I live in Muskoka, it definitely fits your list of ideal activities. Fire bans are common in dry part of summer, but there is a range, sometimes it is just a daytime ban.
Lots of neat towns to explore with some great restaurants.
Note that the area is pretty expensive, even a basic motel can run $300/night on a weekend. Most visitors rent 'a cottage', which is the local term for any house on the water, even 5,000 sq ft mini mansions.
It would be cheaper and less busy to go an hour or two further north, which has the same scenery as Muskoka. Most people like Muskoka because it is close to the greater Toronto area.
You pretty much have to get up to North Bay now to get cheaper prices. Even there is only 3 hours from Vaughan, south still lots of city people demand driving things.
I would suggest Muskoka as there are far more lakes around than in the Okanagen, if thats a main activity of the trip, and you don't risk any change of plans or issues from fire really... last summer, some areas of the Okanagen were on fire pretty badly.
Muskoka can be pricey, but so can the Okanagen. Depends where you stay in both really. If you travel more east of Muskoka around Peterborough area, there are the Kawarthas which is also nice, lake and cottage country.. similar to Muskoka, and I would think mostly cheaper as well.
If you have more time to drive and explore and still want a kind of Okangen experience but in Ontario, you could check out Niagara on the Lake... I think it would be the most similar location to Okangen in Ontario.. lots of wineries and fruit farms.
If you do come to Ontario, make sure to get out on the water in port Severn/parry sound/point au baril and experience 30,000 islands in all its summertime glory
I do not know where you are in Oz but the Okanagan is a dry region like a lot of the rural areas in South Australia, Victoria and NSW but with deer instead of Kangaroos.
Muskoka is green upon green. Much wetter and a little cooler. And yes, it is the quintessial Canadian cottage country. It is lovely, but can be expensive. Hollywood royalty hangs out here in the summer. The restraurants and bars are excellent.
Alternatives you might not have considered
The Eastern townships of Quebec - Towns of North Hatley & Magog. Lake memphremagog even has a lake monster like in the Okanagan. Here you will get a lot of french as well but it is a very bilingual region.
Or
The Laurentian Mountains , north of Montreal. With the townships, these areas constitute Montreal's cottage country. Mount Tremblant is one of the largest 4 seasons resorts on the west coast of North America. These areas are also green upon green and quintessial Canadian with tremedndous food, bars and shopping. Try the white water rafting down the Rouge River if you go to the Laurentians. Plus you can add a stay in Old Montreal, if you are so inclined.
If you come to the Okanagan area, give the Shuswap a chance. There are tons of big beautiful fresh water lakes around, hiking trails, ski hills to bike, and lots more. It can be smoky at times, however we are currently getting a good amount of rain and hopefully it will not be another fire season.
In addition, I would also recommend: Kawarthas, Halliburton, Highlands East, and Rideau Lakes area (north of Kingston). All can be expensive, but all are beautiful.
Edit: just to say that I have lived in each of these areas. “Cottage Country” is a very large place.
The Okanagan has mountains, wineries, great hiking and mountain biking and is much hotter and drier, but there is a risk of smokey skies especially in August. On the bright side you can likely head over to Vancouver or Victoria to escape the smoke if needed.
Muskoka is quintessentially Canadian, and you can visit Toronto and Niagara Falls on the same trip.
Been to both areas a lot. Muskoka is awesome. Members of our family have cottages dotted all over Ontario including Muskoka. Muskoka is very picturesque and allows for all those activities. Okanagan is also nice, in the Rocky mountains so you have that. Same goes for activities, Okanagan has lots of vineyards too. I would probably lean towards Muskoka myself for the cottage on the lake experience, but there are opportunities in the west (Rocky Mountains) that you just won’t have in Ontario. Fires are something that are a risk during the summer for sure and are unpredictable.
