The Ojibwa called the place Shebahonaning, meaning “here is a safe canoe channel,” and early traders and explorers used the channel on their voyages between Georgian Bay and Lake Superior.

Etienne Augustin de la Morandiére, became the first white settler in the area when he established a trading post on the channel in 1820, and the crops and cattle he raised helped Killarney become an important fishing community on the north shore. Access to the town was limited to boats until Highway 637 was completed in 1962.

Parking is difficult as there is no designated parking. The best idea is to park on the main road and make the short trek to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse offers a pleasant walk and is the perfect place to snap some pictures. The views of the Georgian Bay are breathtaking, and wildlife like turtles, birds and fish can all be found here.

Photo: Louie Luo, CC BY-SA 4.0