Oshawa-Durham, Ontario on TransCanadaHighway.com
Why Visit Oshawa-Durham?
This area is the eastern end of the Golden Horseshoe manufacturing belt around Toronto (with Canada's major General Motors auto plant, right in Oshawa), but is best know for its Lake Ontario vistas, its access to the wine-making district of Prince Edward County (jutting into the middle of the Lake), and the lake-strewn cottage country of the Kawarthas and Halliburton (leading up to Algonquin Park).Oshawa has a population of over 140,000 and lies 60 km east of downtown Toronto, and is part of Durham Region which has 560,000 residents living along Toronto's eastern edge. Oshawa sits on Highway 401 connecting Toronto to Quebec and the Maritimes, and is the doorway to Ontario's Kawartha Lakes cottage country.
This area has recently become urbanized and has a number of communities in close succession, travelling east from Toronto are Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Uxbridge. These communities are both "bedroom communities" for Toronto and manufacturing centers in their own right. East of Oshawa are Bowmanville. , Port Hope, Cobourg, Trenton and Belleville. Just south of Trenton and Belleville is the Prince Edward County, a tourist mecca also becoming famous for its vineyards.
To the north, in the Kawartha Lakes region, which forms the backbone of the Trent-Severn waterway are the communities of Scugog-Lindsay and Peterborough. These communities are both manufacturing centres, regional shopping clusters and doorways to nearby recreational cottage country. In between these communities is farmland prized for its access to Toronto markets and area highways.
The area began to be settled by European immigrants after the American Revolution, when many British loyalists were granted land in Upper Canada along the shores of Lake Ontario. Later immigration of Irish followed by relocated French Canadians was supported by early industrialization.
By 1853, the Port of Oshawa was established, followed shortly by the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway connecting Toronto and Montreal. In 1858, the Oshawa Manufacturing Company grew into the largest producer of agricultural implements in Canada, followed in 1876 by McLaughlin's carriage works, which grew into todays' General Motors of Canada. The area developed into a significant industrial region during World War II, and has never looked back.
When the 401 and the St Lawrence Seaway were built in the 1950s and 1960s, market access let to further economic growth. More recently the addition of GO Train enabled these communities to be affordable bedroom communities for those working in downtown Toronto.
Away from Lake Ontario, along the recreational Trent-Severn Canal, lies a large "cottage country" region, which encompasses Lake Scugog, Rice Lake, and the Kawartha Lakes. Homes along or close to waterways and lakes have high recreational value to nearby city dwellers.
Today the Oshawa-Durham region has lots of variety in employment, with both blue collar and white collar options, and has excellent access to public and post-secondary education in the community.
Trans-Canada Highway History
Oshawa-Durham Communities Map
There are many communities around Oshawa, along the east-west Highway 401 (which IS NOT the Trans-Canada) roughtly following the lakeshore, and further north to the Kawartha cottage country extending north ot Algonquin Park.
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on "+" or "-" to zoom in or out. "Satellite" combines map & photo.
Oshawa-Durham Accommodation & Attractions
Here are a featured SAMPLING of hotels, motels, long-term accommodation, vacation rentals, lodges and campgrounds. For a complete (and searchable listing) use the red SEARCH feature at right.
Accommodations Directory Listings
Here are some of the hotels, motels, campgrounds, and lodges/cottages to be found along the Trans Canada Highway:
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Unwind and refresh at Hilton Garden Inn Toronto/Ajax hotel, located in Ajax near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Neighboring Ajax Convention Center, this hotel is close to Highway 401, just 35 miles from Toronto International Airport.
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Located on water, close to downtown Peterborough,
luxury accommodation, ground-level, keyed suites,
wheelchair accessable, ensuite baths, free wireless
internet, swimming, boating. fishing on site
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Sandy Beach Resort and Trailer Court is located on 40 spacious acres on the shores of beautiful Balsam Lake which is part of the Trent Severn Waterway. We have 11 overnight sites for motor homes, trailers, 5th wheels and pop-up campers.
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Close to the General Motors production plan, premium outlet stores, antique centers and Oshawa Generals hockey games. Ideal venue for business meetings, conventions,wedding receptions .
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Wonderful breakfast, welcoming environment and comfortable rooms with ensuites. Beautiful gardens, quiet surroundings. Restaurants nearby.
Cooking classes available
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TransCanadaHighway.com has lots of hotels,mnotels, beds & breakfast, long-term accommoodtion, and comprgrounds to choose form in and around Oshawa-Durham.
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Attractions Directory Listings
Here are some of the attractions, museums, historical sites, and sports activities to be found along the Trans Canada Highway:
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Winemaker Kimball Lacey is sinking his County roots deeper every year while Liz Lacey runs the well-appointed tasting room and retail store. Andrew Gray our Marketing director works alongside Kimball in the vineyard. C
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The tasting room is housed in an old farm house that was part of the original plot. The beams used in the ceiling are approximately 160 years old and came from a barn in Harrowsmith, North West of Kingston.
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Nestled on the north shore of Rice Lake, this 18 hole Championship course offers a challenge to golfers of all levels, with scenic views.
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check out our great golf course, wit its many challenging holes
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Great cars. Great rates. Great Srvice. Hertz is the preferred car rental company of CAA. Free customer pickup & return, Unlimited km rates. One-way rentals. daily, weekly, weekend rates.
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TransCanadaHighway.com has lots of attractions, festivals, tours, and things to see & do in and around Oshawa-Durham.
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