The History of Rawley Resort

Rawley Resort has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century when it was known as Christie’s Lumber Mill. Operating as a local hub during this era, the mill specialized in creating white pine lumber from the vast forests alongside the riverside.

In 1922, Edgar Otto Rawson, a civil engineer, and his wife Mabel, along with Mabel’s brother James Gawley, transformed the property into a three-story fishing lodge. This lodge served as the foundation for what would eventually become Rawley Resort, Spa, and Marina.

Over the years, Rawley Resort has undergone significant transformations, evolving into an exquisite destination that offers luxury accommodations, a spa, and a marina for guests to enjoy. Today, Rawley Resort continues to honour its history while providing modern amenities and exceptional hospitality to visitors from near and far. The current owner also recently bought the neighbouring property to expand its offerings to the public.

Accommodations

Rawley Resort offers a range of accommodations that cater to every guest’s needs. From cozy guestrooms to spacious suites, each room is beautifully appointed with modern amenities and elegant decor. The resort’s commitment to excellence is evident in every detail, ensuring that your stay is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Wake up to stunning views of the water, unwind in a private balcony or patio, and sink into sumptuous bedding for a restful night’s sleep.

We stayed in their Executive Waterside Loft which is a 2-storey accommodation that has a kitchen and living room on the ground floor and a bathroom and bedroom on the 2nd floor. The ground floor opens onto a backyard area and the upstairs bedroom opens onto a balcony that overlooks the backyard and the waterfront. The space was very comfortable and was a stone’s throw away from the pool, spa and restaurant.

Exciting Activities and Experiences

The region around Rawley Resort offers a variety of activities and experiences to enhance your stay. If you are boating in the area, take advantage of the resort’s marina facilities by docking your boat and using their pool, spa and restaurant facilities. For golf enthusiasts, there are several world-class golf courses in the area. In the summer months, be sure to visit the nearby Port Severn Park and their beautiful beach. On the main strip of Port Severn be sure to visit The Cabin, a cute local shop that sells kitchy cottage merchandise as well as café food and drinks.

On the Rawley Resort property, there are several things to check out.

A visit to Rawley Resort is incomplete without indulging in the spa and wellness offerings. The resort’s spa is a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation, designed to pamper your mind, body, and spirit.

The Lighthouse 45 Restaurant at Rawley Resort offers an exquisite dining experience. In April of 2023, Chef Chris Locke, who was the executive chef at Marben restaurant in Toronto for 13 years, came to help Rawley Resort to completely revamp their menu to the farm to table approach. His menu remains under the management of Executive Chef Scott who we got to meet during our stay. The restaurant also hosts live music nights so be sure to check their schedule if you are interested in that.

For a more casual option, the Lakeside Terrace is perfect for a weekend lunch, offering the relaxing sound of the lake as the backdrop.

The lighthouse tower in the main building offers views of the resort and the waterfront as well as housing their gift shop and games room. This space is often used for children to play while parents take in the views, enjoy a drink or get some work done in the common rooms.

Looking for something sweet? On the new property, there is a floating ice cream shop called The Icebreaker that sells Kawartha Dairy products. We loved the Bordeaux Cherry flavour!

The new property is also home to a regional staple, The Grill. This waterfront restaurant lets you arrive by car or by boat and has a great patio that sits on the water. The fair is pub food such as burgers, wings, salads, chicken fingers and a variety of poutines.

Indulge in Spa Treatments and Wellness

The menu of spa treatments ranges from classic massages, facials, and body treatments to custom therapies that address your specific needs. One of the highlights is the Couples Massage which offers an intimate experience for two to unwind and relax side by side. For those who prefer solo treatments, the Signature Facial is a standout, using organic ingredients and customized to fit your skin’s unique needs.

The Spa also has a barrel sauna and hot tub that is available to all the guests of the resort. The barrel sauna has a domed window that allows you to take in the lakeside scenery while you sweat out your toxins. Steps away from the Hot Tub and Sauna is the pool where you can cool down or swim some laps.

Savour Delectable Dining Experiences

Lighthouse 45 is a sustainable restaurant with a no waste prerogative that prioritizes environmental responsibility and aims to minimize waste throughout its operations. The recently renovated restaurant embraces a holistic approach to sustainability by actively implementing strategies to reduce, reuse, and recycle. They focus on sourcing local and organic ingredients to support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. In addition, they prioritize using all parts of the ingredients, minimizing food waste. They implement practices such as composting, using food scraps for stock or sauces, or partnering with local organizations to donate excess food to reduce food waste. Lighthouse 45 even uses some of their scraps to make biofuel alongside a local company. By adopting these practices, the restaurant aims to create a positive impact on the environment while offering delicious and conscientious dining experiences for their customers.

