If you’ve been watching Sterling Point and thinking, Wait… where exactly is this?, you’re not alone. Prime Video’s new coming-of-age drama has quickly become one of the shows of the summer, and for anyone in Ontario, there’s another reason to be obsessed: a huge part of the series was filmed right here in Ontario, with Muskoka providing much of the dreamy cottage-country backdrop.
Created by Canadian filmmaker Megan Park, Sterling Point follows 17-year-old Annie Jacobson, played by Ella Rubin, who travels from New York to a mysterious island in Canada after learning that she and her twin brother Connor have inherited it from their estranged grandfather.
The fictional Sterling Point itself doesn’t exist by that exact name per-say, but the Muskoka spots and scenery surrounding it very much does. Production took place across Ontario, including the Muskoka Lakes region, Toronto and other Southern Ontario locations.
So if watching Sterling Point has you wanting to book a cottage and disappear into Muskoka in the future, here are some of the real Ontario locations behind the show.
Mortimer’s Point Marina
One of the most recognizable real locations in Sterling Point is Mortimer’s Point Marina, a family-run marina in the Muskoka Lakes region.
The waterfront property appears throughout the series as part of the fictional lakeside community surrounding Sterling Point, helping establish the boating-and-cottage lifestyle that is such a huge part of the show’s setting.
Mortimer’s Point sits on Lake Muskoka, one of the region’s three major lakes alongside Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau, all of which are connected to the world created in the series.
If you’re visiting Muskoka this summer, the marina is a real working business rather than a movie set, so this is one location where you can actually see the setting that helped bring the show to life.
The Cottage That Looks Like Gordon’s House
Okay, this one is where things get pretty interesting. One of the most recognizable properties in Sterling Point is the cottage inherited by Annie and Connor, which becomes one of the central locations in the series.
The property appears to be a real historic Muskoka cottage, not a studio-built set. Reporting has identified it as Gordon Bay House on Lake Joseph, a historic property that has reportedly been maintained by the same family for generations.
The classic Muskoka architecture, waterfront setting and surrounding forest are pretty much cottage-country perfection, which makes it easy to understand why the production wanted a real property rather than recreating the look on a soundstage.
Important: This property is privately own and not a place to visit or seek-out in person… unless you snag a reservation on Airbnb during their limited-time rental windows.
Port Carling
Port Carling is the real-life Muskoka lakeside town that serveds as the show’s version of the fictional Sterling Point town centre.
The village sits at the junction of Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph, connected by the Indian River, and is often described as the hub of the Muskoka Lakes.
During the show’s scenes and intros, you’ll be able to see bird’s-eye footage of Port Carling town, including notable local businesses like the marina, Duke’s General Store, Duke Boats, and Muskoka Emporium, as well as the Port Carling wall/mural.
Port Carling is accessible to visitors year-round, but fair warning, if you’re heading there in the fall & winter, not much will be open. It’s most alive during summer months, and businesses typically close for the season starting end of September/first week of October, with some wrapping up by Labour Day.
Sparrow Lake Camp
The summer-camp scenes in Sterling Point were filmed at Sparrow Lake Camp near Severn, Ontario, another real location that brings a major piece of the show’s summer atmosphere to life.
The historic camp dates back to 1912 and sits on Sparrow Lake, giving the production exactly the kind of wooded, waterfront environment you’d expect from a nostalgic Canadian summer story.
Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau
Not every beautiful lake shot in Sterling Point corresponds to a single landmark you can put into Google Maps.
A lot of the show’s atmosphere comes from filming around the Muskoka Lakes region, particularly the area surrounding Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau.
That’s part of what makes the show feel so unmistakably Ontario. Muskoka is home to more than 1,600 lakes, and its cottage country landscape has been a major draw for generations of summer visitors.
Toronto Makes a Cameo, Too
Muskoka may be the star of Sterling Point, but Ontario’s biggest city also played a role in bringing the series to life.
The series also uses Toronto’s waterfront in the story, including scenes involving Toronto Island Airport (Billy Bishop Airport) as Annie begins her journey north toward Muskoka.
Want Your Own Sterling Point Summer?
You don’t need to inherit a mysterious island from a long-lost relative to get the Sterling Point experience.
Muskoka is very real, and it’s one of Ontario’s easiest destinations for a summer getaway filled with lake days, cottage stays, boating, restaurants, patios and plenty of time spent doing absolutely nothing by the water.
And if the show has you searching for a Muskoka cottage of your own, Cottage Vacations is a particularly fitting place to start!
Just maybe don’t expect to inherit an island when you arrive.
Find your cottage season inspo here!
