Kawarthas
The Kawarthas or Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario, Canada, is located one to two hours by car (depending where in the region you are travelling) northeast of Toronto, and is considered part of Central Ontario. This is one of Ontario's prime cottage and vacation areas, encompassing the County of Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes (formerly Victoria County) and is encircled by Durham region and Haliburton, Northumberland and Prince Edward Counties.
The Kawarthas is a region that, as the name suggests, includes many lakes -- in fact hundreds of lakes and rivers, and offers some of Ontario's best sport and recreational fishing. The region attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, mostly during the Spring to Autumn months, who come to cottages and resorts in the area, or to some of the many hotels, motels, inns and excellent campgrounds. There is year round activity, though, including fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, golf, festivals, museums, cultural and historic attractions, shopping and more.
Cities and communities
This region is covered by these articles:
- Peterborough - the region's major business, education, cultural, and health care centre
- Buckhorn, Lakefield and Stoney Lake - cottage country and lakeside resorts on the Highway 28 corridor in the east
- and in the City of Kawartha Lakes:
- Lindsay and Fenelon Falls - the former Town of Lindsay, the former Village of Fenelon Falls, the Highway 35 corridor and Kirkfield
- Bobcaygeon - the former Village of Bobcaygeon - which caters to sports fishers
Other destinations
Understand
Get in
The city of Peterborough is reachable by Greyhound intercity bus services from Toronto (8 times a day) and Ottawa (approx. twice a day). Otherwise, the car is your best, or only, bet to visiting the Kawarthas.
Can-ar Coach travels once a day from Toronto's Union Station to the Town of Haliburton stopping at Lindsay and Fenelon Falls.
Get around
Highway 28 forms a central spine through the Kawarthas and attractions such as Petroglyphs Provincial Park and Stoney Lake are easily accessible from the highway.
Outside of Peterborough and Lindsay, there is little in the way of public transportation - a car is close to being a necessity.
- Peterborough Transit operates 12 regular routes seven days a week and express routes September to April to Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College.
- Lindsay Transit operates three routes M-Sa 7AM-7PM in the former Town of Lindsay.
Houseboating
Renting a houseboat is a popular way of seeing the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha lakes. The season typically runs from mid-May to mid-October (when you may get to see the beginnings of the autumn colours). You do not need a boating licence, and you will be given a brief training session when you arrive to pick up your boat. The houseboats are 32 ft (9.8 m) to 52 ft (16 m) long, and sleep 4-12 people, although you will be packed in if you plan on maximum occupancy. They are available at different price/comfort levels. Be sure that the company you rent from provides nautical charts and/or GPS, or plan to bring your own. Book in advance for the busiest summer weeks.
- 🌍 Happy Days Houseboats, 5 Colony Road, Bobcaygeon, ☎ + 1 705 738-2201, e-mail: info@happydayshouseboats.com. Wide range of boats available. 24-hour telephone service line for emergencies. Provides charts and GPS. For a four-day mid-week rental, prices range from $1000 in the shoulder season to $2000 in July-Aug for the smallest boat, and from $2700 in the shoulder season to $4100 in July-Aug for a larger luxury vessel. 3-day weekend rentals are slightly more expensive. 7-day rentals are also available. Fuel, lock/mooring fees, insurance, and 13% sales tax are extra.
- 🌍 R&R Houseboat Rentals, 1601 Mill Line Rd., Bobcaygeon, ☎ +1 705 738-4800, toll-free: +1-888-784-2628, e-mail: info@rrhouseboats.com. Older houseboats, less service. Charts and GPS not provided. For a four-day mid-week or 3-day weekend rental, prices range from $600 in the shoulder season to $1200 in July-mid-Sept for the smallest boat, and from $1200 in the shoulder season to $1600 in July-Aug for a larger vessel. 7-day rentals are also available. Fuel, lock/mooring fees, and 13% sales tax are extra. Insurance covers damage over $2500, or for $25/day you can get insurance to cover damage over $1000.
- 🌍 Egan Houseboats, 23 Russell Dr, Omemee, ☎ +1 705 799-5745, toll-free: +1-800-720-3426, e-mail: egan@houseboat.on.ca. 32-foot boat that sleeps 6, or 40-foot boat that sleeps 8. For a four-day mid-week rental, prices range from $379 in the shoulder season to $1019 in July-Aug for the smallest boat, and from $479 in the shoulder season to $1279 in July-Aug for the larger vessel. 3-day weekend rentals are slightly more expensive. 7-day rentals are also available. Fuel, lock/mooring fees, insurance ($29/day), and 13% sales tax are extra.
See
- Visit the Liftlocks in Peterborough.
- See the petroglyphs at Petroglyphs Provincial Park near Stoney Lake
- Stoney Lake is beautiful in summertime.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
If you're thirsty for a pint or wanting to dance a bit, there are several pubs and bars in Peterborough.
Sleep
Stay safe
Blue-green algae is a toxic form of algae that can be an occasional problem in this region. Do not swim or wade in water where this algae is present, do not drink the water, and do not let pets in the water. Blooms most commonly occur in late summer and early fall. They thrive in areas where the water is shallow, slow moving and warm, but they may be present in deeper, cooler water. Dense blue-green algae blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint. Very dense blooms may form solid-looking clumps. Fresh blooms often smell like newly mown grass, while older blooms may smell like rotting garbage.
Poison ivy is common in wooded areas. All parts of poison ivy, including the roots, contain a poisonous substance which causes an irritating inflammation of the skin of most people, the inflamed areas frequently developing blisters and accompanied by intense itchiness.