The Executive Chef, Scott Coryell, took very good care of us explaining the sourcing of the ingredients, their commitment to sustainable dining and the preparation involved in the dishes they serve.

When we arrived at Rawley Resort, it was after noon and we were looking to grab something to eat. After browsing the lunch menu, we decided on the Cookstown Beet Salad ($14), which uses a dressing made with bacon fat left over from breakfast as well as sherry vinegar, mustard, honey and cold pressed sunflower oil. The beets are dressed in the vinaigrette and plated with ricotta, apple mostarda and beet soil. Next we had the Clearwater Farm Green Salad ($13/$23), which features Greens, radish, Pearl Red Onions, Beets, Mint and Blackberry Apple Vinegar, all of which are locally sourced. We ended our meal with the Cheese & Charcuterie platter ($32) which featured some Golden Blyth cheese, a Truffled Gouda, three salamis including Genoa, Spicy and Truffled as well as two types of Chutney, Beet and Swiss Chard.

For our dinner, we had a tasting menu so that we could try various items that they had to offer. They had some great oysters in just before we arrived that were not on the menu so we got to try those as well as the Tomatoes & Stracciatella salad ($18) and the Pan-Fried Arctic Char ($32), which came with Arctic Char from Fish First, grilled buk choy, herb chutney, green lentil daal and cilantro. Next up we had their Heritage Pork Chop ($42) which is pan-seared and is accompanied by anchovy, dandelion caper, and prosciutto jus. We also tried their Organic Spelt & Beet “Risotto” ($25) which came with delicious oyster mushrooms, cherry tomato and a herb sauce. For dessert we tried the Rhubarb and Custard ($12) and the White Pine Creme Caramel ($11).

For our breakfast the next day, we got to try The Lighthouse Breakfast ($32) which features Sausages, Smoked Bacon, Plum Tomatoes, Free-Run Eggs, Mushrooms, and a mushroom ketchup made by roasting mushrooms and cooking with onion, vinegar, sugar and spices and blended into a thick sauce. The Wholewheat Pancakes ($18) features Pinegrove Wholewheat flour from K2 Milling, Apples, Blackberry Apple Vinegar, Free Run Eggs, Whole Milk and Maple Syrup. We also got to try the Breakfast Sandwich ($22) which comes with a pork and bacon patty, aged cheddar, tomato, lettuce, mustard mayo, and over-easy egg, breakfast potatoes, clearwater greens and a brioche bun. Finally we tried the Millet and Oat Granola ($14) which comes with Red Millet, Rolled Oats, Maple Syrup, Dried Cherries, Yogurt, Creamed Honey and Berries from various Ontario farms.

An Easy Getaway

When the pace of city life becomes overwhelming, Rawley Resort provides the perfect escape. Just a short drive from Toronto, this waterfront oasis offers a haven of tranquility and luxury. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, indulge in spa treatments, savour delectable dining experiences with a menu by Chef Chris Locke at Lighthouse 45 and partake in exciting activities – your getaway to Rawley Resort promises to be an unforgettable retreat. Book your stay today and allow yourself to be captivated by the serenity and charm of this exceptional Ontario resort.

The post Retreat to Rawley Resort: Your Perfect Getaway from Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Highway 69 used to run through Nobel until the Highway 400 extension in 2010 cut it off, disrupting the town and most of the businesses located there. The town is named after Alfred Nobel the inventor of Dynamite! During both WW1 and WW2, dynamite was produced at factories in Nobel.

Canadian aircraft engine manufacturer and parts supplier Orenda Engines also had their testing facility in Nobel – the Orenda Iroquois turbojet engine used for the Avro Arrow was tested here. The closest exit to Nobel from the 400 is now named Avro Arrow Road.

To get to Nobel we accessed the Toyota Press Fleet and tested the Toyota Rav4 Trail Edition. We were renting a cottage in a wooded area with a few friends so wanted something that had space for passengers as well as cargo and something that was prepared for off-roading, if we needed it. We also had golf clubs and a dog to transport while there. The low rear loading height and rubberized luggage tray made it perfect for this.

Every time we visit this area, we see an abundance of wildlife. Each morning, along the beach, many animal tracks can be seen including deer, skunks, raccoons and black bears. During this trip we had two deer run across the lawn while we were fixing bikes and preparing the BB. Behind them came the neighbours dog who passed us with a smile on his face.

