History of the area surrounding Delawana Inn Resort, Honey Harbour, Georgian Bay

Family Packages and Rates

Resort Accommodation

Delawana Water Sports

Victoria Day Weekend Package

Family Information

Family Social Itinerary

Ontario Fishing Information

Georgian Bay -- "Only Delawana Inn can offer so much at one destination" -- The Delawana Inn is located in one of Ontario’s most historic areas.
The history of the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort >>

Discover the many local attractions surrounding the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort, including the Martyrs' Shrine, visited by Pope John Paul II. The picturesque scenery of the southeast shore of Georgian Bay has also been captured on canvas by many of the Group of Seven artists. Today this location is a favored by budding painters and photographers. Georgian Bay is the sixth Great Lake known for its warm waters and sandy beaches. The Resort is located close to Midland, Penetanguishene, Honey Harbour and the adjacent Georgian Bay Islands, which were the stopping points for the Jesuits and fur traders on the way to St. Marie Among The Hurons during the 1600's.

Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Just off the shores from Honey Harbour, Beausoleil Island is the largest of a cluster of 59 islands that make up the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. We have a boat that can take you over to Beausoleil Island at 11:00 AM and pick you up at 3:00 PM daily where you can discover for yourself the beautiful hiking and biking trails.

Visit Georgian Bay Islands National Park's web site

Samuel De Champlain's Time In Huronia (1615 - 1616)

Champlain arrived in Huronia in the summer of 1615 and explored the Georgian Bay coast line. He docked his canoes and set up camp on what is today's Royal Island immediately across from the Delawana Inn.He might be considered Honey Harbour's first tourist. For more on Champlain's visits click here.

Midland Ontario

Approximately 30 minutes south west of Honey Harbour and the Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort, sits one of Canada's oldest and most significant historical and religious communities. One of the earliest communities dating back to the early 1600's where native and Europeans lived in harmony.

Today, the Midland Ontario area is a destination on Georgian Bay for the many boaters who cruise through the Trent-Severn waterways, and the many American Visitors exploring the Great Lakes by boat. Midland has become a significant Canadian resort destination attracting visitors form around the world. Click here, for more information on Midland Ontario.

Martyrs’ Shrine

This church was built in 1926 and stands as a testimony to the faith of the Jesuit missionaries who labored among the Huron Indians (1625-1650). As one of the four national shrines in Canada, Martyrs’ Shrine Church offers Masses at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

Visit Martyrs Shrine's web site

Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons

Across from Martyrs’ Shrine, the Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was established in 1639 as the headquarters of the French Jesuit mission to the Hurons and was the first European community in Ontario. The site has a museum with descriptions of the area.

Visit Saint-Marie Among the Hurons' web site

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

Next to the Sainte-Marie, the Wye Marsh is one of Canada’s most foremost environmental attractions and gives visitors of all ages the chance to be touched by nature. Inside, you will be introduced to a variety of wildlife and wetland stories. Outside, self-guided trails lead you to an observation tower and floating boardwalk where you can see up close: countless wonders of forest, streams and marsh and in particular the magnificent Trumpeter swans which Wye Marsh has reintroduced.

Visit Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre's web site

Discovery Harbour

Build by the British after the war of 1812, Discovery Harbour is a 19th Century naval and military outpost where three full sized naval vessels take you on a cruise through the lake into the evening.

Visit Discovery Harbour's web site

Huronia Museum

Huronia Museum and The Huron/Ouendat Village represent what Huron life on Georgian Bay was like between AD 1500 - 1600, just prior to the arrival of the Europeans in Canada.

Big Chute Marine Railway

This engineering marvel literally transports boats in a giant carriage up and over a 19 meter height of land between Gloucester Pool and the Upper Severn River. The marine railway has been in operation since 1917 and was renovated in 1978 to allow the movement of vessels up to 30 meters long.

Casino Rama

Features the Dramatic “Mnjikanaing” Art Wall situated in Orillia.