Burlington | Smith's Harbour

We decided to check out Burlington, because it is the home town of a really great comedian Shaun Majumder. Wanting to give back to the community, he has worked with the towns of Burlington, Middle Arm and Smith’s Harbour to “put it on the map” as one would say. For the last few years Burlington has been hosting “The Gathering” each summer, focusing on food, music and fire.

To reach Burlington you take HWY 410 north from the TCH (Trans Canada Highway), take Hwy 413 east from 410 to reach Burlington, Middle Arm and Smith’s Harbour.

We first found out about Burlington watching the TV show Majumder Manor. Shaun and his new wife Shelby start plans to build an Inn for tourists. Currently there is not much happening in Burlington. The community at one time had relied on the logging industry. The town was not drawing any tourists, because there are no restaurants and no place to stay.

In the first season of the show, with the support of the community, they built a greenhouse. The idea was to be able to supply fresh vegetables to the new Inn. We visited the greenhouse in June, where they had lots of plants underway for the new season. We just walked in and got a nice tour from the lady that was running things.

The lighthouse next to the greenhouse was also featured in one of the early Majumder Manor episodes. We next travelled to an abandoned wharf, pictured below. There are some interpretive signs describing Burlington’s former logging industry. We met the mayor’s wife, they live just up the street from the old wharf.

As you are entering Burlington, there is a small community park on your right, just before the bridge that crosses the rapids. The day we were there, some kids had set up a barbeque and were selling hot dogs to raise money. It worked out well, because there was no restaurant close by. We also met Rudy, one of the local characters from the show.

If you make the trip into Burlington, continue down to the end of the road to Smith’s Harbour. It’s a very pretty spot, with a government dock, fishing boats and a nice view of Green Bay.