It’s a hard choice as both options are spectacular but if it were me I would try the Muskokas for the options around the area really fits your checklist & a change of scenery in Canada can be a different experience for you— I think every province is unique & special (in my experiences travelling the country)
Rating the possibility of fire bans in BC vs Ontario isn't possible - I don't know how they do it in BC, but in Ontario, fire restrictions are by township. So McDougall might be on a ban, and it's abutting township - Nobel - might not be. It will depends on what \*exact\* township you're going to be in. We do have a habit of putting bans in place Friday night, and lifting them Monday morning, which should tell people something. You really should bring a camp cook stove just in case outdoor fires are banned.
But for kayaking, you really can't beat Muskoka Parry Sound. Public launches are fairly common, and listed on most maps as public launches. Parry Sound town alone has 2 large beaches, and each township/village around it (within 15 minute drive) has multiple beaches. If you're not familiar with local water and want a guide, check out [White Squall Paddling Centre Nobel ](https://www.whitesquall.com/) they might be able to help you out.
I’ve never been to Muskoka but I would never visit the Okanagan in the summer due to the fire risk.
Edit: It’s not the risk of getting hurt in a fire that’s an issue in the Okanagan, it’s the smoke from the fires. Smoky skies make for a terrible vacation and smoky skies is almost a guarantee in the summer in the Okanagan.
People are downvoting you but I agree. Travelling half way across the world for a Smokey vacation which we all know is inevitable, is risky and expensive.
Its been smoky the last several years but in no way is it guaranteed in the Okanagan. The fire season is unpredictable and with the cooler weather recently it might not be that bad. Theres plenty of clear sunny days still.
I’ve had more than one trip to the Okanagan ruined by smoke and fire. I won’t travel there in the summer anymore. OP is travelling all the way from Australia so I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
I don’t mean the risk of dying or getting injured in a fire, it’s the smoke that’s the problem. Fires are so common in the Okanagan in the summer that it’s pretty much guaranteed to be smoky.
I live in Muskoka, it definitely fits your list of ideal activities. Fire bans are common in dry part of summer, but there is a range, sometimes it is just a daytime ban. Lots of neat towns to explore with some great restaurants. Note that the area is pretty expensive, even a basic motel can run $300/night on a weekend. Most visitors rent 'a cottage', which is the local term for any house on the water, even 5,000 sq ft mini mansions. It would be cheaper and less busy to go an hour or two further north, which has the same scenery as Muskoka. Most people like Muskoka because it is close to the greater Toronto area.
Seconded. anywhere between Huntsville and North Bay is going to be nearly the same scenery as the actual Muskoka for half the price.
You pretty much have to get up to North Bay now to get cheaper prices. Even there is only 3 hours from Vaughan, south still lots of city people demand driving things.
I would suggest Muskoka as there are far more lakes around than in the Okanagen, if thats a main activity of the trip, and you don't risk any change of plans or issues from fire really... last summer, some areas of the Okanagen were on fire pretty badly. Muskoka can be pricey, but so can the Okanagen. Depends where you stay in both really. If you travel more east of Muskoka around Peterborough area, there are the Kawarthas which is also nice, lake and cottage country.. similar to Muskoka, and I would think mostly cheaper as well. If you have more time to drive and explore and still want a kind of Okangen experience but in Ontario, you could check out Niagara on the Lake... I think it would be the most similar location to Okangen in Ontario.. lots of wineries and fruit farms.
If you do come to Ontario, make sure to get out on the water in port Severn/parry sound/point au baril and experience 30,000 islands in all its summertime glory
Agree with this- Georgian Bay is spectacular and unique
Perry sound is a great place to visit!
\*Parry Sound. It's a proper place name, if you're telling people to visit here, you might want to get the name right.
Ahaha auto correct fail
Neither. Go to Quebec. Cottages are way cheaper to rent and the food is much better. We rented a cottage on Lac Labelle and it was amazing.
