Central Newfoundland Scenic Driving Routes Map - Road Trips Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, trails, Trans-Canada highway, secondary roads, national parks, provincial parks, provincial visitor information centres, provincial/national historic sites, ferries, airports, and natural scenic attractions in Central Newfoundland.

Previous version of the map (2016)

Central Newfoundland Scenic Driving Route

Overview

Central Newfoundland's scenic driving routes traverse the interior and northern coastal areas of the island, connecting communities along the Bay of Exploits, Notre Dame Bay, and Bonavista Bay. These routes follow the Trans-Canada Highway and branch routes that extend north to coastal regions, providing access to islands, historic sites, and marine environments.

Kittiwake Coast

The Kittiwake Coast encompasses the communities and routes around the Bay of Exploits and Notre Dame Bay. Route 340 extends north from Gander to Twillingate, covering approximately 100 kilometers. This route serves as the primary scenic drive in the region, passing through communities including Gander Bay, Boyd's Cove, and Twillingate town and islands.

Route 331 branches from Route 340 and extends to Musgrave Harbour and Lumsden, providing access to northeastern coastal communities. These routes offer views of numerous islands, coastal inlets, and the waters of Notre Dame Bay. The region is known for iceberg viewing during spring and early summer.

Road to the Islands

Route 330, known locally as the Road to the Islands, extends from the Trans-Canada Highway north to communities on New World Island and Change Islands. The route crosses a causeway to New World Island and provides ferry access to Change Islands and Fogo Island. The drive covers approximately 160 kilometers from the Trans-Canada junction to the ferry terminals.

Fogo Island, accessible via ferry from Farewell, is the largest offshore island in Newfoundland. The island features distinct communities, traditional architecture, and cultural heritage. A circular route around Fogo Island passes through settlements including Joe Batt's Arm, Tilting, and Shoal Bay, covering approximately 40 kilometers of paved road.

Discovery Trail

Route 230, the Discovery Trail, extends from the Trans-Canada Highway near Clarenville to Bonavista, a distance of approximately 100 kilometers. The route follows the Bonavista Peninsula north along Trinity Bay before reaching the peninsula's eastern coast. The drive passes through Trinity, a historically significant community with preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings.

Route 235 branches from Route 230 and travels to Port Union and Catalina. Route 238 provides access to communities on the western side of the Bonavista Peninsula. These interconnected routes allow for circular touring of the peninsula, with views of Trinity Bay, Bonavista Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Trans-Canada Highway Through Central Newfoundland

The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) traverses central Newfoundland from Clarenville in the east to Deer Lake in the west, passing through Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Bishop's Falls. This section covers approximately 380 kilometers and serves as the main corridor connecting the scenic coastal routes. The highway passes through boreal forest, crosses numerous rivers including the Exploits River, and provides access to several provincial parks.

Key Locations and Features

Twillingate

Twillingate, located at the northern terminus of Route 340, consists of communities on Twillingate Island and surrounding smaller islands connected by causeways. The area is noted for iceberg viewing from April through June, when ice from Arctic waters drifts southward along the coast. Long Point Lighthouse, located at the end of the north peninsula, provides a viewpoint for observing icebergs and coastal scenery.

Trinity

Trinity preserves heritage buildings and maintains its historical character as a 18th-century fishing and merchant community. The Trinity Historical Society operates the Trinity Museum, and several buildings are maintained as provincial heritage sites. The community has served as a filming location for period productions due to its preserved architecture. The Skerwink Trail, a popular coastal hiking path, begins near Trinity.

Bonavista

Bonavista occupies the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula and contains several historic sites including the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site, constructed in 1843. The lighthouse operates as a museum with restored keeper's quarters. A statue of John Cabot overlooks the cape, commemorating the belief that Cabot may have made landfall in the vicinity during his 1497 voyage.

Natural Features and Wildlife

The coastal waters of central Newfoundland support diverse marine life. Humpback whales feed in the areas during summer months, particularly near Twillingate and the Bonavista Peninsula. Seabirds including puffins, murres, kittiwakes, and gannets nest on coastal islands and cliffs. Various boat tour operators offer wildlife viewing excursions from communities including Twillingate, Trinity, and Bonavista.

Terra Nova National Park, located between Clarenville and Gander, provides hiking trails, camping facilities, and interpretive programs. The park protects boreal forest, coastal habitat, and marine environments along Newman Sound and adjacent coastal areas.

Services and Travel Information

Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor provide the main service centers in the region, with hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, and other services. Coastal communities offer tourist accommodations, though advance booking is recommended during peak summer season. Ferry services to Fogo Island and Change Islands operate year-round on published schedules, with reduced frequency during winter months.

Road conditions on primary routes are generally good, with paved surfaces on Route 330, Route 340, and Route 230. Some secondary roads and island routes may be narrower with limited shoulders. Weather conditions including fog can affect coastal areas, particularly during spring and early summer.

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 Tourist Map

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