Imagine it: an island all to yourself on Lake Muskoka. “For many people,” says realtor Maggie Tomlinson, “that’s the dream.” The attraction lies, perhaps, in being surrounded by water. The tranquility and freedom of isolation appeal to the same primal elements in our natures that are drawn to Muskoka’s stark wildness. “At the same time,” says Maggie, “some people hesitate to look at island properties, assuming they mean sacrificing convenience—but that’s definitely not the case on Rockwood Island.”
ROCKWOOD ISLAND, A SPECTACULAR NEW LISTING FROM BROKER, MAGGIE TOMLINSON, AND HER BUSINESS PARTNER, REALTOR ANDREA CARTWRIGHT, IS A WHOLE ISLAND BOASTING 2 ACRES WHERE ISLAND-LIFE BECKONS.
A short boat ride brings you from the marina to the island’s graceful shores. According to Andrea, it’s the best of all worlds: “You find the seclusion that so many people seek in order to really recharge from city life,” she says, “but all the services, amenities, and opportunities for fun that Muskoka offers are within easy reach.”
You’ll feel yourself shedding the hustle and bustle of daily routines before you even step on Rockwood Island. Prepare to be charmed as you see it come into view across the sparkling lake, encircled by ancient granite at the water’s edge, thick with stately pines, and dotted with hardy junipers.
Winding trails through the island bring you to multiple vantage points, including magnificent Sunset Point, where the island’s gentle breeze keeps the insects at bay while you enjoy the wide painted sky. Perennial gardens and flagstone pathways bring storybook prettiness to the cottage’s surroundings. And for the young and not-so-young adventurer, the island offers the ideal place to explore, swim, paddle, and snorkel.
At the heart of the island, peeking out from between the pines, is the main residence, a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom handcrafted post-and-beam cottage. Impeccably built and featuring scribed red pine log walls, this classic example of old Muskoka character offers all the warmth and convenience of a newer cottage while embodying classic Muskoka cottage design.
Take in lake views in comfort from the spacious exposed-beam, screened Muskoka room, for example, and warm up on chilly nights in front of the great room’s natural stone wood-burning fireplace, which stretches to a cathedral ceiling. The same stone makes a striking statement wall in the principal bedroom, where wide windows allow for cross-breezes and the absolute best views Muskoka has to offer. On the front of the cottage, a massive deck with glass railings looks over the water—equally perfect for small and large gatherings and moments of quiet contemplation. A boat port with two slips and a wide sun-drenched swim dock invite you to play on the water, lounge in the sun, tour the lake, or take a quick trip to the mainland.
Even with all its attributes, there’s more to Rockwood Island than meets the eye. If you’re interested in the history of Muskoka, there’s plenty to dig into.
Those cabins still stand today, in remarkably good condition, offering a physical connection to a history so interwoven with the lake. Artifacts from the era, including antique ice-saws and bottles, have been recovered over the years. Then, half a century later, the island became home to a sailing school. “It’s easy to understand the appeal of the location,” explains Andrea, “because of its proximity to Beaumaris.”
Each new family shapes a cottage and its property by bringing its own individual dreams and plans. And thanks to impeccable maintenance over decades, the property and its outbuildings are in exceptional condition, reflecting years of careful stewardship.
Many buyers today see privacy as luxury, and few properties can deliver that luxury to the degree that a private island does. Rarer yet is the private island that requires no sacrifices to convenience or community. This property promises you the best of two worlds: go to the heart of Muskoka, and get away from it all.
Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
110 Medora Street, P.O. Box 444,
Port Carling, Ontario P0B 1J0
Maggie: Ph: 705-644-9283
Andrea: Ph: 705-380-1183
E-Mail: [email protected]
