Avalon Tourist Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, Trans-Canada highway, secondary roads, national parks, provincial parks, campgrounds, provincial/national historic sites, airports, local ferries, summer ferries, ski areas, golf courses, and provincial visitor information centres in Avalon.

Previous version of the map (2016)

Avalon Attractions

Overview

The Avalon Peninsula serves as a major tourism destination in Newfoundland and Labrador, offering natural attractions, historical sites, and cultural experiences. The region's proximity to St. John's, the provincial capital, makes it accessible for visitors while providing diverse landscapes including coastal cliffs, seabird colonies, archaeological sites, and historic communities.

Natural Attractions

Seabird Colonies and Wildlife Viewing

The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve protects four islands that host North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony, with an estimated 260,000 pairs nesting annually. Boat tours operate from Bay Bulls and Witless Bay from late May through early September, providing opportunities to observe puffins, common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, and razorbills. Humpback whales and other marine mammals frequently appear in the waters around the islands.

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve on the Cape Shore offers land-based viewing of seabird colonies on Bird Rock, a sea stack located approximately 10 meters from the clifftop viewing area. The reserve hosts approximately 24,000 northern gannets, along with common murres, black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, and black guillemots. The site remains accessible year-round, though optimal viewing occurs during the breeding season from April through August.

Hiking and Outdoor Activities

The East Coast Trail is a long-distance coastal footpath extending 336 kilometers from Fort Amherst near St. John's to Cappahayden on the southern shore. The trail system includes 25 wilderness paths varying in difficulty and length, with sections ranging from 5 to 20 kilometers. Trail sections provide access to coastal scenery, abandoned communities, viewpoints, and natural features including sea stacks, waterfalls, and beaches.

Additional hiking opportunities exist throughout the peninsula, including trails at La Manche Provincial Park, Butter Pot Provincial Park, and various community trail systems. Coastal areas offer sea kayaking, and inland waterways provide canoeing opportunities.

Historic Sites and Cultural Attractions

St. John's

The capital city contains numerous heritage buildings, museums, and landmarks. Signal Hill National Historic Site overlooks the harbor and features Cabot Tower, built in 1897. The site marks the location where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. The Johnson Geo Centre, built into Signal Hill, presents exhibits on geology and natural history.

The Rooms provincial museum, art gallery, and archives facility opened in 2005 and houses collections relating to the province's history, culture, and art. Downtown St. John's features colorful row houses, shops, restaurants, and George Street, known for its concentration of live music venues.

Ferryland

The Colony of Avalon archaeological site in Ferryland excavates and interprets the remains of a 17th-century English colony established by George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, in 1621. The site includes an interpretation center displaying artifacts recovered from excavations and offers guided tours of the active archaeological dig. Excavations have revealed evidence of colonial structures, including a mansion house, forge, and cobblestone streets.

Heart's Content and Communication History

The Heart's Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site preserves the original cable station building and equipment from the operation of the transatlantic telegraph cable. The first successful permanent transatlantic cable landed at Heart's Content in 1866, establishing the first reliable telegraph connection between North America and Europe. The site contains original equipment and interpretive displays.

Communities and Heritage

Historic communities throughout the Avalon Peninsula maintain traditional architecture and cultural heritage. Brigus features 19th-century buildings including Hawthorne Cottage National Historic Site, the home of Captain Robert Bartlett, Arctic explorer. Cupids claims to be the site of John Guy's 1610 settlement, one of the earliest English colonies in Canada. Carbonear, Harbour Grace, and Bay Roberts preserve heritage buildings and maritime history.

Accommodations and Services

Tourist accommodations on the Avalon Peninsula include hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, vacation rentals, and campgrounds. St. John's offers the widest range of lodging options, dining facilities, and services. Communities along the scenic routes provide accommodations, though availability may be limited in smaller locations. Provincial parks at Butter Pot and La Manche offer camping facilities from May through September.

Access and Transportation

St. John's International Airport provides air access to the region. The peninsula's highway system connects communities and tourist destinations. Visitors typically require personal or rental vehicles to access sites outside St. John's, as public transportation is limited. The Marine Atlantic ferry service connects Argentia to North Sydney, Nova Scotia, during summer months, providing an alternative access route.

Seasonal Considerations

Tourism season on the Avalon Peninsula peaks from June through September, when weather conditions are most favorable and all attractions operate regular hours. Seabird viewing is optimal from May through August during breeding season. Wildlife viewing, particularly whales, occurs most frequently from June through September. Some attractions, trails, and accommodations close or operate reduced hours outside the summer season. Weather conditions throughout the year can include fog, rain, and wind, requiring appropriate clothing and preparation.

Newfoundland and Labrador Highways Maps: | Large detailed map of Newfoundland and Labrador with cities and towns | Newfoundland and Labrador road map | Newfoundland and Labrador Highways Map | Newfoundland and Labrador Airports Map

Maps of Labrador: Map of Labrador | Labrador Scenic Driving Routes Map | Labrador Tourist Map | Map of Labrador with towns

Maps of Newfoundland: Map of Newfoundland | Newfoundland Road Map | Western Newfoundland Tourist Map | Western Newfoundland Scenic Driving Routes Map | Eastern Newfoundland Tourist Map | Eastern Newfoundland Scenic Driving Routes Map | Central Newfoundland Scenic Driving Routes Map | Central Newfoundland Tourist Map

Maps of Avalon Peninsula: Map of Avalon Peninsula | Avalon Scenic Driving Routes Map