Wiarton Ontario

Wiarton Willie Festival

By far the number one attraction in town it has been celebrated for over 55 years with the shy, albino weather forecaster entertaining an international media event that now attracts thousands of people annually.

What began as a lark is now an event that almost every Canadian has heard of. Now an event that can last up to 10 days featuring:

• entertainers
• rides
• amusements
• games
• crafts
• other special activities and events

It all culminates on the day Willie comes out of his hole to make his prediction.

For more information visit: Wiarton Willie Festival

For those that can’t make the pilgrimage during the event Willie is on display downtown everyday across from his statue in Bluewater Park. Turn around and you’ll see his cage. Drop by for a visit and see if he comes out. If he stays inside there’s glass viewing portals where you can sometimes catch a glimpse of him.

Bluewater Park

Just east of historic Berford Street sits this jewel of the town. With beautiful views of Spirit Rock Conservation Area across the bay the park also features:

• Victorian Train Station (tourist office)
• Small sandy beach
• Picnic tables
• Wiarton Willie statue
• Marina
• Hiking trails that connect to the Bruce Tail
• Wiarton Willie himself (across the street in his home)

Hiking

Surrounded by the Niagara Escarpment on 3 sides Wiarton Ontario is a hikers nirvana. You can park your can in Bluewater Park and hike in either direction along the Bruce Trail.

• Head north towards Spirit Rock Conservation Area
• Head northeast to the Bruce Caves

This is some of the prettiest terrain in all the Bruce Trail.

Spirit Rock Conservation Area

Located 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles) north of town this is an area steeped in native history. It is also the site of the “Corran”, the former Alexander McNeill Estate, a 17-room late 18th century mansion that now lies in ruins.

Totaling 87 hectares (215 acres), the site is perfectly perched high atop the Escarpment and offers spectacular views over Coploy’s Bay. Easily reached from the Bruce Trail by way of a spiral staircase that leads down to the water visitors will definitely enjoy the scenery along the way.

For those that arrive at the conservation area by vehicle, from the parking lot there is an easy 2 kilometre (1.2 mile) hike that loops past the escarpment cliffs back to the lot.

Please note that minimal facilities are on site.

Bruce Caves Conservation Area

Formed by wave action up to 8,000 years ago this unique cave system is a highlight of many trips to the Bruce Peninsula.

Located 6.7 kilometres (4 miles) northeast of town this tiny 7-hectare (15 acre) area protects a unique ecosystem of wooded swamps, hardwood forest and of course: caves.

A path leads visitors through the cave area and while quite nice the caves are not as big as some I’ve been through. The hike is fairly easy and the trail does connect to the Bruce Trail so hikers can reach here directly from town.

One of the area’s main attractions if you haven’t seen a cave system before you may be amazed but they really are worth visiting only if you have some extra time to spend in the area.

Please note that minimal facilities are on site.

Sauble Falls Provincial Park

Only 15 minutes away is this beautiful little park named for the historic waterfalls that is its centrepiece. One of the province’s fishing hotspots it is a destination in its own right. Check out my Sauble Falls Provincial Park page to find out more.

Sauble Beach

Only a 20-minute drive away this is one of the best beaches in the province. Famed as a summer destination for most Southern Ontarians visit my Sauble Beach page for more information.

Boating

Wiarton Ontario has one of the best ports on the Georgian Bay side of the Bruce Peninsula and has a full service Marina available to boaters of all types.

Coploy’s Bay itself provides for some excellent boating as it is a rather large body of water protected by from the forces of the much larger Georgian Bay by three islands sitting in its mouth:

• White Cloud Island
• Griffith Island
• Hay Island

Many visitors use the port as a base for traveling further north up the Bruce to places like Fathom Five National Park or across the Bay to Georgian Islands National Park.

Fishing

As with most ports on the waters of Georgian Bay the deepwater fishing is excellent. In fact, the waters of Colpoy’s Bay are considered amongst the best the Bruce has to offer. Species to be caught include:

• Trout
• Salmon
• Walleye
• Pike
• Bass

The crystal clear waters of Coploy’s are fairly deep and access to a boat is preferred.

Canoeing

Coploy’s Bay is also sheltered enough to provide for some excellent canoeing and sea kayaking.

Wiarton Ontario is also minutes away from accessing the mid way point of the Rankin River canoe route. For those that wish to enter at the beginning at Sky Lake the access point is only 15 minutes north by car.

The Rankin route is by far the best inland route on the peninsula, 18 kilometres (11 miles) in length to its end at Sauble Falls it is a challenging route but not as hazardous as head into out onto Georgian Bay.

Cycling

If you are looking to cycle on the Bruce Peninsula than Wiarton is the place for you. All of the peninsula’s cycling routes radiate from town and you have a different route choice daily.

Recreational destinations such as Sauble Beach, Oliphant Beach, Lion’s Head and Black Creek Provincial Park can all easily be reached in a day and for the more ambitious: Cabot Head, Tobermory and Bruce Peninsula National Park are all within reach.

Lighthouse Tour

The town also makes for a good place to head out on one of a number of nearby lighthouse routes.

Head north out of town and you immediately have a choice of taking the Lion’s Head to Cape Croker tour.

If you continue heading north you can take the Cabot Head to Tobermory tour.

Winter Activities

Snowmobiling

It seems almost everyone in the part of the province owns a snowmobile and the town sits along the main north south recreational snowmobile trail linking the Bruce with other parts of the province.

The town actually comes to life in winter as it does become one of the key hubs of this trail and a destination of sorts.

Snowshoeing and Cross country skiing

There are some good trails both groomed and un groomed in the area and great winter views are to be had for those that can traverse the Bruce Trail around Coploy’s Bay in the winter.

Dog Sledding

Wiarton is also home to one of the few dog sledding companies in this part of the province offering the public access to this exhilarating winter activity.