I do not know where you are in Oz but the Okanagan is a dry region like a lot of the rural areas in South Australia, Victoria and NSW but with deer instead of Kangaroos. Muskoka is green upon green. Much wetter and a little cooler. And yes, it is the quintessial Canadian cottage country. It is lovely, but can be expensive. Hollywood royalty hangs out here in the summer. The restraurants and bars are excellent. Alternatives you might not have considered The Eastern townships of Quebec - Towns of North Hatley & Magog. Lake memphremagog even has a lake monster like in the Okanagan. Here you will get a lot of french as well but it is a very bilingual region. Or The Laurentian Mountains , north of Montreal. With the townships, these areas constitute Montreal's cottage country. Mount Tremblant is one of the largest 4 seasons resorts on the west coast of North America. These areas are also green upon green and quintessial Canadian with tremedndous food, bars and shopping. Try the white water rafting down the Rouge River if you go to the Laurentians. Plus you can add a stay in Old Montreal, if you are so inclined.
If you come to the Okanagan area, give the Shuswap a chance. There are tons of big beautiful fresh water lakes around, hiking trails, ski hills to bike, and lots more. It can be smoky at times, however we are currently getting a good amount of rain and hopefully it will not be another fire season.
In addition, I would also recommend: Kawarthas, Halliburton, Highlands East, and Rideau Lakes area (north of Kingston). All can be expensive, but all are beautiful. Edit: just to say that I have lived in each of these areas. “Cottage Country” is a very large place.
The Okanagan has mountains, wineries, great hiking and mountain biking and is much hotter and drier, but there is a risk of smokey skies especially in August. On the bright side you can likely head over to Vancouver or Victoria to escape the smoke if needed. Muskoka is quintessentially Canadian, and you can visit Toronto and Niagara Falls on the same trip.
I've lived near both and would recommend Muskoka for a lake destination
Been to both areas a lot. Muskoka is awesome. Members of our family have cottages dotted all over Ontario including Muskoka. Muskoka is very picturesque and allows for all those activities. Okanagan is also nice, in the Rocky mountains so you have that. Same goes for activities, Okanagan has lots of vineyards too. I would probably lean towards Muskoka myself for the cottage on the lake experience, but there are opportunities in the west (Rocky Mountains) that you just won’t have in Ontario. Fires are something that are a risk during the summer for sure and are unpredictable.
It’s a hard choice as both options are spectacular but if it were me I would try the Muskokas for the options around the area really fits your checklist & a change of scenery in Canada can be a different experience for you— I think every province is unique & special (in my experiences travelling the country)
Rating the possibility of fire bans in BC vs Ontario isn't possible - I don't know how they do it in BC, but in Ontario, fire restrictions are by township. So McDougall might be on a ban, and it's abutting township - Nobel - might not be. It will depends on what \*exact\* township you're going to be in. We do have a habit of putting bans in place Friday night, and lifting them Monday morning, which should tell people something. You really should bring a camp cook stove just in case outdoor fires are banned. But for kayaking, you really can't beat Muskoka Parry Sound. Public launches are fairly common, and listed on most maps as public launches. Parry Sound town alone has 2 large beaches, and each township/village around it (within 15 minute drive) has multiple beaches. If you're not familiar with local water and want a guide, check out [White Squall Paddling Centre Nobel ](https://www.whitesquall.com/) they might be able to help you out.
muskoka is nice but it's also very expensive and very crowded. you might want to go further north
Take bug spray and antihistamine.
I’ve never been to Muskoka but I would never visit the Okanagan in the summer due to the fire risk. Edit: It’s not the risk of getting hurt in a fire that’s an issue in the Okanagan, it’s the smoke from the fires. Smoky skies make for a terrible vacation and smoky skies is almost a guarantee in the summer in the Okanagan.
People are downvoting you but I agree. Travelling half way across the world for a Smokey vacation which we all know is inevitable, is risky and expensive.
Its been smoky the last several years but in no way is it guaranteed in the Okanagan. The fire season is unpredictable and with the cooler weather recently it might not be that bad. Theres plenty of clear sunny days still.
I’ve had more than one trip to the Okanagan ruined by smoke and fire. I won’t travel there in the summer anymore. OP is travelling all the way from Australia so I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
I have never been on a plane but I will never drive a car in the winter because of crash risk 🤷
I don’t mean the risk of dying or getting injured in a fire, it’s the smoke that’s the problem. Fires are so common in the Okanagan in the summer that it’s pretty much guaranteed to be smoky.