Just five minutes from the place we rented lies Parry Sound Golf Course. It features a full 18 holes as well as a driving range and a putting practice area. The course is right next to the waters of Georgian Bay and has some awesome aerial views. The Thomas McBroom course design was completed in 1982 and replaced the original 9-hole facility established in 1929. We spent a few hours on the driving range while one of our party members did 9 holes on a second day.

If golf is not your thing, then maybe some time on the water is more up your alley. The coast of Georgian Bay allows for tons of fun activities including boating, kayaking and canoeing. If you want to take a boat trip from this area, try visiting the “Hole in the Wall”, a small break in an island that was dredged to allow cruise ships to pass through two cliff faces. This is one of the most popular cliff jumping areas in Southern Georgian Bay with jump heights ranging from 2 metres to roughly 10 metres.

Killbear Provincial Park is also just a few minutes away from Nobel. The park features kilometres of rocky shoreline mixed with several sandy beaches. If you are into hiking or biking, there are 6 km of recreational trails. They also boast great conditions for both sailing and windsurfing.

Killbear is also a great place to camp if you want to break out the tent before cooking some food over the fire. Many options for guests are available including group camping and sheltered cabins.

Parry Sound is very close to Nobel so if you want to visit that area, you can check out our previous post from a trip we took there.

The post Road trip to Nobel for a little bit of history and Georgian Bay appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Latest Video: Canyon

Bio

Courage is a two-volume album which fuses elements of electronic, jazz and chamber music to Georgian Bay’s folk roots. The first volume, “Soleil” is a celebration of light and hope amidst the shadows of these uncertain times. The harmonized voices of Joëlle Westman and Kelly Lefaive remain the trademark sound of this Toronto-based bilingual duo who have actively toured since the release of their 2016 Polaris Prize nominated sophomore album, Patience.

Latest Single:

Canyon

Favourite Restaurant:

Banjara

Favourite band as a teenager:

Radiohead

Favourite band now:

Bernice

Guilty Pleasure Song:

Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes

Live Show Ritual:

Washroom vocal warmups

Favourite local artist:

Michelle Willis

Sneaky Dees nachos, pasta from Terroni or a superfood salad from Fresh?

pasta from Terroni

Queen or College St?

Bloor!

Trinity Bellwoods or Highpark, Riverdale or Kew Gardens?

High Park and Riverdale

EP or LP?

EP

Early bird or night owl?

Early Bird

Road or studio?

Road

Swiss Chalet or Roti?

Roti

The post “Five Minutes With” Toronto Bilingual Folk Band Georgian Bay appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

For our latest Neighbours in Ontario series we took a 4-day camping trip around Georgian Bay. This trip is for beginner campers and families.

This is the 4th part of the trip. Read the 1st part of the Georgian Bay camping trip here. Read the 2nd part of the Georgian Bay camping trip here. Read the 3rd part of the Georgian Bay camping trip here.

LEAVING CAMP

On our last day, we had a lot of time. Our plan was to visit Killarney Provincial Park and then head home along highway 69 to Parry Sound and then back to the 400 South.  We were a bit deceived though, the entrance to Killarney P.P. is a long way into the park that is outlined on maps and navigation systems. Be sure to give yourself enough time to enter, and explore, this massive park.

You will need about an hour and a half to get into Killarney Provincial Park from Grundy Lake, a few hours to explore, if not a full day or two, an hour and a half to get back to Grundy Lake and then 3.5 hours back to Toronto. About a 12 hour day in total. We left Grundy Lake after Killarney around 6pm so that traffic was already finished when we got back in the city.

DESTINATIONS

On this day we explored a bit of Killarney Provincial Park as well as some of the islands and waterways that line the Eastern side of Georgian Bay from French River Provincial Park to Parry Sound.

KILLARNEY PROVINCIAL PARK

Killarney has a great camp site as well as great trails, beaches and canoe/kayak/paddle routes. This entire region is made up of small rocky islands that create pathways through the larger body of water. If you are a paddler, this is your dream destination.

The park is 485 km² so good luck on exploring it all. Learn more about the park from their website. The park is also home to some wildlife. Be careful!

Killarney Provincial Park website.

After a swim, we got back in our car and headed in the direction of home.

STARGAZING

The eastern side of Georgian Bay experiences some of the best sunsets and best viewpoints to stargaze. While visiting this area, I captured a few.

