World Canada Ontario Sudbury

Kings Travels

Fathom Five National Marine Park 27 Aug 2008

Finally, after 2 previous attempts we succeed in our quest to see this Marine Park at the top of the Bruce Peninsula. After checking with the weatherman, and making sure we had our seasickness pills handy we set off on a 300km drive to Tobermory where the boat leaves from. If you asked us to drive to Taupo from home to go for a cruise on the lake we'd think you're nuts, but this is the equivalent!

Tobermory is a little harbour village which consists of two deep natural harbours (or tubs) called obviously Little Tub and Big Tub Harbours. They go straight down at the sides for about 15m and have a sandy bottom...like a bath tub. Crystal clear water is excellent for scuba diving and exploring shipwrecks of the 19th century. The two wrecks that are visible from the surface are both in Big Tub Harbour. The 36.3 metre 'Sweepstakes' was a 2-masted schooner, which ran aground in 1885, was towed to this location and is now 2 metres below the surface. Next to 'her' is the 37.3 metre steamer 'City of Grand Rapids' which caught fire in 1907 and burnt to the water line then sank. Very cool to view these from above in the 21st century! There are about 20 other wrecks in the park but need to don scuba gear to view them.

Fathom Five National Marine Park consists of 20 islands, the most famous being Flowerpot Island. This 200 hectare island gets its name from the two unusual rock formations on its eastern shore. Our boat captain said they are created by waves 35-40 foot high eroding the island bedrock. Its hard to imagine this as we cruise on dead flat seas today! This is the only island in the park that people can get off to hike and camp. Though we did see some other tourists walking around Cove Island, which is home to the Mississauga rattlesnake and also a few bears! This area reminds us of the beautiful Bay of Islands...without the wildlife of course. We even saw a Bald Eagle nesting atop a tree! This is sooooo cool! It is still summer holidays here so there were people in kayaks, dingys, jet ski's, zodiaks, super sleek jet boats etc etc everywhere.

We also learnt that in winter the water 2km from the shore freezes, with ice 2 foot thick. The animals venture back and forth from the islands.. Back in Tobermory we buy a postcard of the winter scenes! This is very hard to imagine, and us Kiwi's feel quite naive and a little soft!!

Back on land, as usual the hunger pangs have set in and Steph decides its time to try one of the 'Beaver Tails' we have heard so much about. Not tails of Beavers, but a delicious hot pastry treat in the shape of the beavers tail. Called "Triple Trip' this tail is first covered in chocolate, then M&M's, topped with warm runny peanut butter....!!

No dinner for her that night! They also come in normal flavours.

Home the normal way....via beaches, roads, towns, fire stations not seen before.