collingwood ontario
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Collingwood, ON Lat: 44° 30.724 Long: 080° 13.596 |
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DESCRIPTION Named after Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, Lord Nelson's very able second-in-command and a respected Admiral in his own right, Collingwood Ontario was first settled by Europeans in the early 1840's. Prior to that time, it was part of the Wendat or Huron people's territory until they were driven out of their lands in the early 1600's by the Iroquois. As the railroad pushed north, Collingwood's location as a protected harbour made it a natural terminus. The community became an important transhipment point for goods heading north and west on the Lakes and for grain heading east from the prairies. As the harbour grew, so did a shipbuilding industry which remained a key industry for a century. With the demise of the shipbuilding industry, Collingwood diversified its manufacturing base and focused as well on tourism. It is now a major year-round tourist destination. As such, there are lots of things to see and do in town and in the immediate area. |
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APPROACHES Entry to Collingwood harbour requires care and very careful navigation. A quick glance at the chart will show that the waters surrounding Collingwood are full of hazards. Stay well offshore as you approach Collingwood - 6 nm would not be too much. This is especially important if you are coming from the west. The dangerous and notorious Mary Ward Ledges, a 6 mi/10 km reef lie about 4.5 nm west of Collingwood. They are well-marked and well-charted so avoiding them is fairly straightforward. The waters are well marked and there is a well-marked channel into the harbour. Make for the Fl RED buoy "TN12" located at Lat 44° 31.74N and Long 081° 13.68W. This buoy marks the beginning of the entry channel into the harbour. There is a RWG sector light and, from "TN12", a course of 180°T will bring you right down the channel. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Cranberry Marina (705) 444-1251 VHF 68 When you enter the harbour, Cranberry Marina will be on the southwest side, on your starboard as you approach the RED marker buoy "TN22". The marina has about 2 dozen slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. There is water and power available at each slip. This is a full-service marina where repairs and maintenance can be carried out on engines, mechanical and electrical systems and fiberglass damage repaired. Amenities include a swimming pool and picnic areas. The marina is part of a new condo complex so the grounds are quite nice. There is also a ship's store. Collingwood Yacht Club (1705) 444-3664 CYC is located on your port side as you come into the harbour. There may be space for a boat in an emergency but CYC is not set up to accomodate transient sailors. There are no services at the club available for transient sailors either. Government Wharf Located south of the Collingwood Yacht Club, the Government Wharf may have space to tie up along the wall amid the local working vessels. There are no services available. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Cranberry Marina is a full-service marina (see above). There are three large supermarkets in Collingwood. Metro is the closest to the marina. Most major banks have a presence in Collingwood with both teller and ATM service. They are all located in the downtown area. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is likely the closest. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES General and Marine Hospital (705) 445-2250 is a full-service hospital serving the region. It is located about 2.5 mi/4 km from the marina. IDA Pharmacy (705) 445-4711 is located about 1.5 mi/3 km from the marina. |
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PLACES TO EAT As a major tourist area, Collingwood Ontario has some great restaurants to try. Most are clustered in the downtown area, about 1 mi/1.6 km from the marina. Brunello's is an excellent Italian restaurant. This award-winning establishment has an outstanding menu and extensive wine list. Azzurra is another outstanding restaurant, highly regarded for over 10 years by locals and visitors alike. Also consider Tesoro, another fine restaurant with an terrific menu selection. Huron Club, beside Azzurra, has a more casual atmosphere. If you are there on a Sunday, opt for the prime rib Sunday dinner - it is terrific! For fans of Asian food, the Siamese Gecko will surely please you. Their Thai chefs ensure that everything coming from their kitchen is completely authentic. And, there are a number of casual pubs to check out.Northwinds Brewhouse makes some great beers and their flights are an easy way to sample them. Their menu is eclectic and good. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT Across the harbour is the Collingwood Museum with its distinctly maritime theme. Shipbuilders Park is a memorial to the men and women who worked in the shipyards. They built many of the the huge lakers that plied the Great Lakes and corvettes for the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII. The last ship built was for the Canadian Coast Guard. The end of July sees the Collingwood Elvis Festival. All around town, its 'all things Elvis'. Its amazing how many people have a resemblance to the 'King of Rock and Roll' (or at least think they do!). If you are able to get transportation, 6 mi/10 km west of Collingwood is Scenic Caves Nature Adventures with caves you can explore, Ontario's longest suspension bridge, fabulous view of Georgian Bay and a .5 mile long zip line! There is also the Collingwood Ontario site or this regional tourism site that will give you many ideas on getting the most of your visit. Return to Georgian Bay Return to Home Page |