BOBBY ORR HALL OF FAME

While here, you might as well visit the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound.

The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is located inside The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts which was opened in 2003. The Hall of Fame portion includes an interactive hockey museum which includes photos, memorabilia and artifacts about Bobby Orr, who was born in Parry Sound. Take a look at Orr’s NHL rings, a number of his trophies and awards, some of the jerseys he played in and a pictorial history of his career.

After grabbing a bit to eat in Parry Sound, we headed back to Toronto and concluded our trip.

The post Georgian Bay Camping 4-Day Trip – Day Four appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

For our latest Neighbours in Ontario series we took a 4-day camping trip around Georgian Bay. This trip is for beginner campers and families.

This is the 3rd part of the trip. Read the 1st part of the Georgian Bay camping trip here. Read the 2nd part of the Georgian Bay camping trip here.

Leaving Camp

We left Sauble Falls Provincial Park early as this would be our longest driving day. If you stay at Bruce Peninsula National park, you will have less of a drive.

To see photos in high resolution, visit our page on 500px.

DESTINATIONS

On this day we left Sauble Falls Provincial Park campgrounds and headed for Bruce Peninsula National Park, visited neighbouring town Tobermory, caught the ferry in Tobermory to Manitoulin Island, drove North across Manitoulin Island, drove around Killarney Provincial Park past Sudbury before arriving at our favourite composite, Grundy Lake.

In total we put 1500km on the Acura ILX and hiked 50km during the 4-Day trip. This day was the largest portion of the drive as our 4th day was from Grundy Lake to Toronto which is only about 3.5 hours.

BRUCE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK

Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada is one of less than 50 National Parks in Canada. It is on an area known as a biosphere reserve. The UNESCO Network of Biosphere Reserves are internationally recognized protected areas that demonstrate a balance between people and nature. There are around 600 of these sites worldwide. The park is situated on Georgian Bay with its rocky landscape jutting out over the crystal clear water.

One of the best sites to see is the grotto. With rocky shards and teal colouring, the coast here looks like another world. If you are adventurous, you can climb down into the caves that line the coast.

The park is also home to 1000 year old cedar trees, an incredible array of habitats, and beautiful landscapes.

After seeing the sights, we headed back to the car and headed to Tobermory to catch the ferry over to Manitoulin Island.

TOBERMORY

Tobermory is located on the northern point of the Bruce Peninsula. A cute town and a hub for ferries and cruises.

We stopped by the marina and inlet where one can find a bunch of good restaurants to eat at with a view of the harbour. Cruises can also be picked up here.

Try some of the fish n chips spots here before heading down the road to catch the ferry to Manitoulin Island.

To see photos in high resolution, visit our page on 500px.

The area is also the location of Flowerpot Island which boasts naturally occurring large rock sculptures.

The ferry at Tobermory costs about $35 a person in a vehicle. The boat is so big that big rigs and other transport vehicles take it back and forth from Manitoulin Island. The ride is about 1 hour and 45 minutes and has some amazing views along the way. Be sure to plan your times well as the ferry does not come that often and the drive to the next destination is the longest of the trip.

Be sure to have your camera ready to catch the lighthouse and the many islands you pass on the way. Also watch the seagulls as they coast alongside the ferry for the duration of the trip.

MANITOULIN ISLAND

Manitoulin Island is the largest fresh water island in the world. It is 2,766 km2 and inhabits almost 13,000 people. The drive north across the inland provides many rest stops that double as lookouts where spectacular views can be seen of the islands and waters below the high elevation of the island.

The landscape here also changes. Highways pass through giant rocks that have been blasted through to form roads. The colours of rock can change from white to an almost red colour. Be sure to have a passenger that can snap photos as you go.

GRUNDY PROVINCIAL PARK

Grundy was our favourite place that we stayed. The park, the grounds and the campsite all provided a little something to the experience.

We arrived a little late at the park but instantly found its beauty. Trails that lead to beaches and paddle launch sites, space between campsites, and good facilities all contributed to the positive experience.

After setting up camp, we took our cameras and headed to the beach through a cleaning in the trees at our camp site.

The stars here were incredible. With some long exposures we were able to see some amazing constellations and galaxies far away.

Here are a few of those shots.

To see photos in high resolution, visit our page on 500px.

That concludes the end of Day 3 of our Georgian Bay camping trip. Stay tuned for our final part.

See Part One of our Georgian Bay Camp Trip.

See Part Two of our Georgian Bay Camp Trip.

Go to Part 4 of the trip here.

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