The Amazing Race Canada has been to some incredible places—Banff, Whistler, Niagara Falls, among many others—and now in the twelfth season, Kawarthas Northumberland is joining that list. In the 5th episode, Competitors battled their way through a series of challenges that used some of the region’s best-loved locations as a backdrop.
In case you’d like to retrace the competitors’ steps and visit those filming locations in real life, we’ve complied a step-by-step itinerary.
Stop #1: Rogers Cove
After racing from Montreal to Peterborough, teams faced their first hurdle at Rogers Cove. In a nod to The Kawarthas’ cottage country reputation, they raced through a gauntlet of popular lawn games surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastically cheering locals. Ladder toss, cornhole, and frisnok (knocking an object off a pole with a frisbee) put their dexterity and coordination to the test.
When it isn’t starring on television, Rogers Cove can be a relaxing place to visit. The Trans-Canada Trail passes through the park and beside scenic Little Lake, en route to the Trent-Severn Trail Towns Lindsay in the west or Hastings in the east. A splash pad helps kids cool off in the hotter months, but you’ll need to bring your own lawn games to Rogers Cove (and your own cheering section).
Stop #2: The Canadian Canoe Museum
The Amazing Race Canada often highlights a region’s most significant features, so The Canadian Canoe Museum was a shoo-in. Competitors browsed the collection hall of over 500 historically significant canoes, searching for a pair of canoes that matched the clues provided.
The collection hall, however, is only part of the appeal. The Canadian Canoe Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft, and features an extraordinary series of exhibitions, a studio space, and waterfront facilities. Check the museum’s website to learn more about visiting hours.
Stop #3: Little Lake
If players didn’t choose the Inside portion of the first Detour and visited the museum, they faced an obstacle course in Peterborough’s Little Lake. Teams had seven minutes to complete a challenge that tested core canoeing skills like backpaddling and portaging—and took a dip in the brisk May water as the price of failure.
For paddlers confident in their abilities, Little Lake provides a relaxing daytrip in view of urban Peterborough. Launching from The Canadian Canoe Museum’s docks is free and easy. For those who need rentals or instruction, check the Paddling Experiences section of the museum’s website.
Stop #4: Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
After leaving The Canadian Canoe Museum, teams raced to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 2785 Television Rd, Peterborough. There they met a resident snapping turtle and helped out by cleaning the habitat tanks in order to receive the next clue.
The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 2785 Television Rd, Peterborough is a registered charity dedicated to treating, rehabilitating, and protecting Ontario’s eight native species of turtle. The Turtle Hospital treats turtles injured by vehicles, fishing catches, and other reasons, while the Education Centre helps raise awareness about these remarkable reptiles. Check their website to learn more and find the visiting hours.
Stop #5: Bobcaygeon
Kawarthas Northumberland is known for The Butter Tart Tour, and Bobcaygeon is home to the original Kawartha Dairy Company plant, headquarters, and retail store. The second-to-last stop combined two of the region’s sweetest treats by challenging teams to memorize butter tart or ice cream orders and deliver them by cycle rickshaw to locations around town.
Visitors following in the teams’ footsteps won’t have any trouble finding the fun in Bobcaygeon. This unique Trent-Severn Trail Town is based around three islands connected by bridges, and packed with cafés, restaurants, shops, parks, and more. To grab a butter tart, stop by at Bobcaygeon Bakery; Kawartha Dairy is the perfect place to go for a scoop of Bobcaygeon’s favourite ice cream.
Final Stop: Lock 31, Buckhorn
After leaving Bobcaygeon, teams dashed to Buckhorn’s Lock 31 for a Pit Stop beside the iconic buck statue. Who made it first, and who was last to arrive? That’s spoiler territory, so we’ll keep the details under wraps for the sake of viewers who haven’t caught up just yet.
What we can say is that Buckhorn welcomes travellers from all across Canada and the world. Also a Trent-Severn Trail Town, it’s a place where the creature comforts of cottage country and the rugged landscape of the Canadian Shield are in perfect harmony. Grab a bite at a Trail Town Friendly Business, or bring a picnic to enjoy waterside and watch the boats coming in and out of the lock. You might even be tempted to book a stay at a nearby accommodation—after exploring, you can head back and catch up on the latest episode of The Amazing Race Canada.
