.
If you have any other questions, please give the Motel team a call at 519-596-2219
Be sure to stop here to get trail maps and ask questions to the local guides.
The Visitor Centre is open 9:00 am to 7:00 pm with a maximum of 12 visitors inside at any one time
The Gallery, Theatre and Viewing Tower will remain closed.
Day use trails
A 3-km section of the Burnt Point Loop trail runs to the shoreline observation deck, then returns inland. The balance of the trail remains closed due to high water levels.
Washrooms are open with enhanced cleaning
Visitor Centre Lookout Tower
Be sure to stop here to get trail maps and ask questions to the local guides.
The Visitor Centre is open 9:00 am to 7:00 pm with a maximum of 12 visitors inside at any one time
The Gallery, Theatre and Viewing Tower will remain closed.
Day use trails
A 3-km section of the Burnt Point Loop trail runs to the shoreline observation deck, then returns inland. The balance of the trail remains closed due to high water levels.
Washrooms are open with enhanced cleaning
Food scene
Dudebro Potato Co.
Great spot for fries, poutines, and hot dogs!
TACOMORY
7379 ON-6Amazing Taco Food Truck
Just down the street! Enjoy a coffee while strolling the beach.
Tobermory Coffee Shop is located right at Singing Sands Park. Walk or drive.
They are usually open June 15 to September 15, depending on the current COVID limitations.
Tobermory Coffee Company
23 Carlton StreetJust down the street! Enjoy a coffee while strolling the beach.
Tobermory Coffee Shop is located right at Singing Sands Park. Walk or drive.
They are usually open June 15 to September 15, depending on the current COVID limitations.
The closest grocery (10 minutes into town)
There is paid parking out front or free parking in the gravel parking lot in the back
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Foodland - Tobermory
7357 Bay StThe closest grocery (10 minutes into town)
There is paid parking out front or free parking in the gravel parking lot in the back
Another option for groceries if you are in this direction for the day
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Foodland - Lions Head
4 Webster StAnother option for groceries if you are in this direction for the day
Great spot to enjoy a meal, beverage and the sights of tobermory marina
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Tobermory Brewing Company & Grill
28 Bay StGreat spot to enjoy a meal, beverage and the sights of tobermory marina
Great spot to watching the ferry go in and out while dining on pubfare
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Shipwreck Lee's
2 Bay StGreat spot to watching the ferry go in and out while dining on pubfare
Råd om byen
Dette bør du pakke
Laundromat in tobermory
If you need to do some laundry, there is a laundromat in town. It’s located in the same building as Foodland (to the right when you are facing the storefront)
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Bug spray
Depending on the time of year, you are likely to encounter bugs. The cottage itself is sprayed for bugs to prevent entry. Screens are in all doors and windows.
Bestill før du reiser
Book your parking or national/provincial park passes
With COVID, many places are capping the amount of visitors. Book early! Look up whether they require booking ahead, or first come first serve
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Bottled Water
We recommend packing or buying your own water.
There is a water cooler available and Rona (15 minutes south) sells them, as well as Foodland in town (10 minutes north)
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Fill up with gas before you arrive
There is only one gas station with varying hours in Tobermory. We recommend you fill up on your way up (Lions Head, Wiarton, etc) so that you have a full tank to work with.
Bestill før du reiser
The front door lock access
Please refer to the check-in instructions on how to use the doorlock.
Please remember to leave the keys before checking out!
Måter å spare på
Free parking vs paid parking
There is free parking along some of the streets in town (around the ferry dock entrance).
There is a free parking lot at 39 Legion St.
Be sure to check for the 'Pay and display' signs to be sure.